Remington 1858 front sights

[Tommygunn]

Another thread on Remmie front sights reminded me of something ....

On some repros, Pietta being one of them, the front sight on the 1858 Remington seems to be press fitted into the barrel itself, while on others , like an old Armi San Marco I have, and Uberti, they are dovetailed into the barrel, allowing for windage adjustments if one is so inclined.
For those historians among us who know the originals; which is historically accurate, direct "press fitting, or dovetailing? Or did Remington use both at different times??
Thanks.

 

[Soap]

I just had to swing around in my chair to grab my original 1858 off of my shelf...the front sight appears to be press fit. There is certainly no dovetailing. At least, that's how they did it in 1863. (Thanks Old Fuff!)

 

[sundance44s]

I`ve seen some originals both ways ..I supect the dove tailed ones were done after the fact .

 

[Leatherbark]

The Pietta's that look press fit are actualy "Fused" welded if they are like the loading lever latch.............I have a Pietta "Shooters" model that has both the front sight and loading lever catch dovetailed like an Uberti..................Bob

 

[Z71]

The Pietta Remingtons front sights are spot welded on by some method or other. I had a guy bring me a new one from Cabelas that the front sight had fallen off/knocked off in shipping. Cabelas said they would pay a 'smith to fix it, or they could replace the gun. I took one look and had him send it back for a replacement. That was a stainless steel revolver.

The sight and lever latch are stuck on with some sort of electro-spot welding process. I have the same stainless Remington clone, and mine seems decently sturdy. However I can see from the fellows sightless Pietta, that it can be done shoddily too. His was barely stuck on!