To fix or not to fix flipper

[dnikkor]

I picked up a flip sight last year that I believe to be true. It also looks like somebody took a file to it, possibly to (brutally) clean off some of the rust. None of my carbines are beat up enough to install this ugly beast, but maybe I will get lucky enough to get a CMP RG Inland ugly enough to match....I know, be careful what you wish for.

Anyway, my question of the day is should I drive the pin out and disassemble to further clean and replace the rusty leaf spring with a new one, or would this be moving from bad to worse? Anybody have a better suggestion?

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[jimb16]

You've got nothing to loose. I'd disassemble then dip it in Naval Jelly to clean it. After that, I'd either blue it or park it.

[dnikkor]

Thanks Jim. My main concern is to keep from turning my (believed to be) authentic flip sight into just another fake. I guess it doesn't do me any good just sitting in my workshop covered with WD40.

[browningautorifle]

I don't know how purist you have to be to refuse to re-finish a weapon of war. That was done all the time by the authorities that held them in charge. As it is, it's not too useable. How does refinishing make it fake?

[dnikkor]

I don't know how purist you have to be to refuse to re-finish a weapon of war. That was done all the time by the authorities that held them in charge. As it is, it's not too useable. How does refinishing make it fake?

Great points. I was worried that the NOS leaf spring I have would stick out too much. Shortly after I got it, Harlan suggested that if anything (once de-rusted) I give it a little bluing and steer away from reparking it. I guess I worry too much.

[painter777]

dnikkor,
I bought 1 complete and 2 flip sight base's while digging thru a dealers junk box of misc parts a few years ago.

The complete one had a leaf spring that had no tension and was almost rusted in two. The leaf has a weak .U. stamp on it.
This is the one when I took it apart and cleaned the crud out from under the old spring I found the .U. marking on. The crud was holding moisture, thus causing the leaf to freely rust away. It took a lot of heavy wire brushing to the inside to pull that marking up.

I was shocked at how much crud was under there. I now make sure I spray clean, and oil under the spring on any flip sight I own. I'd like to take all of my flip sights apart to see if anymore are marked.....But Marcus threatened to cut my fingers off if I did.

I used a spring from Egunparts to fix it up.
I've read where Underwood sent rear sight bases and flip sight assemblys to Inland. Very possible they sent some to other makers.
Maybe true that other makers supplied flip sight bases, leafs or complete sights to other makers. No telling what's out there.
How often does one take a flip sight apart?

Long story short........when cleaning it off.......look for any marking inside the base.

While apart I would have it lightly bead blasted and have a 'Light ' repark applied. A fresh finish will extend it's life.

Please report any marking if you come upon one.

Good Luck,
Charlie

It's the one on the left,

[dnikkor]

Thanks Charlie! I'll let you know if I find anything interesting. This project is kinda back burner right now.

Also, do you just drive the pin out & then drive it back when done?

[painter777]

Also, do you just drive the pin out & then drive it back when done?

Yes,
But I'd use a high quality penetrating oil on it.
You might have to touch up the end with cold blue after putting it back in.

Charlie