Model 14 rear sight

[griff557]

I’ve tried using the search function but I guess I don’t understand how it works. I have a Model 14 that I think? Is a 1931 model. Iam wondering what the correct rear sight is. It currently has the “wheel sight” but it is missing the detent spring- is there such thing as finding a replacement? I have read that the wheel sight was an option after some time in the ‘20’s and the 17 1/2 became the the “original” sight ? and they started using a taller front sight at that time. My rifle has a tall front sight so Iam guessing either the front or rear sight is not correct to the rifle????? I’ve been told by an old friend who has 4 model 14’s that the only rear sight he has ever seen on a 14 is the wheel sight. Iam a bit confused something isn’t adding up. Any help/insight would be greatly appreciated

[nambujim]

Hey!

Serial would have been helpful but if your rifle was made in 1931 it would have had the 701-1/2 Long leaf rear sight and a high front. Yes, the wheel sight was an option for a rear sight until Model 14 production ceased. Pedersen designed the Wheel Sight to fit in the necessary slot on the barrel which the factory needed for the milling process, The Wheel Sight coupled with the low front provided a simply awful sight picture and thus the change to the 701-1/2 with a high front sight.

Yes, almost all the wheel sights are missing the detent spring or they're broken. They were brittle but the sight usually works well enough without them, most folk just like to hear/feel the click. I had some replacement springs made 8-10 years ago, they seem to work fine as long as the wheel is in place but find they fall out pretty easily if you remove the sight from the rifle. Like many parts on the 14, once you start taking it apart, "stuff" can/will fall out without you knowing it.

Jim Peterson
Charlotte, NC

[griff557]

Thanks for the reply….the barrel code is BX which I think might be 1933 ? The serial number is 116785. Short version of a long story is the rifle was my Grandfather’s that moved around in the family before my time. I got the rifle back a couple of years ago and it was missing the rear sight. Another friend of the family has several 14’s and 14 1/2’s he gave me the rear wheel sight-he says he’s never seen a 14 with a 17 1/2 sight. I want to shoot a deer with it this year and tried to zero the rifle but couldn’t raise the rear sight high enough because the rifle has a tall front sight. That’s when I did some research and learned that later 14’s came with 17 1/2 sights and a tall front sight all of leads me to believe the rifle originally had a 17 1/2 sight on it. For the time being and this hunting season I acquired a tang sight and have the rifle zeroed. At some point I would like to get a original rear sight back on the rifle-that’s why I was asking if it should have a 17 1/2 on it

[nambujim]

Roger that!

Lets get the numbers correct!

The Wheel Sight number is 117-1/2
The Long Leaf Rear Sight is 701-1/2

Yours is a late production rifle, those were some of the best 14's.

Don't be misled by some of the ads on Ebay or Gunbroker, they don't know a real
701-1/2 sight from their ass. The 701-1/2 that should be on your rifle had a milled steel elevator and that back side of the sight had an adjustable slide with a set screw.

I guess you could call the little slide an aperture but its reversible giving you two different options. The high front sight had a set screw in it as well to better secure it to the dovetail, not that it was necessary.

OK...............too much information!

Hope the above gives you some clarification.

Jim Peterson
Charlotte, NC

[griff557]

Appreciate the info….good to know about the EBay sights-there seems to be a lot of them on there. I held off buying a sight off eBay for that reason. Next question is where can I get the correct rear sight? Pictures would be helpful so I know what Iam looking for

[nambujim]

Yeah!

I'm not much into taking pictures and too damn old to run up/down stairs to do it.
Sorry about that but I can sell you one if you want, mine are about 90%+ condition, clean, and correct. For the rear sight $95 including shipping which is in a small Priority mail box otherwise the USPS will rush it. I ship within 24 hours of receiving payment.

Send money order to:
Jim Peterson
7420 Leharne Drive
Charlotte, NC 28270

[griff557]

I assume the sight comes with the correct elevator? I’ve read you’re the expert on 14’s so I’ll take your word for it. I’ll try and get a money order in the mail the next couple days. I’ll send you tracking info when it goes out

Thank you

Scott Wass
28770 Norberg Drive
Grand Rapids, MN 55744

[nambujim]

Scott!

All my stuff is first class and as I state on my auctions on Gunbroker, "I don't sell crap".
It does indeed have the original milled elevator. the 701 sight used on the Model 14
is different than the one used on the Model 141..........a lot different. They did use the Model 14 variation on the first 3000 or so 141's which utilized leftover 22" Model 14 barrels.

I will pick out a good one for you (I have several), get it boxed an ready to go.

For info, my friend Tom Hemphill is one of the world authorities on the Model 14 lives down Route 2 from you in Fosston but spends time at his lake house in Nevis. We maintain a data base of serials for the 14/141 so if you can pass on the caliber of your rifle we will add it to our listings...........we don't put names with the info just the specs on the rifle. I have your serial & barrel code but need the caliber.

Jim Peterson
Charlotte

[griff557]

Sounds good-I’ll let you know when the MO goes out. Funny your friend lives in Fosston. My friend that gave me the dial sight and the tang sight is from the Fosston area maybe they know each other? Bud is almost 90 years old and is quite a character he has several 14’s, 14-1/2’s and 141’s My rifle is .30 REM

[nambujim]

Scott!
You ought to give Tom a call, there is only one Thomas Hemphill in Fosston and he's curious who "Bud" might be???

Thanks for the caliber, we will record it.

Jim

[griff557]

Hey Jim

I put a USPS money order in the mail this morning for the Model 14 rear sight and elevator. If you would like to send me your email address I can send you tracking information.

My friend Bud lived about 15 miles SW of Fosston he said he didn’t know Tom when I asked him

Thanks
Scott
Griff557@gmail.com

[nambujim]

Hey!

nambujim@charlotte.twcbc.com

The sight elevator I pulled for you is about 99%, probably a lot "gooder" than the rifle.

Take care and stay warm!

Jim