Most #4 front sight mounts I've seen are drilled in the front next to the bbl for the sight protector screw and have a diagonal cut extending from the front of the dovetail down and toward the back of the sight. But recently I saw a #4 which had a protector hole drilled, but without the diagonal cut, so that it is a solid block like is found on #1's. This #4 sight measures the same as all other #4 sights, but is lacking the diagonal cut. I think it was a BSA late WWII vintage. Just curious about why this discrepancy with what I thought was standard? (As if anything is standard with war time guns.) Thanks...
LE #4 Mk1 Front Sight Mount Discrepancy?
- Thread starter nw mb
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Not certain of which came before which, but one version of front sight element has a solid dovetail base - goes with the diagonal cut sight base that is then tightened with the screw. Other style has a "split dovetail" which goes with the solid sight base, relies on spring tension to stay in place..
Just finished researching that, consensus seems to be that the solid base was the first mk1, then everything became mix n match as whetever was more available during repair. Longbranch mk1* Ive only seen with the blade tension screw setup. My 43' Maltby mk1 came with an original solid base, which look realitively similar to the no1 mk3 sight only shorter. But then again what the hell do I know, everydyday I learn something new about LE's and the never ending commonwealth variations
thanks all, you all pointed me in good directions and more reading today
perhaps there's no way to know for certain, but I went back to my pics...it's a 1943 manufacture BSA...and a mk 1 rifle because of the trigger, but there were a lot of these that were refurbed after the war with mk 2 equip, so if it did not have that sight originally, then it got it added later on, with a split dovetail...
funny that the rifle looks like it was dragged the entire Kokoda trail, but the rifling is the most crisp i think i've ever seen in a le
thanks!
perhaps there's no way to know for certain, but I went back to my pics...it's a 1943 manufacture BSA...and a mk 1 rifle because of the trigger, but there were a lot of these that were refurbed after the war with mk 2 equip, so if it did not have that sight originally, then it got it added later on, with a split dovetail...
funny that the rifle looks like it was dragged the entire Kokoda trail, but the rifling is the most crisp i think i've ever seen in a le
thanks!
