Redfield aperture repairs

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sav-99

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Hi all,

Redfield Aperture Sight - no apparent Model or Serial numbers found.

Tang mounted on 99 Savage, caliper 303 Savage. The ball bearings for the detents are missing from the elevation and windage adjustments. Someone replaced both with what appear to be short sections of drill bit. Fortunately both springs are present. I believe ball bearings 0.0820” diameter might work.

Not much information on these sights available on the internet.
 
Just a quick word on this.... I've done a few quick fixes on sights like your describing... If I couldn't find a correct size ball bearing (ball)
I've used a proper size of lead shot, an it worked AOK....
I think it was size 8 shot just have to find a shell with that size.....
sst...
 
Have you tried contacting Redfield ??
0.0820" seems like an odd-ball size, as it's kind of (but not exactly) mid-way between 1/16" and 3/32".
I have a few left-over 0.0937" (3/32") detent ball bearings from when I re-furbed a Marbles tang sight, and I got them from Marbles.
If all else fails, and you think they might work, tell me how many you need and if I have that many I'll send them.
 
The Redfield that made that sight is long gone. Don't think the current Redfield does anything for old Redfield stuff.
Probably far less fuss to talk to William's Gun Sights about a whole new sight.
 
sunray said:
The Redfield that made that sight is long gone. Don't think the current Redfield does anything for old Redfield stuff.
Probably far less fuss to talk to William's Gun Sights about a whole new sight.
Click to expand...

sunray,

I was hoping to avoid the cost of a brand new aperture sight. Williams Gun Sights list for $65 - $85, plus importing through Canada customs. Customs can be a major stumbling block.
Not to mention having to drill & tap new holes to mount it.

The rifle is a Savage Model 99 A/B manufactured around 1900. Modern Williams hardware is going to look a lot like adding a rail scope mount to a Lee Enfield SMLE. Sort of out of place.
 
DaveF

Thanks for the offer. The 0.0937" (3/32") bearings from the Marbles tang sight are very much too large.

No, I haven't attempted to contact Redfield. I confess I just didn't think of doing so.

I did some more trial and error fitting with various numbered drill bits. The #46 (.0810") starts in but is too big. The # 48 (.0760) wiggles quite a bit, a detent ball this size would be very ineffective.
I didn't have a #47 bit (.0785") to try but it looks very close.

2 mm diameter ball bearings are available from stock (0.787") via mail order< http://www.mcmaster.com/#steel-bearing-balls/=vr6c62 >, and look like the best fit so far.
There are a couple of industrial suppliers close by, hoping they stock 2 mm bearings.

Online means the expense of a money order and dealing with Canada Customs. I'm guessing $20 minimum to get two ball bearings worth appr. $7/100.
 
If you have a bicycle repair place near you, chances are they have a bin full of assorted sizes of loose ball bearings for use in various places around a bike. Cheap, too.

Rounding the end of a pin made from spring wire, is a tried and true fix. For a classier one, you harden the pin, then polish it smooth and shiny. Easy lathe job on a small lathe.

Cheers
Trev
 
Swiss DT bike spoke would be high quality stainless steel and available with 2mm diameter as well at the same shop!
 
sav-99 said:
Hi all,

Redfield Aperture Sight - no apparent Model or Serial numbers found.
Click to expand...

If it's on an old 1899's tang then it's a Redfield model 70 LH or LT. Hunter knobs would be the LH and target knobs would be the LT.

Definitely not period correct for an old 1899 but it's nice having the windage adjustment as a period tang sight for the old girl wouldn't have any.

I'm guessing the one in the top left corner is the same as yours, correct?

 
MadDog,

Certainly appears to be the Redfield model 70 LH! Good to know as a reference.

I agree the original sight would have lacked windage adjustment... having gone through the frustrating experience of drifting the front sight on a No. 4 Lee Enfield with brass punch and small hammer, I will accept the slight in-accuracy. And yes, if we had had the proper tool to move the sight blade...

I wonder if the original rifle was available with a round bead when aperture sights were fitted at the factory? I ask, because my rifle has the standard blade that is not ideal for work with an aperture sight.

Do you know of any books concerning American aperture sights, Redfield in particular? You have been a big help, as has everyone else.
 
Nick Stroebels book is the best thing for looking up sights, I learned most of what I know just from buying and selling them.


One of my 1899's in 32-40 came with a Lyman tang sight stamped SP underneath it and I was told that it was the correct marking for a 32-40, also came with a Lyman ivory bead front sight which I was told was factory issue when ordering special sights like the Lyman tang from the factory, that's about all I know about that part.

The Redfield you put on it would have been factory if it was sitting on a Pre-war 99RS, I have one of those as well and it wears it's original Redfield 70LH still.
 
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