How to take apart the slide group of a 1903

[André]

I own a "put together" 1903A1 and find that the peep hole in the slide assembly is too large for my sight. I procured a replacement slide assembly with a smaller hole and would like to install it. I noticed that the slide assembly (= little plate with peep and sighting notches) is fixed with a screw on the opposite side of the adjustment knob (slide binding screw). There is also a tiny pin near the latter which botters me ; does it concur to hold both halves of the slide group together or is it related to the binding screw ? I tried and removed the left screw but this alone doesn't free the slide group ; without knowing more, I stopped right there. Could someone instruct me in the proper way to operate and switch my 2 slide assemblies ?



Many thanks in advance.

Information

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[Tom in N.J.]

The little pin prevents the lock screw from coming out and the top of the slide from moving to the left for removal. Drift the little pin down far enough to remove the screw assembly . after removing the small screw on the drift assembly, move the top half to the left and remove. The drift is now able to be removed.

[Allen Humphrey]

If memory serves, you will need to punch the pin out. the pin secures the dovetail assembly of the slide cap and captures the binding screw. Soak it overnight with some penetrating oil. You could take a different approach and fill the hole with a dab of epoxy and re-drill to a smaller hole. completely reversible later if needed.

FYI, I see you are listed as Belgium. My great grandfather immigrated to the US in 1906 and his birthplace is listed as Westeappelles Belgium. It was good timing on his part given the event about to unfold in Europe a few years after he left. I think he would have been 29 years old in 1914.

[André]

Thanks to both of you for the info which I'll put to good use.

About your great-grandfather, Allen, he left Belgium at an opportune time indeed. Westkapelle is a village lying near Knokke, at the North Sea coast. The 14-18 bloody trench war extended close to it.

[André]

Having 2 ways to proceed, I felt confident I could always fall back on Allen's easier/lengthier method (fill peephole and re-drill) in case I didn't succeed with Tom's take-apart M.O.

Off I went with the latter and it worked like a charm ! BTW, you really have to be informed about the "tap left and lift off" in order to remove the upper half of the slide

Thanks again to both of you.