Dreyse 1862 Rear Sights

[rescuerandy2]

Good Evening. Looking at an 1862 rifle but need to know if this is a '71 Mauser component. If so, is the correct piece even close to available. Thanks, Randy

Attachment 62997

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Relax, it looks OK for an M1862 Dreyse. The M1871 sight is much longer, mounted on a saddle (not a dovetail), with an extra "window" in the sliding leaf, and the back flip-up leaf is shorter, reflecting the flatter trajectory and longer maximum range. Clearly derived from the Dreyse sight, but not the same.

Both sights can be seen on P. 138 of "Deutsche Militärgewehre - Vom Werdergewehr bis zum Modell 71/84", which describes the development of the M1871 in some detail.

As to Dreyse spares ... think hens' teeth!

[rescuerandy2]

Thanks Patrick. Is this sight part of the Beck modification?

[Patrick Chadwick]

No, it is the original backsight. Although I found a written reference to the backsight being swapped out for one with a ladder, the only pics I can find of a Beck version seem to have the same sight. I can only assume that the scaling was altered to match the improved trajectory of the M72 cartridge which was introduced at the same time as the Beck conversion, but have not yet found any pics to support this theory.


But before worrying about that: is the rifle you are looking at the Beck version?

[rescuerandy2]

No. The bolt does not have the conversion and the receiver is single-dated. Randy