Short-lived and unloved, Lt. Tracy C. Dickson's, '3-notch', model 1898 rear-sight crashed and burned.

Its three sighting 'notches' were confusing and unpopular.
(The outside notches, btw, were to compensate for strong cross-winds).

The low 'elevation-ramp' of the 1898 sight-base was designed for an improved, higher velocity, 2,200 f.p.s. (220 grain) Krag round.
That ammo was introduced in 1898, but, soon was pulled from service, due to bolt lugs cracking.

Most model 1898 sight-bases, with the low elevation-ramp and complicated leaf spring, were likely sold or auctioned as scrap.
(The later 1902 sights were for the 2,000 f.p.s. ammo. A higher elevation-ramp was required).

But, the model 1898 sight-leaf and eye-piece, were kept in reserve, and like the Phoenix, rose from the ashes.
(The rejected bases lurked in private hands to later cause mischief)!

The 1898 leaf was recycled by adding serrations on the left side.
Both rifle and carbine eye-pieces had their square corners and outside "V" notches 'rounded' to re-purpose them as 1902 sight eyepieces.

With surplus parts floating around and a degree of interchangeable components, some bogus & outright fake sights have been created.

Also, there are some legitimate rare survivors.

Key things to know: 1898 rifle and carbine eyepieces are different from each other, (in addition to the "C").

The three rifle "V" notches are slightly off-set to the right.

By contrast, the carbine middle "V" notch is centered on the eye-piece; the two outside notches are equidistant from their respective edges.

Attachments:

1. A legitimate 1898 carbine sight.

2. A bogus sight, made from an 1898 rifle sight. The "C" is wrong and the rifle notches are marked to show slight offset to the right.

3. Two rifle leafs, one of which, has been falsely marked. (Note disruption of metal by the "C" stamp).

As first manufactured, there were no left-side serrations on the 1898 leaf and no vent/guide hole on the left-end of the slide.

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