Loose sight ladder on 1903

[RBruce]

Is there a way to take the play out of the rear sight adjustment? Mine will shift close to half of a mark on the scale. --TIA

Bruce Sharer
Raleigh, NC

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Allen Humphrey]

Presuming the windage adjustment.... some play is normal and expected. The windage screw spring should return the sight to the same position. If this link works it should give you some background on the sight and function.

Using the M1905 Sights on the M1903 Rifle.pdf - Google Drive

if the sight does not return, then the windage spring may be weak or broken. However it is more likely that the sight base is dirty with old hard grease and just needs to be removed, cleaned, and re-lubricated.

[RBruce]

Allen,
Thank you. This is an excellent article. I am fairly familiar with the 03 rear sight, but this provides an in-depth explanation of the mechanics. I disassembled the rear sight on 1918 Springfield, and noted that the threads on the windage know has a lot of wear. The corresponding area on the sight ladder was in excellent condition. I installed a NOS WWI replacement knob, and found that the play was greatly reduced. I'm guessing that period windage knobs are un-obtainium. I'll keep the original in case I need to display the rifle or sell it. Thanks again for the information. --Bruce

[Fred G.]

If the original is Bent, then it will allow play. Check it out because they bend easily. They can also be bent straight again easily using the wooden handle of a hammer or some other sort of hard wood stick on a wood surface (with the knob out of the rifle). You'll have to eyeball it very carefully. This has allways worked for me when I found a loose fit on a rifle. Fred

[RBruce]

Attached are photos of my original (top) and a NOS WWII replacement.

[Fred G.]

Bruce, I just saw this reply from long ago! Yep, the original sure WAS worn. Your replacement should or should've done the job. How did it fit? Fred