+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Article On Springfield 03A3 Rear Sight Removal and Replacement

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Aussie48's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last On
    04-12-2020 @ 06:16 PM
    Location
    The Land Down Under, Australia
    Posts
    366
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    11:29 AM

    Article On Springfield 03A3 Rear Sight Removal and Replacement

    I would like to do the same modification to my 1903A3 as per the article by Bob S, my questions are:

    Does anyone know the model of Williams sight that was used, and
    Does the receiver have to be drilled and tapped (if that's the case I won't be doing it)

    Regards

    Richard
    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.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    supercub's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Last On
    08-31-2023 @ 10:07 AM
    Location
    Anchorage, Alaska
    Posts
    123
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:29 PM
    If you're talking about the Williams peep that goes on the bridge, no, you don't have to do any tapping. It secures to the bridge with a set screw just like the earlier A3's. The part number/model is WGRS. Here's one listed on fleabay;

    Williams WGRS Receiver Peep Sight 03 A3 1903 A3 Springfield | eBay

    I have one and they work well other than you may be restricted in disc size due to clearance on the sight itself.

    Kurt

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member Aussie48's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last On
    04-12-2020 @ 06:16 PM
    Location
    The Land Down Under, Australia
    Posts
    366
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    11:29 AM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks very much mate, but as usual they might not (usually won't) ship to Australiaicon. Or if they do it is by Express International Post and costs more than the item is worth. Have to get onto Numrich and buy a second base anyway which will cost an arm and a leg as we have to pay $45 for the export permit on top of the cost of the part, so $1 screw cost, plus export permit 46, plus international Express Postage of $38 makes it an expensive screw.

    Cheers

    Dick

  6. #4
    Legacy Member Aussie48's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last On
    04-12-2020 @ 06:16 PM
    Location
    The Land Down Under, Australia
    Posts
    366
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    11:29 AM
    Thread Starter
    Had a reply from Bill S the talented man who wrote the article looks like it was a 5D-Jems sight, now I just have to work out how to get one here in Australiaicon along with a rear sight base. No drilling on the receiver required just the spare rear sight base if anyone else is interested in this upgrade.

  7. #5
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    supercub's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Last On
    08-31-2023 @ 10:07 AM
    Location
    Anchorage, Alaska
    Posts
    123
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:29 PM
    I'm missing something here. A 5D-Jems sight is like a Lyman and the base is fixed to the side of the receiver by drilling and tapping.

    Kurt

  8. #6
    Legacy Member Aussie48's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last On
    04-12-2020 @ 06:16 PM
    Location
    The Land Down Under, Australia
    Posts
    366
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    11:29 AM
    Thread Starter
    I don't know Kurt or clueless some might say. To get a Williams sight here I will have to go direct to the Williams people. I thought an FP-A3 or FP-A3-TK would do the trick as they are advertised as for an 03/A3 but hard to tell from this side of the pond as their site has very few pictures and no dimensions.
    Any hints tips appreciated.

    Richard

  9. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    supercub's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Last On
    08-31-2023 @ 10:07 AM
    Location
    Anchorage, Alaska
    Posts
    123
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:29 PM
    If your looking for a sight that will replace the somewhat course original, you don't have a lot of choices. I mentioned the only Williams sight I know of and gave a link. All those you have mentioned are drill and tape receiver type like a Lyman 48 etal. The only benefit to the Williams sight I mentioned is the ability to change apatures that work better for you. The adj are a little finer but are screw set vs knob. Why no one has come up with a bridge mounted knob adjustable for windage and elevation puzzles me. Gary Bush posted pictures on the Culvericon site of the known replacement dovetail sights for the 03A3. Do a search on that sight for that thread.

    Kurt

  10. #8
    Legacy Member Aussie48's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last On
    04-12-2020 @ 06:16 PM
    Location
    The Land Down Under, Australia
    Posts
    366
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    11:29 AM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks Kurt will have a look on Culvericon and see what information I can gleen

    Cheers

    Richard

  11. #9
    Legacy Member Aussie48's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last On
    04-12-2020 @ 06:16 PM
    Location
    The Land Down Under, Australia
    Posts
    366
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    11:29 AM
    Thread Starter
    Hi Kurt,

    Yes I checked out the link you gave me but didn't think I would get enough elevation and on visiting the Williams site they don't appear to make that model any more.

    Couldn't find the Culvericon site but looking at the photos in more depth I think I have worked out what he has done. The article itself is merely to show how to remove the sight and base nothing more.

    I believe he has used a Williams FP-A3 sight which would normally be drilled and tapped by the look of it to the right hand side of the receiver (I have never seen one so have had to make some assumptions). Instead he has used another rear sight base, flattened it and drilled 1 or 2 holes in the top of the sight (they may already be there) and drilled and tapped the flattened base and used that to mount the FP-A3 sight to the base. The modified base is fixed to the bridge exactly as per the original sight by the screw located on the right side of the sight base and the FP-A3 screwed onto the base.

    Do you think I have worked it out? If you think I'm right I have found a new FP-A3 sight her in Australiaicon on EBAY and instead of trying to get a spare sight base from Sarco or Numrich will mill the dovetail into a piece of flat Marine grade Aluminium, might make a few while I have my mill set up in case anyone else here wants one. Yours and Peter Laidlers thoughts would be much appreciated.

    Cheers

    Richard

  12. #10
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    supercub's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Last On
    08-31-2023 @ 10:07 AM
    Location
    Anchorage, Alaska
    Posts
    123
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:29 PM
    I think I have a visual on what your "aiming for". Basically your saying you could make an L shaped (upside down) mount that would dovetail onto the original base. Then modify the Williams side mount to attach to that. Probably could be done. You would most likely need to play with the front blade heights.
    I couldn't find the old Gary Bush post but they have just moved and upgraded that site so the archives only go back a couple years. I'm out of town so I don't have access to my links and such. Back home this weekend.

    Kurt

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Springfield 03A3 Rear Sight Removal and Replacement
    By Badger in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-29-2019, 07:53 AM
  2. Springfield 03A3 Rear Sight Removal and Replacement
    By Badger in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-09-2009, 12:31 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks