1903 front sight question

As part of my build project, I converted an 03A3 bbl to 1903 pattern. A friend in town gave me an original 1903 front base and pin, but it didn't come with the set screw or sight insert.

I got a new insert (complete with sight blade, I think it's a Remington part) from GPC as well as the set screw.

the inserts don't seem to go in tight enough to stay put without the set screw, but the set screw is long enough that it will protrude out the front of the sight base a good ways with the dovetail insert installed.

So my question is, when built back in the day, were the dovetailed front sight inserts devoted or drilled to accept the tongue on the set screw? Or were the set screws shortened to fit the base?

If this is difficult to visualize, I can post some pics later.

Sadly, the only other 1903 barrels I have on-hand are older shot-out ones with the front sight base installed, but they are missing the screw and original insert as well :(

so..chamfer or round the edge of the nose of the set screw, put a little grease on it...and screw it in, when it starts to get tight, back it off, and turn it again, it will go into the hole inside the sight..and hold it tight, careful that screw breaks easy

Hmm... I don't think my sight insert has a corresponding hole in it?? The screw is already chamfered and I'm pretty sure is not repro, but the sight insert could be - dunno. Depends if Numrich is selling fakes of these or not.

The dovetail sight should have a small hole for the screw. You can drill it when it is on the base but you can mess it up - I mark the dovetail and mill a small hole for the screw

Right, gotcha. So it looks like this sight base is a repro then. Too bad as apart from the lack of that hole, it fit and looked original and I'm sure the blade and pin are original too.

I'll see if I can get the hole lined up sufficiently well to mill it out. If not, I think I found a source for original bases.

Possible the moveable stud is NOS. I believe they were not drilled until the rifle was sighted in.

Coming from GPC, who knows? :confused:

Mike is right, the new original dovetail sight base is without the small hole

Ah, so the plot thickens. SA must have had a jig to drill these then.

I have another shot-out bbl coming with the receiver I bought to replace my SHT unit - when it arrives, maybe I'll get lucky and it will have a complete front sight assembly. We shall see.

more then likely repro,. i have a few new in the package 1903 sights...they have holes.. heck even after marked lyman and redfields have set screw holes.