Type 99 Aircraft Sight Cover

[jollyrogerf14]

Gents, I just bought a decent 99 for two reasons. First, was the nice original sling it wore, but second is something I've never seen before and can't find ANY info on anywhere. A small tin cover on the top of the rear sight. It attaches with the little screw that I always thought just retained the slider.

It is an all matching rifle, intact mum, but no monopod or dust cover.

Any ideas?
Thanks!

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[browningautorifle]

Love to see that pictured here for historic retention on the site...?

[Aragorn243]

My guess is it's something someone who brought it back put on it. None of my source materials ever mention any kind of cover on the rear sight. Wouldn't make any sense to have one, it limits the use of the sight. Pictures would be great so we know exactly what you're talking about as we're just kind of imagining what it might be.

[jangle]

Your description sounds like what collectors refer to as the Aleutian Island rear sight lifting devise. It has been found on many rifles that where taken from the Aleutian campaign to aid in lifting the rear sight with heavy gloves on. Just a thin piece of sheet metal contoured over the sight/receiver and fastened to the rear sight using the small screw on top of the sight ladder. All originals that I have seen are all bent the same way with rounded edges.

[Aragorn243]

Looked that up and it's not anything like what I was imagining LOL. Couldn't get more than a tiny picture of one but it was enough to clue me in on what it is.