Recently bought a H&R Officers Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor in excellent condition. I've had it out twice, first time to get it on paper and second time to start testing some loads. Really nice and I know this is going to be a fun rifle to shoot.
One thing is going to drive me nuts though. The rear ladder/Vernier sight doesn't have any graduations on it. The base is inletted into the wrist of the stock. It is adjustable for both elevation and windage. So far to make adjustments I use a No. 2 pencil to mark the sight position, make a slight adjustment, shoot, mark the position, adjust, shoot, etc. until the POI is where I want it. This is going to be a PIA!
I'm thinking I can always use a sharp tool to mark positions instead of a pencil. Or take it to a gunsmith friend who's a good machinist too and see if he can mill some markings into it. But finding a ladder/Vernier sight already with markings would be ideal. I do not want to mount a M1897 sight on the barrel, period. Not keen on expanding the inletting either.
Anyone have other ideas or know of a source for a sight that will fit and has markings?