No. 4 Rolling Block Tang Sight?

[lawboy]

I just came into this nice little No. 4 RB. Remington dates the serial no. back to 1912. The finish has been sanded off this gun and it is missing the tang sight. The tapered octagonal barrel is original and it has no rear sight dovetail so the gun must have come with a tang sight. I need to get a tang sight for it. Anybody know where to get one, or which one to get, or have a photo of a No. 4 with a tang sight? At this point, anything will help. the wood on this gun is in good shape. Buttplate has some pitting and corrosion and will need a beadblast and polish. Bore is shot and will need relining. But I am going to enjoy bringing this back to life.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/No4rollingblock026.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/No4rollingblock011.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/No4rollingblock021.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/No4rollingblock015.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/No4rollingblock010.jpg

[lawboy]

Figured a few more pics might be fun. There are not a lot of pics of the No. 4 on the forums so these might be of interest.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/No4rollingblock002.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/No4rollingblock003.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/No4rollingblock004.jpg

[Bent Ramrod]

The Lyman code for the Remington #4 tang sight was "U." The Marble code was "R3." These were marked on the undersides of the tang sight bases. You could use these codes as a reference for advertising for a tang sight or checking out auction sites. Sometimes the code was ground off in the effort to bring the sight to vertical on the tang. If it is missing, you would need to have the measurement of the center-to-center of the tang screw holes.

In a pinch, you might be able to get hold of a current Marble or Lyman tang sight for the Win or Marlin leveraction and drill an extra hole at the correct spacing in the base, cutting off the stock behind the new hole and bluing to match. You would need to know how high the peep sight needs to be turned to clear the Remington receiver, and whether the adjustment on these newer tang sights is compatible. Also whether you can change the angle of the sight to fit the drop of the Remington tang.

[montana_charlie]

I need to get a tang sight for it. Anybody know where to get one, or which one to get, or have a photo of a No. 4 with a tang sight? ]
What hole spacing must the tang sight fit?

CM

[atr]

WOW.....nice rifle !!!

[lawboy]

Thanks for the information on the sights. I don't know the hole spacing will have to measure. The tang has just one stock through bolt. The main spring screws to the top tang as there is no bottom tang, and there is one other screw on the tang that I am not sure what it is for. you can see the three screws in the photo above. The rear screw is the stock bolt. The one just ahead of it is actually threaded in from the underside (you are looking at the top of the screw) and holds the mainspring. The one closest to the hammer I am not sure what it is for.
atr, thanks for the kind words. The front sight is not original, obviously. Not sure if I will try to find an original front sight or not.

[shaggist]

Although I don't consider myself to be an expert in any way on the Model 4, I have been the proud possessor of 3, one of which I still have and shoot. My current gun is a later model, round-barreled one.

I have never seen a factory Model 4 with a tang sight. The front sight was a round bead type, dove-tail mounted in the slot to be seen on your gun. On my gun, it is approximately .220" high from the top of the barrel to the top of the sight. The rear sight is a short, leaf sight, with a U-notch, and is adjusted for elevation with a slotted screw through the leaf. The sight is mounted to the gun between 2 ears that are part of the barrel. It is held in place by a slotted screw that passes through the circular end of the sight, to allow it to be adjusted for windage. My tang has the 2 rear holes as seen on yours, but does not have the front hole just behind the hammer.

Bent Ramrod has given you the correct codes for the Lyman and Marble sights designed to fit the Model 4. The only one I have seen for sale was a Lyman, priced at ($175.00), half the price I gave for this gun, and I couldn't talk myself into that kind of money. I currently have a new Marble tang for a Stevens Favorite, which I shall mount someday.

These little RBs are the most fun .22s I have ever owned, being extremely light weight (mine being 4.5 lbs), accurate to whatever level your eyes can achieve, and the most parsimonious consumers of ammo on the planet. They are perfect for teaching a youngster to learn to shoot accurately, having only one shot, needing to make that shot good everytime and not relying on multiple shots to accomplish that goal. Finding one with a good chamber and bore is very hard, as they were normally treated with nonchalance, being an inexpensive 'boy's' gun, so that you find the bores and chambers badly corroded from corrosive primers and/or black powder in the early ones. There are a number for sale on GunBroker at a price, most times, far more than their value, and they sit there, cycle after cycle, with no bids. If you can find one like my 1st one, a NRA Antique Excellent, you will have to pay the large dollars like I got for mine. It was so nice, I couldn't bring myself to shoot it after the first few times. I hope you have a much fun as I have had with mine over the years. They are great little guns!

[lawboy]

Shag, thanks for the info. The front sight on mine is clearly an aftermarket or home made affair. It has a peep insert that is interchangeable but not of the common Lyman type. I may try to bring the front sight back to original format or close to it. If I could find the Marbles R3 for $175 I would buy it immediately even though it would be more than I gave for the gun. The bore on mine is in poor condition as you describe. Initially I thought it was beyond hope but I have put some elbow grease into cleaning it and I can now see rifling the whole length of the bore. The chamber and chamber-end rifling are the worst parts of it and there is definitely pitting. The gun does fire well and the cases come out without bulges or other damage. Accuracy is still a mystery of course, due to not having a rear sight.

[lawboy]

Educated myself more on the missing tang sight. Seems they are very similar to hen's teeth. Found one gent who owns one he paid $400 for after a 5-yr search ... this is gonna be fun.
Meanwhile, I removed the hideous homemade front sight and found something more becoming in my sight box. This is about what the gun had on it when it left the factory in 1912.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/rollingblock003.jpg

[MtGun44]

I have a nice #4 that is spooky accurate and have been casually looking for an original
tang sight for about 5 yrs. A couple of serious dealers in old tang sights have told me
(independently) that these originals are very rare and would sell for about $400 if you found
a good one.

IMO, without a rear sight, I would purchase a Marbles tang sight for this gun, if one is made or
can be adapted. The issues are hole spacing and the tang of the rifle's angle vs the
sight's angle so the tang is very near vertical. Finally, getting the required height to
get on target may be difficult.

Bill