Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes a scope that looks right on a sidelock? I know that scopes weren't usually on them in the old days, but I remember seeing a pic of a hawken with a long brass scope on it. Or was that just a peep sight?
I just ordered my first Muzzleloader. A Lyman Trade Rifle from www.dnrsports.com
Thanks Cayugad for that link in another thread.
I like to shoot with iron sights, but my eyes aren't what they used to be and I need all the help I can get.

I dont remember which site it was on but one of the sites that has parts for building muzzle loading rifles has a copy of the old long brass scope for sale. Lee

http://www.leatherwoodoptics.com/home-malcolm.html try that one..

Whew. 419 bucks. Guess I'll be shooting with iron sights! Ha!
Ever see one with a tang sight ?

When you said tang sight did you mean a peep sight?





My eyes are 60 years old so I stopped shooting the hawkins as I just could not get the sights and target to focus together. I bought a used Winchester Modle 94 with a lyman peep sight on it. Lo and beholdI could shoot it and the sights just seemed to line up naturaly and in focus.
Longbow bowhunter on this site sent me this T/C peep for my Hawkins and I love it.

This is the groups I got with it useing cross sticks at 50 yards.


Al

That's right on the money, Al. When I was growing up my grandpa in Idaho had an original Winchester 1873 model with a peep sight. he called it a tang sight , I guess because it mounted on the tang. I reckon that's why I still call 'em tang sights.
I'll check the Lyman site and maybe get one for my new Trade Rifle.
I appreciate the input.

I remember the sight he had would flip up from the tang of the rifle.

If your shooting a Hawkins, is there really a need for a Verner Tang Peep Sight? I see them more in line for a 45/70 breech loader type rifle. Would a simple Lyman 57 SMT peep with removable aperture work as well? That is if it would work.

It would seem so. I'm probably going to wait and see how I'm able to shoot with thefactory sights before I do anything else. But the sight Al has on his Hawken looks good with the rifle.

Went to the Lyman site and looked at the 57 SMET. May work on the Trade rifle, we'll see.

I don't know if Lyman still makes and sells the old number 2 peep sight. It is what is on my Winny 94, it folds down and has a small lever to lock it in the up postiton.
Also I am sure the T/C can be mounted on the tang of your trade rifle.
I will also check to see if Marble still makes their peep sight.

Al