Shiloh Rifle Forums

I found a photo of a tang sight on a Sharps NM 1859, in the possession of a member of Co. E, 1st USSS, named Ozias Sanford:
http://www.deadfred.com/photos/62313.jpg

Had to be taken in 1864 or 1865.

I found a letter for sale, dated May 6, 1864, written by Sanford to his father about the Battle of the Wilderness. One line in the letter said: "I tried my new sights and they work well." Obviously referring to the tang sight in the photo.

So, I googled "Ozias Sanford" to see what was out there. Came across the above photo showing a picture of the sight that he wrote his father about after the Battle of the Wilderness. So I decided to relieve the dealer of the burden of having that letter.

Bottom line: nothing wrong with putting a tang sight on a NM 1859 or 1863. It's documented that it WAS done.

I have seen a number of military 1859s and conversions and none were drilled for a tang sight, so I assume the factory did not do it as a matter of course. Special order or a local gunsmith maybe??

why would they need to be drilled, why not use the existing screws on the tang that goes throught the stock, all the would have to be is they would need to be a bit longer, in fact that is what i plan on doing to my converted '63 in 50/70 3 band. I would say that is what the gov/person did, when they added the tang sight

Buffalo Bob,
I sent you a message about the tubes, but they changed the forum today and I am not sure you got it, it works different then it use to. email me at tmorisco@swva.net , if you didn't

The sight in the photo appears to be one of the sporting sights made by the Sharps Company. Does not appear to have the eye cup.
OPS

Maybe I misunderstood the basis of your original post. I suppose I could braze an 03-A3 rear sight the receiver of any Sharps, take a photo of it, and then claim that 03-A3 rear sights were used, at least one time, on a Sharps. If you mean that the factory produced tang sights for use as a matter of course on 1859 military models, and at the time of manufacture of the 1859s, then I have to say I never heard, viewed, or read of anything of the like. It sounds like you found the one person who customized his assigned rifle for his own use. I recall my friends' parents shipping them hot rodded ammunition for use in Nam, too. Most "mysteries," especially when backed up by a genuine photograph, are not actually mysteries in the sense that while a viewer lacks the knowlwdge of the facts, somewhere back in time, someone did know the facts. There is a rather famous photograph of a union soldier dressed "half-militarily" standing against or near a tree, with with bowie knife stuck through the belt in his pants. For years I read captions in numerous photographic Civil War books that stated: "Unknown Union Soldier," or something similar. About a month ago I saw a book on the 4th Michigan, and there is the same soldier, name: Richard Cramer. Someone knew, most if not all forgot, then someone found the information again. You did about the same thing here, but that does not show that 1859s between the numbers used or had mounts for tang sights as a matter of course, especially because you may have found one if not the only exception.

Looks genuine to me.

http://rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/42/lid/3089

best, barvid

My two (2) cents worth: that picture been around for a long time. I'm 59 and I remember seeing that Yankee photo when I was in High School. Now cut too the chase. I belong to a group of former Special Forces sharpshooters all of us are in our 50's or so. When we get together we shoot just for bragging rites. Well my 1863 is going to go with the tang sight from MVA. And that is the way how it is mounted: by replacing the former tang screws with newer longer ones. Just the way it was done in the War of Southern Independence. As a group we try to stay within the period. Just that no-more no-less have a great day guys. Mike