No4 Mkl which tubed foresight ?

[peanuts]

I am confused about all the fore and rear sights that abound and am at a loss which tubed foresight will fit my 1943 Maltby Mk1 No4 rifle. ?

I have purchased a PH5C rear sight and need a tubed foresight with a choice of elements to go with it.

Despite a lot of searching I haven't found out which Parker hale model/s will fit and if any other contemporary sights will fit like the Anschutz for instance.

Hope someone can explain the options to me and perhaps point me in the right direction to buy one in the UK.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Thunderbox]

There was never a single unit that was manufactured for the No4 front sight. The usual method is to file the top of the forsight block level (it has a slight slope to it), and then adjust the dovetail slot so that a Parker Hale FS22 (small tube ) or Matchmaker (Large tube) will fit.

Another common method was to spread the wings of a spare foresight protector, and weld an FS22 into the gap. The foresight block then has to be filed right down so that this contraption will slide over the top.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Another common method was to spread the wings of a spare foresight protector, and weld an FS22 into the gap. The foresight block then has to be filed right down so that this contraption will slide over the top.

Hey, I thought that was my patent!

As used on the Khyber Pass Match Rifle!



Side-on, it looks like this



And is much easier for aiming than the normal foresight




- Anschütz blade attached by Pattex - a cost-effective and reversible solution!

Ah well, isn't it always the same. Have a good idea, and there's almost always someone who's already done it!

[Mk VII]

Another method is to use the Parker 'Matchmaker' or a John Wilkes with a modified solid (no binding screw) base with the widened dovetail.

[peanuts]

ahh so it isn't just a straightforward fit then

I assumed that Parker Hale would have sold a suitable dovetail base with the tube that would fit on the barrel end without any modifications needed.

Thanks for the suggestions . I'll look out for a PH matchmaker and elements

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Keep an eye out for John Wilkes front sights. Two that I've seen (and bought ) were apparently made with a slanted dovetail to match to match the Lee-Enfield bases, keeping the tube parallel with the barrel. This one is mounted on a No.2 rifle with my poorly done "tension" modification but will slide right into the base on a No.4. The sight is not marked differently than a standard JW unit. It would be nice if PH had made something like this.

* Modified parts shown were spares, the originals are safe.

[Peter Laidler]

You should keep your eyes peeled on THAT auction site Peanuts. I had about 6 of these John Wilkes sights (see Mk7's picture - top) from an old store cupboard at my sons school cadet force. Couldn't even move them originally so chucked them in with a load of P-H sights where they 'sold' by default really. There's plenty out there.

The reason you need a specially lowered foresight block band is so that the centre of the foresight element remains at approx 1" above the centre line of the barrel.