Rear sight on M1

New to forum, and I need some help please. I have an Inland with serial # 503xxx. The rear sight is the adjustable type. It has been staked in 2 places. Looks like previous owner took a file to the top half of the peep part of the sight, making it a v-notch of sorts. (they filed half of the peep off, down to the hole). What can be done to repair this? Can the peep part be replaced, or would I have to replace the entire sight? Would removing the "staked" sight hurt the value of the gun? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Tenntrapper,

Welcome to the forum.

That early of a serial number would have originally had a leaf sight. Guessing it has been through a rebuild or field change. There were many who filed down the peep. Maybe some in the field, maybe some here after being sold. Guessing closer to what they had at home.
You could replace the adj sight with another and re stake in the same marks. Shouldn't change the current value. Trying to install a leaf now would show the staking marks. Then could make someone think it was being faked and hurt the current value. Or leave it as is. The last being my choice.

We have a search feature in the task bar above. You can look up what others have previously posted about the subject. And I'm sure others will respond here.

Enjoy the forum. And how about some pictures??????

If you left off one 'x' on the serial number the sight could be original. IOW, a 5 million could have it but a 500 thousand, no way. You can find the adjustable sight for not a lot of money and replace yours. Sight should be pushed out to the right and installed from the right. First, though, determine if the existing sight is installed correctly. Set the rear aperture exactly in the center of the base and slide it down to the first position (1.5 - 1). Now fire at the target at 25 yds as carefully as you can. You should be on-center and between point-of-aim and 4" high. If you are missing the vertical centerline by just a little, adjust the windage with the windage knob. If you are missing it by more than an inch, the sight base should be moved to correct sighting. Once this has been done, carefully mark where the center of the sight base lies on the receiver, then remove it. Install the new sight to the same point and stake it - you should be done. Verify sight alignment at the range. You should have the correct rear sight installation tool for this job, or you can fabricate one. Or, you could have a gunsmith do the sight-pushing for you.

On top of being a reasonably common modification, it would make the sight easier to use. You would give up nothing in utility.

Thanks for the info guys. I would post some pics if I knew how. I didn't leave any "x's" out of serial. Once again, thanks for the info. Guess I should start a new thread for other questions.