What is the correct direction for drifting out the front sight on an octagon barrel Winchester 73?

Generally from left to right, I have no particular knowledge about the 1873 but I would guess it goes the same way.

Facing the muzzle or muzzle away from you?

The loading port is on the right side. If you are right handed you put your cheek on the left side of the stock.

I thought that it is from left to right but I remember reading that some of the early rifles went the other way.

What is the correct direction for drifting out the front sight on an octagon barrel Winchester 73?
This has always been hard for me to remember too. Tells you how many times I've done it. Perhaps installing one is more difficult than removing it. Hopefully the dovetail on the sight is bevelled on one end and straight on the other which will tell you which direction to drift.:confused:

I thought that it is from left to right but I remember reading that some of the early rifles went the other way.

If it doesn't move easy from left to right; I would sure try going from right to left before I laid into it with a big hammer.

Try measuring the dovetail with a micrometer to see if there's a difference from one side to the next.