Dovetail measurement

[Hanz]

I'd like to order a replacement front sight for my Shiloh Sharps 1874 from Distant Thunder and I don't want to screw this up.

I drifted out the front sight (left to right) and have measured the base of the sight at .4365" and 7/16 is .4375".







What has me confused (it's easy to do ) is they list a .450" that they have labeled as Shiloh.

"It is currently available in 3/8" dovetail as well as .450" (Shiloh) and 7/16" (C. Sharps) dovetails."

I know you can't argue with the measurement of what I have. Anyone else have a Shiloh with a 7/16 front sight dovetail?

[Don McDowell]

Is that a new rifle or and older Farmer?

[Hanz]

I was told it was made in July 1999 as a Long Range Express.

It's a tapered 34" barrel.

[Don McDowell]

I'm betting they used the 7/16 dovetail. Might drop Jim (distant thunder) an email and visit with him about it. He's a member here too, maybe he'll chime in.

[Hanz]

I will be calling Distant Thunder to order as I have some aperture questions.

Fun fact: Farmingdale, NY is about 10 miles south of my work.

[Don McDowell]

That is a fun fact.

[Kurt]

Hanz just follow Jims directions below and he will get what you need.

" This is the best way to measure a dovetail for custom sizes or to be sure what standard size your rifle requires.
Use two small drill bits of the same size, 1/16" work best.
Place the drill bits in the dovetail with the shank ends set into the the "V"s of the dovetail.
Use your dial calipers to measure between the drill bits. Measure it three times, you should get very nearly the same dimension all three times (+.001").
Just tell me what size drill bits you used and what the measurement was and I can cut the dovetail to fit with just enough to allow for a little fitting."
Kurt

[Gunlaker]

The newer Shiloh's are very consistent. Just tell Jim that it's for a Bryan built Shiloh and he will send you a sight with the correct dovetail size.

Chris.

[Hanz]

Thanks guys.

Jim and I spoke on the phone yesterday and he assured me that the Shilohs have a .450" dovetail like the originals so that is what I ordered.

[Hanz]

Update.

I'm pleased to announce that I received the front sight today from Distant Thunder and it fits perfectly. Jim was correct, the Shiloh has a .450" dovetail and I don't know how to measure. He didn't say that, I did.

It's the mid-range sight.

http://www.distantthunderbpcr.com/DTPages/DTProduct.htm





I'm very pleased with this sight and can't wait to shoot it. I see the bubble in the level as a light dot to verify I'm holding level. That's on the end of a 34" barrel.