M1903 Springfield Bead Front Sight Blade

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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!
 
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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
 
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
 
This Redfield is in tough shape currently but could be cleaned up by someone so inclined. Shoot me an email if you can use it.
 

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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
 
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