Correct site adjustment tool for 1917 Artillery?
 

I've seen a couple of different site adjustment tools for sale recently and I'm not sure what is the correct type for a 1917 DWM Arty. I've seen them in brass and in blued steel. Does it matter?

Neither are correct - they are reproductions. Normally a sight adjustment tool for a LP-08 would have a wooden handle for better gripping during cold temperatures while wearing gloves. The type I am showing hereunder would sometimes be found in an armourers kit, which also contained other tools for machine-guns, carbines and pistols.

A genuine sight adjustment tool is a difficult item to find and the value is about $300-$350. When examining a sight adjustment tool, play close attention to the two pins which must be perfect in shape.

Albert

Thanks Albert. I thought the knurled handles didn't look very turn-of-the-century. :)

I guess it's all repro stuff for me then. At least I won't have to spend as much... :D

Shown below is another correct type of sight adjustment tool which is included with a cased Stoeger LP-08.

When examining any tool or accessory, it needs to be practical in its shape/design and function with various important factors in mind - that was the way of the Germans in regards to manufacturing during both wars.

Good luck,
Albert

Thanks again, Albert. What you say about Germans is too true. And it's a good thing. That's the mentality that gave us the Luger, after all... :D

I'm going to give up hope on finding a real adjustment tool for now. Even if the cost wasn't a factor the probability of a boost is too high. I hate giving my money to thieves... :)

Steve,
depending upon the need for adjusting the sights, you should be a bit careful with the tool that you use. Some of these sights have been in place for years and can be difficult to get out. Some of these tools are made of brass which is a soft metal and the prongs break quite easily. Simpson used to sell a stainless steel one that would hold up better. But he doesn't sell it anymore. Those little prongs can break off and you will have lost your investment. People will tell you to heat up the sight to expand the metal and the screws will come out easily. But you may have destroyed a pricey tool before looking for an alternative. Besides, I don't feel comfortable using heat on a very expensive artillery Luger. But it MAY work.

What I did was take an old screw driver and I notched a small groove in the end. Then I took my Dremel rotary tool and formed the pins around that notch to fit the holes in the artillery sight. As Albert said in his post, the prongs have to be pretty near perfect in shape. Don't make the pins too long though or they will also break. I got lotsa old screw drivers to play with, but I don't have lotsa $100 bills for new 'original' sight adjusting tools laying around. This works for me.

Just a suggestion.
Big Norm ;)

Thanks Norm. :)

I wasn't really looking for a way to adjust the sights as much as I'm looking to round out the collection. Still, I think I'll stick to your low budget method should the need arise... :D

These are repros being sold on eBay and elsewhere :

http://cgi.ebay.com/GERMAN-LUGER-P-0...QQcmdZViewItem

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/arty_tool_1.jpg

Pete, that's one of the ones I was looking at. He never says if it is or isn't but he does associate it with the real deal. With a $100 price tag, the uneducated (me) might suspect it's real.

Thanks guys. I'm a tad smarter now for your time and efforts... :)

I saw that one too, but at 100 I'll have to pass. Is that the going price for a repro or can they be found cheaper and where?

I bought one repro brass one, simular to the one above, it took me about four seconds to brake off one of the pins.. :eek:

I could make my own out of SS with titanium pins for ALLOT less than $100...

Steve, you guys that have metal or wood working talent just make me jealous :cool:

LOL Ed! It's only the result of a decreased amount of money. Necessity being the mother of invention and all.