Of the many fascinating features to be found on collectors' Winchesters, probably the subject of sights is the most complicated and has generated the most questions and controversy. Possibly the most important part of a gun, sights were changed, altered, or modified more than any other component. In about 1963, the author, George Madis, had gathered enough sight records to consider them 'nearly complete,' but some gaps still existed. After another thirty years of searching, more records have been added to the collection, and it is now as complete as possible. Madis's long search and decades of study resulted in this valuable book. All of the information in this book is from the original Winchester records including the dates, calibers, and barrel arrangements. Original drawings, 'Master Sight Books,' catalogs, interfactory correspondence, patent drawings, and an amazing amount of primary reference material were consulted. In most cases, Madis used a dozen or more primary sources. Often a great deal of research had to be done to glean only one line of information of value to collectors. The records here are just as they appear in the Winchester archives, and all Winchester drawings are shown the actual size of the sight. One of the many facets concerning sights, and of great importance, is the fact that many gun dealers had a stock of replacement sights on hand and sold the gun buyer sights other than those factory fitted on their Winchester. This happened often. Many of the special sights seen on our old Winchesters have been added outside of the factory. This edition provides answers to the more frequently asked questions and is indispensable to authenticating sights that belong on Winchesters such as the 1866, 1873, 1876, 1885 High Wall, 1886, 1887, 1890, 1892, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1910, 1912, Model 52, 12, 21, 24, 25, 37, 40, 42, 47, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 69A, 70, 71, 74, 75, 77, 100, 101, 270, 275, and many, many, more, especially if the sight is non-standard. Madis also includes information on Lyman sights, Winchester A-5 scopes and other gunsight manufacturers. In these old records, the reader can glean not only information about sights, but other information about Winchesters as well. If you collect or shoot Winchesters rifles or gunsights, this book is a must have. 183pp.
