SMLE windage adjustable rear sight disassembly

A HUGE thank you to fellow member "SMLE addict" for contributing a doner rear sight to restore mine, which had the adjustment knob cut off at some point in its life.

If possible, I'd like to retain my original sight slider/leaf and just replace the knob/shaft to restore it to keep numbers matching. I don't want to start trying to disassemble this intact sight and wind up ruining it, then I'm worse off than I started.

How does it come apart? I see a small flathead screw opposite of the knob. Will this screw come out and release the knob/threaded shaft, allowing me to simply do the same on my original sight and then drop the replacement in and install the flathead?

I hope it isn't a silly question. I just don't want to start disassembling it and screw it up somehow!

You will fist need to drive the very small diameter pin from the windgauge wheel. It is very small, and you will need the smallest of punches. Once that is out, the wheel should come right off, along with the spring behind it. You will now be able to unscrew the shaft on the opposite side.

Best of luck!

Here's a pic Glenn. The one I sent might be covered in dirt or grease. Just go very slowly when tapping that pin out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smle addict

You will fist need to drive the very small diameter pin from the windgauge wheel. It is very small, and you will need the smallest of punches. Once that is out, the wheel should come right off, along with the spring behind it. You will now be able to unscrew the shaft on the opposite side.

Best of luck!

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The very, very small ittsy, bitsy hole for the pin is .040 inch in diameter. The pin itself is larger for a very tight press fit. I just pulled one off of a No 1 MKIII rear sight for put on one that has a significant number of stops on the windage wheel. The original has 4 stops total. I made one that has 16 stops total. I believe the rear sight for the No.1 MKIII is the best ramp rear sight ever put on a military rifle. I just put this one on my K98 Mauser which I assembling in .22LR using a .22LR Springfield M2 front bolt section.

--fjruple

Just remember to put the wheel at something when you tap out and in the small pin. The axis screw is wery thin and will bent I you tap directly
On it if it is not supported.

Jsne