Swedish Mauser m96 sight questions

[carbonrod]

I recently purchased a m96, does anyone know what the number on the front sight means? My base, and my sight blade both have a 0 on them.

On the first trip to the range, the front sight came loose. The blade will slide out with thumb pressure. I am trying to figure out what I need to do to make the front blade stay put without bubbaing the rifle, or sight.

 

[Vieux Schnock]

Before anything, you should try it at 100m to see where it shoots. For the testing shots, you just have to insert a small piece of wood to hold the sight in place.
There is a good chance it will shoot too high and it means you'll need a longer front sight.
I got one from Brownell's for $12 for my M38. It is way too long and you have to file it to the right height.
Depending on your age and your sight, you could consider a set of Mojo sights: peep sight for the rear sight and choice for the front sight between another peep sight (very effective on paper targets) an the regular blade. Both my M96/38 and my Brazilian 1908 have Mojos and I shoot much better with them .
Mauser sights were OK for 18 year old privates but it is quite different when you are over 50.
It doesn't take more than 10mn to replace the original sights and you don't compromise the value of the gun.
Here's a picture of my M96/38.