N marked front sight question

[Weaverj]

Can anyone verify for me that there was an N marked front sight that had two grooves on each side of the center? The picture I saw looked like it was ball mill cut and only ran part way, not the entire length.

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[painter777]

Yes.

See many milling variations on top ledge, most likely from the operator.

HTH

[Weaverj]

I didn't know if a certain style was used then changed over time or it varied with the operator.

[painter777]

I didn't know if a certain style was used then changed over time

IP, S'G' and SG all used the Type I Milled front sight. Which was milled from one solid block.
Some other makers later on used the Type II front sights, when they became available, these we call 'Fabricated' and supposedly quicker and cheaper to make by stamping and brazing together. These were made of multiple pieces.

Your N sight is legit, just not often seen milled that way. There was a War on, Carbine production was deemed critical.......So no one was really worried about being pretty.

I found a N marked front sight currently being offered on a Auction site. Appears to have the same 2 grooves, just located farther forward.... See pic.
Auction Item number: eBay item number:304149621358



PS: Just looked at your GALLERY PICTURE. It shows a number 7 on the outer left ear. Be nice to see a Size / Font Comparison on that #7.

[Weaverj]

Yes.

See many milling variations on top ledge, most likely from the operator.

HTH

The N is very faint in the picture. The grooves are unique compared to other sights of this type I have seen.

[painter777]

The N is very faint in the picture. The grooves are unique compared to other sights of this type I have seen.

I see the background of your picture matches listings by the seller tagmil in Wyoming.
The Same seller of the N sight Example I posted above.
BTW, R marked front sights Are Not Rock Ola, I'm betting the seller already knows this

Here is the same background in his listing for a EU Type II front sight:



Ebay item: eBay item number:304172071174

[Weaverj]

I see the background of your picture matches listings by the seller tagmil in Wyoming.
The Same seller of the N sight Example I posted above.
BTW, R marked front sights Are Not Rock Ola, I'm betting the seller already knows this

Here is the same background in his listing for a EU Type II front sight:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0/sl1600-2.jpg

Ebay item: eBay item number:304172071174

Correct. I haven't received it in the mail yet. I used the stock photo.

[painter777]

I haven't received it in the mail yet.

JW,
The 2nd picture in your gallery (below) shows the number 7 on the left outer leaf. Meaning blade height when made.
Numbered blade height front sights were used by IP.
The numbers 0 to 8 came in at least 2 heights (tall), maybe 3... heights ??
I don't remember if the number Font style was the same.
I believe these 'Leftovers' were also used by S'G' after the take over.

*Anyone out there with a N marked sight with a number?

@ USGIBOB, Doesn't your S'G' 1,8 have a N marked sight with number like this ??
And if IIRC isn't it a small 7 ??

[USGI]

I just looked at the (2) pics in the OP's gallery. If they're both of the same sight, something's wrong because a 7 has a lot more ground off the blade than what's shown there. My understanding is that the sights were ground before being installed. I've got BQ's notes on that somewhere. - Bob

[painter777]

Bob,
I found the info BQ shared with us about the IP numbered sights.
Copied and pasted:

It was Irwin Pedersen not Saginaw Gear that initiated the front sights of varying heights. IP precut front sights down from the standard height to one of seven dimensions and stamped a corresponding number on the left side of the sight. When the carbines were targeted they were done so without a front sight. Instead they used a dummy fixture which gave them the height required for the front sight blade. After targeting the appropriate pre-sized front sight was installed. The IP pre-sized front sights ranged in size from 0 - 8, with 0 being the tallest and 8 being the shortest. The #1 sights were the standard height of .795" from bore centerline. When Saginaw Gear took over the IP facility they abandoned the practice in favor of the standard method of firing the completed carbine, then filing the front sight to the appropriate size. Saginaw Gear did use some of the left over pre-sized front sights but they were targeted in the standard fashion.

From his reply #35 in this link:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=20053&page=4

*Note:
Saginaw Gear did use some of the left over pre-sized front sights but they were targeted in the standard fashion.

FWIW