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  1. #1
    Legacy Member highpower3006's Avatar
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    '03 rear sight question

    I have a '03 serial number 1461633 barrel date 7-34 that I just purchased. I have a few 1903 rifles and none of them have a rear sight slide like the one that is on this rifle. There is a line on the slide that under close magnification appears to be filled with platinum or silver. There is no star on the muzzle or a star gauge number stamped on the barrel, so I am assuming that this is just one of the standard 1903 rifles produced in 1934.

    It it some kind of NM sight? I only have three others so I don't have a large personal database to choose from. I was reading about them in Brophy's book but he just mentioned the early sights with the platinum line bisecting the peep sight. The picture was taken right after I got it and before I took the time to clean it up so I apologize for the dirt that is in the line.

    Any information that I could get on it would be greatly appreciated.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
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    Rick the Librarian's Avatar
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    Never seen one exactly like that - I took the liberty of passing the picture along to Joustericon, as well.
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  5. #3
    Legacy Member Fred G.'s Avatar
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    At its lowest possible setting, that rear sight notch with the leaf in the up position would put the shooter on a target at 1400 yards range. I believe that the line is just a scratch put into the bottom of the battle sight notch by somebody who wanted to create a fine groove to sight through on the Battle Sight.
    Last edited by Fred G.; 02-08-2015 at 06:11 PM.

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    Seems to be the consensus.
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    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
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    Maybe something luminous, when shooting in the night in the "battle position"? Or to use it in the same position with a different contoured front sight.

  8. #6
    Legacy Member highpower3006's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    It is most definitely not a scratch. It is very finely machined and the filler is almost certainly a metal like platinum as there is no tarnish on it. I don't believe it was done by the arsenal, but the quality of the machine work tells me it certainly wasn't done on someones kitchen table.

    Last edited by highpower3006; 02-08-2015 at 08:07 PM.

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    Legacy Member Fred G.'s Avatar
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    Well that IS interesting!

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    Advisory Panel Chuckindenver's Avatar
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    shooter mod..
    the filled lines iv seen are on the iris of the sight
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

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    Legacy Member emmagee1917's Avatar
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    Maybe a grenader added it to stand out against shadows in a town type setting.
    Chris

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