Rearsight variations L.G & Y US Windsor-VT M1861?

[Northerner]

I was just browsing an English dealers website when I came across an L.G & Y US Windsor-VT contract model 1861 for sale. Not knowing much about them I've tried searching the internet, but have yet to find one with the same kind of rearsight as the one I found for sale.

It's at the bottom of the page here: http://www.micksguns.com/muzzle%20lo...ong%20arms.htm

Is this a common variation, an uncommon variation, or a post war modification?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Regards
Jeff

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Not as made or issued.

IMHO, most likely a sold as surplus and then "personalized" by its owner who either did not like the three leaf military sight, or the orignal sight had been taken off and lost. And, a newer "block" rear sight was added to the preexisitng rear sight dovetail.

Many times, these were also bored out and sold as "poorman" or "farmers' low-cost shotguns, and the rear sight was removed and replaced by a dovetail insert and filed and polished flush with the barrel to be nearly invisible.

It would also appear that the post War owner did not like sling swivels...

Curt

[ACo.]

As Curt said, it is a post-war, post-military service replacement. Priced at $1100 British Pounds, it comes out to $1,740 US Dollars - way over it's value here in the US, especially considering an important part that is missing. However Northerner, you are in Denmark so the price may be more appropriate for a hard to find piece. Try to find a dealer in the US if you don't find anything in Europe.

[Northerner]

Thanks for the helpful replies gentlemen. Original Springfields are indeed somewhat hard to find over here, in fact the only other one I've seen recently is being offered for about three times as much as the one I linked to.

I may have to look into importing from the States, even with all the paperwork etc. that this may entail, it may still be a cheaper option, as well as offering a larger range to choose from.

Regards
Jeff