Front sight hood?

[koldt]

Alright, where is the definitive answer for the orientation of the front sight hood???

I've read some of the normal books, as well as some of the manufacturer correspondence. Been to the Citadel museum in Quebec City, the National War Museum in Ottawa, the Museum of the Regiments in Calgary, Fort Henry in Kingston, Talked with a few curators, etc, etc, etc...... all pretty good authorities.. I've got a couple pics of a PPCLI rifle in the PPCLI museum and a couple others to post later.

I've only seen ONE book that indicates the hood should be oriented with the flat side towards shooter. Everything else indicates the bevel should match the sight base, ie. with the slant following the base towards the shooter, and the flat side towards the muzzle.

I just can't imagine why they would purposely mount the sight hood opposite to the angle of the sight base????

I do a fair share of shooting as well, and no one is going to be able to say that having the sight hood either way is going to guarantee a better sight picture, and therefore make the shooter/rifle more precise.

Guess I'm just looking for reason to mount the sight hood goofy or leave it so it looks reasonable.

Information

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[Rossguy]

As long as you're happy with it either way....fine. The original illustration in the 1907 Manual shows the bevel to the rear, but all other Manuals/Catalogs plus nearly all period photographs show it forward. Your choice entirely.

[koldt]

Thanks for the input, but in your array of literature does it explain why it is oriented that way? I just find it looks goofy with the flat to the muzzle and can't understand why it would be done that way. Totally against the natural flow and contour design of the rifle. I know aesthetics are not a huge consideration during times of global warfare, or the prospect of same, but I love the looks of my MkIII.

I'm always looking for the design and mechanical reasons for the way something was produced.

[Rossguy]

My best guess would be that with the onslaught of government inspectors imposed upon Sir Charles all making demands would likely be the source.
From a manufacturing standpoint, it would have been simpler to eliminate the bevel entirely, and esthetically, I think it would look better. Another oddity: Ross originally fed machine screws in from left to right....nearly every relatively unmolested US Contract Mk II*** I've seen over many years has them going right to left.

[Surpmil]

If the purpose of the hood is to keep light from reflecting off the back of the blade and so improve the contrast, similar to blackening sight blades etc., then it would make more sense to have the bevel at the front.

It was would also make more sense for the purpose of deflecting objects that might strike the hood or brush over it as the soldier carried/used his rifle etc.