No. 5 Question

[hkopper]

I need help in fixing an issue that I have with a No. 5 that I inherited. The rifle is in great condition with the exception of the rear sights. I'm looking for an assembly diagram illustrating how the rear sights are attached to the rifle or pictures from a current No.5 owner showing the rear sights and how it is secured to the rifle. The issue is that the sights are completely loose in that it will not lock to a vertical or horizontal state (it just swivels up and down). I'm hoping that the illustrations or pictures will help me identify the missing part (if there is a missing spring or the such) so that I can find the part and make the rifle whole again.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Hermann Kopper

[barbarossa]

Hermann, rear sight is secured by a crosspin. It sounds like you're missing the spring and plunger which fits under the right hand side of the rear site base. A cheap fix--standard No.4 rifle parts will fit. Parts available from Springfield Sporters or a host of other sources.

[gsimmons]

Try Brian Dick at BDL Ltd. He should be able to help and he's a sponsor here. bdlltd.com

[Brian Dick]

I've got plenty of plungers and springs. Get a SAID Series booklet on it too for $10 while you're at it. It'll have all the information you need to know.

[Peter Laidler]

I can't believe that everyone on the forum hasn't got these handy ready reckoner type books Brian. Cheap too! I gave a 3x rifle and Bren set of them to our big Armourers workshops. They were obviously well used because when the Armourers shop ceased doing Cadet work they were thumbed to death, oil stained to illegibility and almost falling apart

[Brian Dick]

I've got a complete set too on my bookshelf. The ones for the SMLE and No.4 are worn out from checking parts nomenclatures in my office so I don't screw up small parts orders. Thanks to Ian for printing them.

[hkopper]

Thanks for the quick and prompt replies! After close inspection, I did notice where the plunger and spring were housed and they were both missing. I just finished submitting an order for the mentioned parts and should have them sometime next week (was just set back $8.00). Now I wait and eagerly awaiting the day that I can return to the range. I have many fond memories of this rifle as it was my first rifle purchase about 30 years ago and it was a bit of a punisher (always leaving my shoulder bruised). Thanks again!