SMLE Ajustable Rear Sight

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Lanceleader

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I bought a 1917 mk 3 star barreled action to complete my SMLE build. I have a full wood 1917 mk3 but the action and barrel have lot of pitting. The mk3 I bought to replace it have a rear sight with ajustable windage but someone pin it. Was it done at the factory or by a previous owner ? I wanted an ajustable sight to go with my sight protector wich is made for that type. Can I remove the pin or should I leave it like that.
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I believe they were pinned at the factory during a refit. checked my book and the MK III* rear sight it non windage adjustable so I would assume when they refit the MKIII to MKIII* they pinned it in place
 
It was, as suggested, pinned by the factory at refit to bring the rifle to Mk.III* specs.

The pin is just a drive fit but can be a challenge to remove if the the rivet is in a blind hole. Drill a small hole from the underside then drive it out with a pin punch is the neatest way to do it.

If and when you do get it out, what you will have is a sight that can be adjusted for windage again, yes, but likely you will also have a sight cap that will have movement on the end of the arm due to wear. That is the reason that they were pinned in the first place.

If you intend to shoot the rifle, I would suggest that you leave it be. Then go on the quest for a replacement sight arm with windage adjustable cap that does not have a lot of wobble and wear But good luck with that one, most spares taken from stripped rifles are pretty wobbly.
 
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I have a couple of those pinned sights and plan to try a different approach to removing the pin. I think I will try drilling and tapping the pin from the top, or drilling and using an easy-out. Hopefully, the pin won't spin with the drill and can be pulled out with the tap, once it has been started. The easy-out might be a better option.
Just thinking out loud:rolleyes:
 
The pin is a mushroom head type with a shank less than 1/8 inch. Good luck drilling and tapping.

I popped one out by driving the blade of a small screwdriver under the head and levering in a way not unlike pulling a nail.

Gouged and scratched up the cap a bit, but the pin came out and the windage is adjustable again.

Some of them are drilled and pinned in a spot that cuts into the screw shaft below. It is easy to shear the the knurled wheel of the end of the screw shaft by turning if the shaft is seized.

'Oilermark' sometimes offers up 'repair kits' on Fleabay to replace the cap, shaft and wheel. There is also a little tensioner spring in there to limit sloppiness, but doesn't do the job as intended when it ages.
 
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Thank for the informations, I'll think about it and decide if I try to remove it or not. At least I know it was factory and not some homemade modification. Right now I'm just happy with my complete rifle.
 
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