How to mount PH5A sight to SMLE

Fremen

Fremen

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As some here will no doubt remember my what do I have post concerning a Commercially made BSA SMLE (Here is the original thread)

So I have sourced the sight and all mounting hardware for it. But am at a lose on how to mount it correctly. I am sure someone here can help.

Click on photo for full size



And Lou as I know you will be posting. I would be more then happy to make the drive to your place.

Jeff
 
The lower mounting screw is a longer version of the rear trigger guard screw. The large hole in the center of the base uses the safety spring retaining screw. The safety axle pivots in the large upper hole. The safety spring is replaced by a coil spring.
Your sight is missing its elevation scale and its screw.
 
Or.....you could do like the fellow that showed me his a year or so ago. He had lost the mounting screws so he arc welded the sight to the action....sits up there real purty and it ain"t gonna shoot loose.
 
Here's a photo showing one of mine mounted.

side%20of%20action.jpg
 
You'll only need to remove the original rear sight if it happens to be in your line of sight and blocks your view of the front post or target. On mine that hasn't been an issue.
 
So it would appear that I am missing the scale.

Any thoughts on sourcing one?

Also this sight looks a bit different could it be a later or earlier version?
 
It is an earlier version, on which the scale differs somewhat from the later ones.

standard.jpg


You need the two longer screws to mount it, and also a coil spring behind the small one.

standard.jpg


With some forends that considerably overhang the metalwork, as many wartime ones do because the amount of hand shaping was reduced to a minimum, some sanding may be required.
It is desirable to slacken off the front guard screw before attempting to withdraw the rear one, otherwise there will be sideways tension on it.

If the open sight blocks the field of view, fit a very high foresight and bevel slightly the rearsight base at the back so that the leaf can fall somewhat further out of the sighting plane.
 
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MK VII

thank you for the info.

Now the biggest thing is if the person I bought it from cannot find the missing part what would be the best place to start looking?
 
I would start making one out of sheet aluminium. You'd have to scribe the datum lines on it. It would get you going, at least, until someone turns up breaking one for parts.
 
Contact Scott at customscrewsandmore.com. He makes the longer trigger guard screw and a whole bunch of other little missing bits. Great to deal with too.
 
Thanks Mk VII, Would you be able to post an up close shot of yours with something for scale so I can make one.

Thank RR I will contact him now. I have the mounting hardware hopefully he may have the rest.
 
Fremen, I likely don't have the unique screws for mounting but I can always take a look. And if some woodwork is required etc., you know I'll gladly help!

Lou
 
Back in the late eighties, I was at an Arms Fair in London, England. They don't call them gun shows. It was all quality stuff; no bayonet buckets or military surplus stuff. On one table, there was a gorgeous SMLE set up for target shooting, with a PH 5A sight and a neat, elegant plaque in the buttstock, saying that it was presented to Mr So & So, upon his retirement from HM's Postal Service, in 1935. It would have cost about C$175 at the current rates of exchange. However, to get around the firearms regulations, it was drilled out to a smoothbore and didn't have to be registered. At the time, we were just leaving and I had less than two hours to get to Heathrow so I left the little darling behind.
 
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