What "should" this look like

Terryj try looking here for starts, some time one gets lucky with Numrich
Firearm Parts and Accessories | Numrich Gun Parts Corp. | e-GunParts.com

Also, Springfield Sporters seems to be a good source of parts.

I'd leave the rear sight alone for now. Don't worry w/ volley sight fore end and other parts, due to your '27 vintage barrel its entirely OK to leave those bits off.


Pattern14, I believe the reference to a "pinned" rear sight is about formerly windage adjustable sights that have had the adjustment knob and cross shaft cut off flush, w/ the remainder locked in place by a vertical pin. The elevation adjustment was not affected.

Re the 'pinning' of backsights. As a matter of interest, although I don't have a lot of experience with No1 rifles and the earler variants, we did have hundreds of No1 DP's EY's and a few hundred service Cadet Forces No1 rifles under our wing, I never saw a pinned backsight of all the many variables we ever came across. In fact No1 rifle backsight assemblies were one of the parts that were still available from Ordnance Stores (together with Bayonet grips/screws as I seem to recall.........) So any oddball backsight we encountered on a 3 or 3*, we simply replaced with a fixed/screw-on cap backsight assembly. I also seem to recall that when we got them, they were wrapped in brown greasy paper and had an axis pin fitted too. But the axis pin was a cheapo pin with hollowed ends that you just gently peened over to secure in place......, just like the Sterling SMG butt and backsight axis pin. In fact I kept a slack handfull* '.......just in case', as you do!

* slack handfull. A REME technical term indicating a sizeable quantity in excess of that normally required. Generally retained for ones own use in the future

That explains the axis pin mystery! Seen 'em before, but didn't knoe the origins.

Two types of "pinned" backsight being discussed here:

1) Early windage adjustable rear that had the windage feature eliminated as above. (most likely done when the windage feature became U/S)
2) .410" smoothbore single shot rear sight that was pinned through the elevation adjustment.

Plus now, Captain Laidler's rear sight "retaining" or axis pin that passes through the rear sight block afixed to the barrel, replacing the three piece axis pin assembly.

Just so's were all on the same page, here....