Help with an 8/53 sight

[Cottage Hill Bill]

I've just picked up an 8/53 sight for my No.8 but I'm missing the screw to attach it to the main sight.

Can anyone help me find a suitable screw?

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

That screw is simplicity itself to make if you can't find an original - and I'm sure that you won't!

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Simplicity indeed if: you're in the UK or someplace else where that thread screw is readily available, or if you have a handy lathe that will duplicate the threads. However, I'm in the states where my choice of store bought screws is SAE or metric and my lathe is a very small hobbyist model with no thread cutting features. Granted I can re-tap the hole for a SAE thread and use a SAE screw but I would prefer to put the right thing in the hole if possible.

So, if you could tell me what the size is or even better post me a screw with the proper size head and thread I'll gladly pay the cost of the screw, postage and a bit for your troubles.

Thanks,
RW

[limpetmine]

Check McMaster Carr for British thread screws. They have some.

[Peter Laidler]

It's all about self-help that goes with owning an Enfield. Here's some help to start you on that road. First, your lathe is EXACTLY what is needed. You need a .185" dia rod, .525" or so long. The first .330" is main o/d (.185) while the top, screw threaded section is 7BA. But I don't suppose it would make one jot of difference if your tame turned/home hobbiest/model engineer made it 6BA or the nearest SAE size. Because being Parker Hale with their bent for mickey mouse thread sizes, it could be anything! On the other hand, you could just clean off the back of the sight, the face of the sliding cursor and soft solder the 8/53 sight to the cursor. Just like mine is!

[Patrick Chadwick]

I've just picked up an 8/53 sight for my No.8 but I'm missing the screw to attach it to the main sight.

Can anyone help me find a suitable screw?

Thought...This is almost Bubbaring, but if you are desparate...

7BA over-thread diameter / pitch .... 2.5mm / 0.48mm
2.5mm standard metric...................................0.45mm

Hmmmm? Might work if you take a brass 2.5mm screw, well oiled, and ease it in and out carefully - finger-and-thumb-on-screwdriver power, no wrenches! A screw that is softer than the steel of the sight should reform sufficiently over the fairly short thread length. Depends on how sloppy the hole in the sight is.

I think I've done this on one of my Enfields, but will have to go and check and report back later.
Later: Sorry, memory incorrect. I have done this sort of thing several times before, but not this particular combination. You should regard my advice above as "untried, use at your own risk".

[Mk VII]

I've made these screws in the past, and I've got a spare one (I usually make two as it's not much more trouble than one). It's self-coloured as the stuff I made it out of didn't want to take a cold blue.
I make the slot much deeper than the shallow originals (which usually burr thirty seconds after you've brandished a screwdriver at them).

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Thanks all. Just knowing now what size it is is a big help.

[30Three]

I've bought BA screws from A Series spares before. I had good service from them. See link. The other option is to buy a 7BA die and turn a blank screw in your lathe and then thread it with the die.

7BA BRASS DOME SLOTTED HEAD MACHINE SCREWS - A-Series Spares

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Thanks all for the help. Once I knew what size screw was required it got much easier. A #3-48 is fairly easily persuaded to work. As Patrick suggested, some oil and some patience. It's pretty close to start with and soon becomes accustomed to its new home.