Rfg. Design 868970. Model 8/53

[Dear_mum]

I'm really excited about joining a group of people who have the same love for milsurp rifles that I have. I've always enjoyed target shooting, but I got away from it for quite a few years. Amateur photography diverted me. Now, I'm back. I haven't lost my love for photography, but I've become more excited by old military rifles and the history behind each. Like photography, there's so much to learn, and I'm loving every minute of it!

Back in the 60s, I owned a WWI German Luger which I loved to shoot. I sold it to help pay for my college tuition. Wish I had kept it. Now, I own several milsurp rifles, including two Enfields. One is an Australian No. 1 Mark III SMLE, and the other is a Canadian Long Branch No. 1 Mark IV. The latter has a "Alfd. J. Parker Birm." target sight on it, I think. It also says "Rfg. Design 868970. Model 8/53." It has two little wheels for elevation and windage adjustments. I was about to replace it with a 1300 yd. micrometer rear sight that I purchased, but maybe I'll keep the original on it.

I have a difficult time seeing through the pinhole-sized hole on my Parker peep sight. Do any of you know where I can purchase just the peep hole part of the sight (little thumb wheel with a tiny hole in it, etc.)? I want to get a larger hole so I can see through it better. Look forward to any info you can provide. Thanks.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Just a couple of things. That Parker peep sight isn't the original for your rifle. It's a post war/50's after market addition.

If I'm not mistaken, the thumb-wheel you mention should rotate within the eye piece housing. It might be a bit tight through lack of use, but try rotating it and you'll see that there are in fact 5 or 6 different size holes appear as you rotate the little inner wheel. On the other hand, if yours isn't adjustable but a fixed hole size, then I'm sure someone will come in and tell you where you can obtain a couple of different sizes to suit or a new replacement adjustable one.

They regularly appear on Ebay

[Brian Dick]

The AJP 8/53 is a backsight attachment. If you remove the screw in the middle that holds it to the rear sight assembly, you'll find a standard, original Mk.1 milled adjustable rear sight assembly.

[Mk VII]

No doubt it's one of these



seen here with one of the screw-in peeps of various sizes that I've got. I've got some multi-hole ones as well, if you want one.
My experience has been that you sometimes have to some selective assembly to get a combination that is neither too loose or too tight to screw together.
Don't loose the special fixing screw (though I've made several on the lathe over the years)