Hawken front sight

[Whaleman]

Herb some time in the past showed a close up picture of Jim Bridger's rifle front sight. It showed the ends of the sight in the dovetail filed flat with the barrel angle. Is this the correct way they were done? Thanks, Dan

[smylee grouch]

I have seen them done both ways so unless your trying to copy an exact rifle you could do i one way or another.

[Herb]

Here is what he is talking about.  This is Jim Bridger's rifle in the Montana State Museum in Helena.  The back of the silver blade is broken off. The dovetailed base is filed flush with the barrel flats.

Here is another original Hawken in that same museum.  Notice here that the copper base is not filed flush with the barrel flats.

[rich pierce]

Back in the day the copper base sights were considered an early feature on Hawken rifles, IIRC. I do prefer little or no overhang of the front sight base. Less catching on fabric in a gun sock. 

[Whaleman]

Thanks Herb and everyone else. I appreciate the expert advise. Dan