Does anyone know of a good source for a front sight blade that will fit on the M1903 issue base? I'm looking for a commercial replacement with either a white or gold bead. Need it to better match up with my receiver sight on an M1903-based sporter. Thanks!
M1903 Springfield Bead Front Sight Blade
- Thread starter erikpolcrack
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LVSteve
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So I am not the only one to find the 1903 blade front sight hard to pick up against a cluttered background.
John F.
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Oldies...
I spent a lot of years some time back, haunting Ebay for old classic Lyman, Marbles, King, and some other vintage sights. I am not aware of anyone
currently making such a sight for the original military Springfield sight base.
However, Lyman and possibly others did. They also made a Sheard front sight, which is a somewhat similar design to a bead sight. If you don't have it, I recommend you get Nick Stroebel's classic book on vintage gunsights.
He wrote one on vintage scopes and mounts, also.
I would NOT recommend you get the later edition that attempted to combine both into one volume. Very poorly done with a lot of information omitted that was in the earlier editions. I gave my early "Gunsights" book to a friend when the later "combo" version came out, and once I saw how poorly it was done, I hunted down an early version of the Sights book and
paid more for it used than I had new.
The book will tell you the nomenclature of the sight(s) you're looking for,
let you know what was available from a number of classic makers, and will
greatly improve your Ebay search results. I hope this helps!
John
I spent a lot of years some time back, haunting Ebay for old classic Lyman, Marbles, King, and some other vintage sights. I am not aware of anyone
currently making such a sight for the original military Springfield sight base.
However, Lyman and possibly others did. They also made a Sheard front sight, which is a somewhat similar design to a bead sight. If you don't have it, I recommend you get Nick Stroebel's classic book on vintage gunsights.
He wrote one on vintage scopes and mounts, also.
I would NOT recommend you get the later edition that attempted to combine both into one volume. Very poorly done with a lot of information omitted that was in the earlier editions. I gave my early "Gunsights" book to a friend when the later "combo" version came out, and once I saw how poorly it was done, I hunted down an early version of the Sights book and
paid more for it used than I had new.
The book will tell you the nomenclature of the sight(s) you're looking for,
let you know what was available from a number of classic makers, and will
greatly improve your Ebay search results. I hope this helps!
John
bead front sight
I have a Lyman 03 front sight blade that "used "to be a gold bead. The bead is missing, there is a detent where the bead used to sit. It is marked Lyman.
I don't think it would be that difficult to locate an appropriate sized brass or other material bead that could be attached with a drop of suitable epoxy cement. The blade does have the hole for the pin that holds the blade in place.
I have no need for it. If you are interested in it please PM me. Ken
I have a Lyman 03 front sight blade that "used "to be a gold bead. The bead is missing, there is a detent where the bead used to sit. It is marked Lyman.
I don't think it would be that difficult to locate an appropriate sized brass or other material bead that could be attached with a drop of suitable epoxy cement. The blade does have the hole for the pin that holds the blade in place.
I have no need for it. If you are interested in it please PM me. Ken
I had needed a taller front sight for one of my 03-A3’s and made my own out of old hacksaw blades and ground down to the correct elevation.
I’m sure you could add a bead of some sort to your own blade.
Another option is to get a USMC front sight base and blade. The blade is 0.100” wide and in my opinion much easier to acquire.
FWIW
I’m sure you could add a bead of some sort to your own blade.
Another option is to get a USMC front sight base and blade. The blade is 0.100” wide and in my opinion much easier to acquire.
FWIW
