position of rear sight on Kentucky Flintlock Pistol

[Swede Creek]

OK,

Getting to final stages of my build.    About ready to cut dovetails for sights.

Front sight is no problem....;

But am looking for advice/counsel on where (how far back) the rear sight should go.

The pistol is a 12" barrel .50 flintlock (small lock) with a Rice swamped barrel.    I'm not looking for any historical or period authenticity.    I'm wanting a pistol for target practice and hunting, so am looking to maximize accuracy.

My thought is to try to make the sight radius as long (far apart) as possible.    In looking at some period pistols, the sight is 1 to 2" in front of the Frizzen.   IMO that would give a pretty short sight radius.

I was planning to put the rear sight right in front of the Frizzen... but wondered what the ramifications might be to move it farther back???   just ahead of the flash hole?  Back in front (BEFORE) the flash hole?

OK what is your thinking?

[TDM]

In most cases, originals would have the rear sight in-line with the frizzen pivot point to 1/2”-3/4” past. I’ve never seen one closer to the breech, though there may be examples of that.

[moleeyes36]

Since you aren't concerned with any historical or period authenticity, where you place the rear sight is strictly up to you.  Something to keep in mind is that the shorter the sight radius is, the quicker/easier you can align the sights when aiming.  The flip side is that a longer sight radius makes the gun more accurate.  I don't know where you are in your build, but you might want to install the front sight sight then place the barrel in the stock, sit the rear sight on the barrel and move it forward and back until you find the spot that suits you best, then install the sight there.  Same process works for a rifle.

Don Richards

[alacran]

I have seen originals with the rear sight on the standing breech. In Dyke's American Flintlock Pistol book, there is one by William booth Booth that has the rear sight on the tang of the standing breech. Also, a couple or more that have a groove or a trough for a rear sight.
On all my target Kentucky pistols I place the rear sight as far back as possible on the barrel.

[Bob Roller]

Put it where it will give maximum sight radius if you are not copying a specific antique.
Bob Roller

[ed lundquist]

This one is on the tang.

[Kevin Houlihan]

 Similar to Ed’s pistol above, on my latest pistol I installed my rear sight at the intersection of the barrel and the breech plug.
Kevin

[wmrike]

Although I understand the urge to tidy things up with a proper rear sight, I have regarded flintlock pistols less as firearms of precision than practical point-and-shoot tools.  To that end, a solitary front sight serves the purpose for quickly getting the barrel pointed in the right general direction.  Try it.  You can always go back and add the rear sight later.

[Dave Peelgren]

Right in front of the tang