Quote
"Higher grade Westleys had spring loaded sight blades which helped to keep them in either the down or up positions.
The sight base was hollowed out and a flat spring, I would guess bent in a wave form to meet each blade pivot from the underside, kept pressure upon the blade. I envision each blade having little flats 90deg. to each other but I would have to see one apart to know for sure.
Really, quite a simple design and a wonder that all rifles with multiple sights didn't incorporate something similar.
Especially if intended for dangerous game use".

Yes Huvius,that is the system used on my other Farquharson's,the spring is in fact flat,as you imagined, the cam sysem is incorporated into the sight leaf,there is a small flat in both planes so that the leaf stays in the vertical or horizontal plane,the system works well,providing it is maintained,if not,it tends to rip lumps out of your finger nails!
My .577NE was made by Westley Richards for Lyon&Lyon,Calcutter, so it was probably an "economy" model.
Chris,
France.