peep sight

I have an replica sounthern mountain squarl rifle. I am considering a peep sight to use in combination with fold down rear leaaf sight. I can make the sight. Wonder if such a setup was ever used in late 18 or early 19 century. The rifle is of the precussion type.
Thanks.

This is from 1670.

Would love it if someone would repro that.

Nice. I like the desighn. It looks as if the the sight is mounted on the barrel. That is ahead of the lock. Is this the case.
Thanks.

I have searched the web for other pics of muzzleloader peep sights to no avail. Can anyone provide pics or info on where to find info.
Thanks

hitandmissengine said:

I have searched the web for other pics of muzzleloader peep sights to no avail. Can anyone provide pics or info on where to find info.
Thanks

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https://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/mbs3cart/agora.cgi?next=25&product=Sights

Scroll down, on right.

Yes. The Johnson sight is on my list to try.

Does this sight mount on tang or barrel?

Lots of Turkish jezails had peep sights, so it's not a new idea. But they would block out a lot of terrain because they're so wide. At squirrel ranges, I don't see a positive. Modern peeps I don't think represent early American peeps, if they indeed existed.

hitandmissengine said:

Does this sight mount on tang or barrel?

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The Johnson Peep is barrel mount. I have them on two guns. One I mounted with screws directly to the barrel, which is the "standard" mount for them. The other I mounted first onto a dovetail, then dovetailed to the barrel just to give me a little flexibility in windage, if needed. I didn't, but when I was building the gun, I wasn't sure what I'd need.

These are definitely "primitive" peeps. They have a very nice look to them versus less "elegant" modern-looking peeps, but you give up some flexibility. Personally, I like them on the guns I have them on.

Pictures of both installations:

Genel, your comment that you dont see the positive in a peep sight at squarl ranges is due to narrow tunnel of vision. Or is there another issue?
Thanks

hitandmissengine said:

I have searched the web for other pics of muzzleloader peep sights to no avail. Can anyone provide pics or info on where to find info.
Thanks

Click to expand...

Many a mid-1870's target cap lock rifle maker made "lollipop" tang peep sights for their rifles.

Thanks pete. Great pics. I recently orderd the book muzzleloading caplock guns by Ned Roberts.Upon receival of this book, I hope to gain a little more info on the subject.

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There's lots of good info, and pics, in Ned Robert's book - I bought my copy over 40 years ago, and still regard it as some of the best $$$ I ever spent.

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hitandmissengine said:

Genel, your comment that you dont see the positive in a peep sight at squarl ranges is due to narrow tunnel of vision. Or is there another issue?
Thanks

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Yes. But I was speaking specifically of jezails. They were wide, unlike modern peeps. Plus, I've never seen a peep sight on a period rifle...maybe that's just me. They look out of place to me. Not HC/PC.

Without doubt they're more accurate, but I get good accuracy at 25 yards, pretty well my max range for squirrels, with open sights, even with a CF. I might could stretch that out a few yards, but don't usually need to.

Nice pictures, thanks for posting them
:thumbsup:





William Alexander

John Schippers in his book; "Engraving Historic Firearms" has a couple of neat ones pictured. One for a Jaeger, and another that is a long one that extends off the back of the barrel and adjustable for elevation with a screw that mounts on the tang. The rear peep is adjustable both for windage, and aperture size.

Going back farther in time you see them on quite a few matchlocks and wheellocks. Been told they are on crowsbows even farther back in time. Just like today some folks love peeps, others hate them. :idunno:

Right you are. I have found via reserch over the past few months that peep sights have been around and used since the 17th century.

Claude said:

This is from 1670.

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That rifle must shoot a tad to left at longer distance?
Fred