NPM Front Sight Question?

[painter777]

Have NPM 4,157,xxx

It has WRA Type I frt sight. I can see no signs of it being removed.

Any records of WRA sending frt sights to NPM?

Thx,
Charlie-painter777

Information

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[frankderrico]

Hi Charlie,

I caught a cold over the weekend. I thought I could sweat it out yesturday so I pushed and did my monday morning 5mi. run wearing a 12lb. vest. I fell asleep in my recliner about 18:30 last night. Feeling better today. I'll get the Postal Meter out and check the front sight. I haven't done a data sheet on it yet. It was in a new Du-Page stock, I bought just the rifle and think I did O.K. on it. There were probably 10 GI carbines around the show and a few commercials. Nothing special, I thought they were all over priced from my view. Saw alot of M1 Garands that I think people get from CMP and than double the price at the gun show. Last week I went to an auction that had a QHMC. It had a type 1 band, flip sight, (both real) couldn't take it apart to look at the internals. The stock was heavly sanded no markings of any kind even the sligwell was sanded. To bad oval cut highwood. On my third look I was checking it out for import marks and noticed the barrel had been counter bored about an inch. I bid on it up to $800 than passed, it went to an out of state over the phone buyer for over $1,100. Makes me wonder how honest the auction co. was in their description. There pic of it made it look alot better than in person. What barrel do you have on the NPM? Best Regaurds.....Frank

[frankderrico]

Hi Charlie, checked the NPM, I believe it has an S.G. sight. It's milled, unmarked with the narrow groove behind the blade. It also has the cut in the barrel behind the sight, black park. It has the J.M.Q./EM-Q type 3 band and a IRCO/7160060 rear sight, staked. This one is 4,176,3xx. I need a battery for the camara so no pics. for now.....Frank

[painter777]

This one is NPM 4,157,097
Last owner had told me he had a Gunsmith swap the bolt and slide.
I pulled a blued RMC flat bolt from it along with a Inland type IV slide.
Said he was having trouble with FTF and extracting at one time.
No NPM parts were on it when I bought it.
Barrel looks to be original to the receiver.
Marlin no date barrel with small P proof approx 5 1/4" from muzzle with NPM Punch mark 5 3/4" from muzzle.
Frt Sight looks to be a WRA with a light thumbnail milling scars. But want to match it up to a real WRA to be sure the outer ears are the same.
Does have a Black finish on the barrel and receiver.
In fact most all the parts I had tucked away for the day I found a NPM also have this same black finish.

Here's a picture of the P proof and NPM punch mark....


The Marlin barrel marking....


This marking on the bottom of the barrel, 7" from muzzle. Not sure if it's another partial P proof stamp or possibly a flame lick from a ordnance bomb?


A number 3 stamped on top of the rear section of the barrel. Halfway between the gas cylinder and chamber....


A number 1 or I stamped on the left side of the gas cylinder....


A Ordnance bomb stamped on the right side of the gas cylinder....


A O stamped on the barrel flat next to the gas piston and nut....


Number 22 stamped on the bottom of the receivers front lug....


What I believe to be a WRA front sight. Will compare to a original....




Curious about the P or Bomb flame on the bottom of the barrel.
Could just be a scar. Don't know at this point.

Cheers,
Charlie-painter777

[frankderrico]

Charlie, I took a look. Mine 4,176,305, has the same blackish finish both barrel and receiver. Has the same P and punch as yours. Has the bomb above the piston like yours. Has what looks like a 10 or 16 on the receiver lug, can't quit tell seems to have rebounded when stamped. It does not have any other numbers or letters on the barrel. I'll get some pics tomorrow. It came with the Rock TH an IBM slide, a NPM flat bolt, 0 N sideways on the left lug. I haven't got it any more apart, but it sure is a good shooter. My new early Win, has the thumb print front sight, the milling looks differant than yours I'll get pics of that to.....Frank

[DaveHH]

My NPM has an RIA front sight on the original IBM Corp barrel. War baby shows no Win sights going to NPM.

Attachment 20499

[painter777]

Thanks DaveHH,
I have 2 Winchesters here with real WRA frt sights. Plus have 2-3 in the parts box.
I've tried to study the Lyman sights the most, but there may be other makers closer in shape.
I also have a picture showing a WRA's side profile compared to a TR marked Rock Ola.
Found out before that the Thumbnail milling isn't the sure way to ID a WRA sight.
The curved side profile of the outer ears top and rear side is a common trait found on Lyman sights.
I've found different styles of the thumbnail milling on other makers sights. Some coarser, some lighter all depends on the cutters size and how aggressive the milling.
From what I can tell, Lyman used a more aggressive/larger cutting head.
Thanks also for the transfer information from War Baby. I mis-placed my copy a year or better back. I know the kids are plannng on getting me another copy, but it was full of notes I'd wrote down since way back when I first joined the old CSP.

Thx Again, Appreciate your help,
Charlie-painter777

RMC on the left. WRA on the right. Note the rounder contour on the top and rear lobe of the WRA sight..


WRA on left, RMC on right..


RMC TR marked sight on top, WRA on bottom. Both show a thumbnail milling style..


Thumb style on N marked sight on a S'G' 1,823,135..

[ScottR]

Charlie
The original NPM I sold, ser # 4169XXX has a SN type2 front sight.

Scott

[DaveHH]

notice the slight rippling of the metal at the round portion, I believe that this is common on Win. According to Marty B. the best way to identify a Win sight is by the blunt staking of the pin and the remnants of what was ground off on either side of the blade. He said that mine is Win.