I agree that the rib is machined quite well and is very attractive, but I also agree that the sight position and front scope ring position need to be reversed. After having made a few ribs myself, I've found that the overwhelming tendency is to make them too short in length and too tall in height, while usually placing any rear open sight much too far to the rear. This tendency appears to be exacerbated by the regrettable fact that most smiths aren't iron sight shooters and so aren't aware of the need for long eye relief when using the open rear barrel sight. The need for long eye relief is even greater in older shooters' far-sighted eyes and older shooters are exactly the type who can most often afford the expensive custom touches like ribs. IMO the open rear sight should be placed quite close to the end of the forearm, as close as possible without being actually in front of it except on rifles with short forearms. IOW about 8"-10" in front of the receiver ring should be about right for most open sight applications.
If you want to see some well-designed and well-made ribs with proper sight positioning, take a look at Steve Hughes' book Custom Rifles in Black and White to see the rifles made by Ed Webber, a Hagn and a Sharps 1877. Although neither rib has provision for a scope, the rear sights are well-designed and properly positioned and the scope ring locations could have easily been machined if wanted.
I've noticed that lately it seems that many custom rifles are being designed and dimensioned solely for their looks at the expense of their usability and ergonomics. In fact it sometimes seems to me that some makers have no intention for their rifles to ever be actually used in the field or even to be fired at all and so they pay little or no attention to such things as iron sights and their positioning. Too bad.
Regards, Joe
