I stumbled into my first 1874 Shiloh Sharps and the front sight is missing the spirit level and one of the thumb screws that retain the level itself.

I could use some help identifying the make and model so I can attempt to get the missing parts along with some additional inserts for it.

Does anyone know what this is? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

From the side:

Shiloh Front Sight by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

Top view with the insert retainer/spirit level holder closed:

Shiloh Front Sight by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

From the top with the retainer opened up:

Shiloh Front Sight by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

The retainer and insert removed from the sight:

Shiloh Front Sight by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

The rifle itself:

Shiloh Front Sight by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

45-70 with a 34" bbl weighing 11#s. I am so happy to own this and can't wait to shoot it.

I have a sight just like that on a Meacham highwall. It's basically a Winchester sight copy. I think the sight might be made by Riflesmith but I'm not 100% certain.

I would contact Jim Kluskins at Distant Thunder BPCR. It's almost certain that he could make inserts for it.

Chris.

By the way Doug, I have a rifle identical to your new Shiloh. I bought it second hand years ago and it's an excellent rifle. It's not too picky about bullets as it'll shoot most any reasonable bullet. Lately I've been using the Baco 459535M4 and it shoots well from 200 to 900 yards with Swiss 1.5 or OE 1.5 powder.

Chris.

(11-12-2017, 12:10 AM)Gunlaker Wrote: I have a sight just like that on a Meacham highwall. It's basically a Winchester sight copy. I think the sight might be made by Riflesmith but I'm not 100% certain.

I would contact Jim Kluskins at Distant Thunder BPCR. It's almost certain that he could make inserts for it.

Chris.

Thanks Chris, I'll have to look into that. Or maybe I'll just change it out.

(11-12-2017, 12:13 AM)Gunlaker Wrote: By the way Doug, I have a rifle identical to your new Shiloh. I bought it second hand years ago and it's an excellent rifle. It's not too picky about bullets as it'll shoot most any reasonable bullet. Lately I've been using the Baco 459535M4 and it shoots well from 200 to 900 yards with Swiss 1.5 or OE 1.5 powder.

Chris.

I'll be looking for load development help for sure. I'm glad to hear your rifle isn't too picky, hopefully mine will follow suit. I get to a 1,000 yard range a few times a year so I'll be looking to stretch it out and see what I can do.

If you decide to replace the entire front sight, I recommend checking out the Distant Thunder front sights. I have a couple of them and like them more than any other front sight.

Chris.

Jim at Distant Thunder will make you an insert. He made one for me that was spot on for an old original sight I have that looks just like yours. You might ask him about the level bracket screw too. I have ordered a vial from Track of the Wolf for the level. The ones MVA and C Sharps sell did not fit it. I'll let you know if it fits my level bracket.

Thanks guys.

I appreciate all the help.

I've finally had the opportunity to snap some better photos of the rifle.

I'm so happy this fell into my lap. It's been ten years since I loaded black powder into a cartridge. I'm eager to begin again.

Untitled by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

Untitled by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

Untitled by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

Untitled by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

Untitled by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

Track of the Wolf has a level vial that will fit that level bracket. I have a sight just like it and the clear vial that is .220 is the one that fits. I just put one in my sight level.

(11-20-2017, 10:15 AM)Fogman01 Wrote: Track of the Wolf has a level vial that will fit that level bracket. I have a sight just like it and the clear vial that is .220 is the one that fits. I just put one in my sight level.

Thank you for the good info. I've decided to replace the sight with one from Distant Thunder.

Upon returning to this thread I see I mistakenly deleted the photos in the original post. Here's some of the sight in question:

Front Sight by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

Front Sight by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

Front Sight by Doug Hansen, on Flickr

Front Sight by Doug Hansen, on Flickr