Rare "Benton" Screw Long Range Sight for Type I Harpers Ferry 1841 Rifle Alterations
American Civil War
Screw adjustable moving aperture rear sight for Type I alterations of the US Model 1841 "Mississippi Rifle" performed at Harpers Ferry in fiscal years 1854 and 1855. Blued metal 2.25" tall by .75" wide, with a base cut for a dovetail mortise .5" by .7". Marked 200 on the base of the fixed notch and 3.., 4.., 5.., 6.. and 7.. along the left side of the ladder. A total of 1,631 1841 rifles were altered with this rear sight, with many later being re-altered to the more conventional long base ladder rear sight as the "Screw Pattern Sight" was delicate and easily broken. A rare part that is almost never seen for sale and absolutely necessary to restore a Type I Harpers Ferry alteration rifle if the sight is missing.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
The Collection of John Vagnetti