In 1974 Axtell Rifle Co./The Riflesmith began authentic reproduction of rifle sights for Winchester, Remington, Sharps, Stevens, Ballard and Marlin lever actions. All of our rifle sight parts are machined from solid bar stock in our shop on conventional type machinery. We hold very close tolerances to achieve instrument quality in our vernier and windage model sights. Blueing is achieved by the same process used in the factories of Sharps, Remington and others in the 1870's.

Riflesmith sights are unconditionally guaranted for life. Defective sights will be repaired or replaced FREE OF CHARGE if material or workmanship fails. Damage due to accident or abuse will be repaired at a modest charge.

Click one of the links below to view our selection of rifle sights
Sharps / Winchester/Browning / Remington
Ballard / Stevens / Maynard / Marlin

Rifle Sight Information:

CARING FOR RIFLESMITH SIGHTS Always keep the sight lightly oiled. Too much oil will collect dust and grit which will accumulate and act like a fine grinding compound, thus shortening the life of the sight. DO NOT USE WD-40, IT WILL REMOVE THE BLUEING FROM THE SIGHT! Marvel Mystery Oil or an equivalent is sufficient.

ADJUSTING TANG SIGHTS When you make adjustments to your tang sight, remember to loosen the eye disc on all sights EXCEPT the Transition models prior to changing elevation settings. The Transition tang sight has two small screws on the back plate. These screws provide tension and adjustment for wear. The small knurled screw which comes with the Transition model sights is not necessary for normal use. Its purpose is for locking the sight in one position, ie., if you are only going to shoot two-hundred yard Schuetzen matches. If you choose to use this screw, do so by carefully replacing the bottom back plate screw. Please note if you attempt to adjust the sight setting with the locking screw in place, you will damage the long lead screw.

INSTALLING FRONT SIGHTS With the muzzle pointing away, use a COPPER punch to drive the sight right to left. To remove the sight, drive from left to right. Always remove the globe from the base when installing or making zeroing adjustments on a windgauge sight.

INSTALLING TANG SIGHTS The tang sight must be perpendicular to the bore line of the rifle. It is not unusual for the receiver tang to be slightly tipped right or left. DO NOT SAND SIGHT OR RECEIVER TANG. Using a carpenter's or machinist's level, level the rifle according to the side of the receiver. Level along the sight staff to make sure the sight is perfectly vertical. You may need to put a narrow strip of brass shim stock under the low side of the sight base.

WINCHESTER TANG SIGHTS The small front screw on some models is used not only to secure the sight to the tang but also to adjust the spring tension on the staff. Over-tightening will deaden or possibly break the spring.

READING THE VERNIER SCALE All of the Axtell Rifle Company's target sights are marked with Vernier calibrations on the left side of the staff. The staff is divided into points starting at 0 with the next mark being .05, then .10, .15, .20, etc. to at least 1.0. Design of staff may vary from sight to sight (ie. Remington, Winchester, Ballard). The back plate has six markings which are used to graduate the points. All of this is designed to allow the shooter to change the sight setting and then to return to the precise setting again and again. The numbers and marks on a Vernier sight staff are for reference. The amount of sight or elevation you will need as you "sight in" for different ranges is determined by your caliber, barrel length, powder charge and bullet weight. The weather will also affect your sight settings. Hot weather, your bullet will rise; cool, it will drop; if it's raining, go home.