Mauser M71 cavalry carbine at the range

[villiers]

Have scratched away the crud and found that ... both the Werder AND the M71 carbine really do have dovetailed front sight blades. So, all is not lost. Just have to find blades that fit (or have dovetails that are a bit bigger and can be filed down).

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Just have to find blades that fit

Search "the usual suspects" for extra-tall blades for the Kar98. I have fitted these to Mausers from the M1871 BPCR right through to the FN-Israeli, including the Argentine Engineer's Carbine. It may look a bit odd if the blade comes up above the ears, but it works! It seems that Mauser dovetail dimensions stayed constant for a century.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Patrick, here are some photos of the tall K98 blade in the Argentine Engineers Carbine.

Attachment 33172

Attachment 33171

The M71 carbine is probably very similar, and as you can see,
Attachment 33170

it may be necessary to file the ends of the dovetail to provide some left-right clearance for adjusting the windage.


Patrick

[villiers]

Thanx again Patrick (for the info that Mauser used the same measurements). I was a bit wary of the blade dovetail expanding the dovetail base on the rifle (as happened to me once previously with a P08). I´ve got some Mauser K89 front sight blades. Not worried too much if the dovetail´s a bit smaller as I can stick them in with Loctite. Will post a pic of the finished product.

[Patrick Chadwick]

if the dovetail´s a bit smaller as I can stick them in with Loctite.

You might regret the Loctite later if you want to shift the blade. If the dovetail is loose, the best way of tightening it is to peen it on the bottom surface at a couple of spots, close to the edge, with a well-pointed centre punch. If you have one of the spring-loaded type that "snaps" when you press hard enough, you can do this very sensitively without needing a hammer, repeating until you get enough friction.