Posted by Dale Ding
Swiss brilliance and oddity: the Stgw. 57 express front sight changing tool.
This fascinating tool, developed in the 70s, has the official name of « Werkzeug zum Auswechsel des Korns mit Leuchteinsatz, für Stgw. 57 », inventory number 670-7812.
The context behind the existence of this contraption is interesting.
The original specification for the Stgw. 57 front sight illuminating capsule agent was strontium-90 radioluminescent paint. In the early 70s, most likely due to performance/health and safety concerns, it was decided to trial alternative tritium self-illuminating technology.
The final substitute, consisting of a tritium-filled vial imbedded in an aluminium capsule and carbon-14th low-light diopter insert, was adopted in July 1973. This means that nearly 630’000 rifles had to be retrofitted with new front sights...
As arsenals started receiving new directives for this laborious operation, a new tool was developed in order to help speed up the process.
Pictured below, it clamped around the front sight block. The conical nut and micrometer nut are tightened between the front sight flanks. The massive tool body provided a stable bench block to drive out the dovetail roll pin. A large knob screws in to pinch the dovetail sections, thus freeing the front sight. Once a new one was fitted and marked, it was no longer necessary to rezero the rifle as the tool « memorized » the sight position!
What a genius design!
Swiss brilliance and oddity: the Stgw. 57 express front sight changing tool.
This fascinating tool, developed in the 70s, has the official name of « Werkzeug zum Auswechsel des Korns mit Leuchteinsatz, für Stgw. 57 », inventory number 670-7812.
The context behind the existence of this contraption is interesting.
The original specification for the Stgw. 57 front sight illuminating capsule agent was strontium-90 radioluminescent paint. In the early 70s, most likely due to performance/health and safety concerns, it was decided to trial alternative tritium self-illuminating technology.
The final substitute, consisting of a tritium-filled vial imbedded in an aluminium capsule and carbon-14th low-light diopter insert, was adopted in July 1973. This means that nearly 630’000 rifles had to be retrofitted with new front sights...
As arsenals started receiving new directives for this laborious operation, a new tool was developed in order to help speed up the process.
Pictured below, it clamped around the front sight block. The conical nut and micrometer nut are tightened between the front sight flanks. The massive tool body provided a stable bench block to drive out the dovetail roll pin. A large knob screws in to pinch the dovetail sections, thus freeing the front sight. Once a new one was fitted and marked, it was no longer necessary to rezero the rifle as the tool « memorized » the sight position!
What a genius design!
