SMLE Mk 1 rearsight question

[Peter Laidler]

Threads 9 and 10........ Just like the Mk2 backsight of the Bren

[RobD]

Thanks, all - that's very useful so far!
Can anyone describe how I take the Mk 1 sight windage mechanism apart - or provide an exploded diagram?
Rob

[Peter Laidler]

You - or both of us - have opened up a whole can of worms now Rob!

[mike1967]

In fact, noting that the knob's notches were simple v-shaped grooves extending across the back surface of the knob

Are you sure thats the same sight as the one in the picture in the original post?

[mike1967]

Can anyone describe how I take the Mk 1 sight windage mechanism apart

I can take the elevation part out, but haven't worked out how to remove the windage screw. The elevation, you need to remove the little captive screw on the leaf, then wind up the sight all the way till it disengages the thread, then it simply pulls out. The elevation screw has a collar half way up the thread that fits into a slot cut into the leaf itself, thats what keeps it in place, its a snug push/pull fit.

[mhb]

I can take the elevation part out, but haven't worked out how to remove the windage screw. The elevation, you need to remove the little captive screw on the leaf, then wind up the sight all the way till it disengages the thread, then it simply pulls out. The elevation screw has a collar half way up the thread that fits into a slot cut into the leaf itself, thats what keeps it in place, its a snug push/pull fit.

The windage knob is pinned to the threaded shaft: a very small-diameter pin passes through the knob and the shaft. You will have to drive the pin out (carefully, so as not to deform or lose it) with a punch of appropriate diameter. Inspect the knob to determine which end of the pin is deformed from being driven-in, then clamp the knob carefully but firmly in your vise using non-marring jaws or pads and drive the pin out from the other end. This will enable you to remove the knob (it may have to be 'coaxed' off the shaft due to dirt, rust, etc.). Remove the spring beneath the knob, after which you can back the threaded shaft out of the threads in the leaf with a proper-sized screwdriver (you may have to remove the gunk from the screw slot first) and remove it and the notched sight plate from the leaf: there is a small flat spring between the sight leaf and the sight plate, which provides tension between the parts to reduce slop between them, and you will have to be careful not to lose that, too, because it is very small.
Clean all the parts as necessary, and inspect them to be sure they are serviceable - you'll probably have to scrape the gunk out of the notches in the windage knob, and remove the accumulated paint and crud from all parts. Pay close attention to the threads on the shaft and the internal ones in the leaf. Lubricate everything and re-assemble in reverse order.
You said you are able to remove the elevation slide, and that, too, can be stripped and cleaned, but you will need a proper-sized spanner for the holes in the plunger head - it can be made by carefully filing a screwdriver to fit.
Additionally, you might want to polish the top of the sight leaf a bit, to make it look better and the graduations easier to read.
Work carefully and you should have no trouble, though the caution against losing some of the smaller parts is worth keeping in mind.

Good Luck!

mhb - MIke

Later: Actually, the instructions posted here are for the #1 MkIII sight, which is not the same as the original sight pictured. I have not disassembled the sight shown, but, so far as one can tell from the description in Skennerton, the windage assembly does NOT have clicks, and the graduations are equal to 6MOA. I'd still bet a shilling the knob is pinned to the threaded shaft.
Sorry for any confusion.

[mike1967]

MHB thanks for the info but i think you are referring to the wrong sight, you are discussing the windage sight on the early No1 MkIII, the thread is discussing the earlier one on the ShtLE1 or No1 Mk1. There are no pins on the earlier one.

Regards

Mike

[Big Ball Bag]

I have 10 ShTLE MkI*, none have clicks on the windage.

None have pins holding the sight togeather.

Pic below show the use of collared screws and a sliding dovetail plate to retain the windage screw on a MkI* rear sight.

Note, no grooves or ball bearings or clicker plates on these parts.




[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Ridolpho]

Add my two to the mix and , I believe, that makes 16 Mk I's that don't have "clicks" that have been mentioned so-far. Big Ball bag's photos seem clear- just friction. And BBB- show us some of those Mk I*'s. How have you managed to acquire 10 of them?

Ridolpho

[mhb]

provides the exact info needed - well done!
And, it's a damned good thing nobody took me up on the bet: I could have lost a whole day's pay!
"... I'm old and I'm nervis,
I'm cast from the Service,
And all I deserve is a shillin' a day." - regards to R.K.

mhb - MIke