Bought Navy ? about front sight
 

I bought the 1906 Navy that I posted in an earlier thread. I have a question about the front sight that I would like the experts to give an opinion. It looks different than other Navy front sights I seen in pictures on this forum. The ramp is different. There are witness marks that line up on the right side of the base. Do you think the gun came with this sight or was it altered or replaced some time in its life. I hope the pics are clear enough to make a judgment. Like always thanks for all the help this forum has give me.

It has been altered or replaced. Sorry.

Definitely either modified or most likely replaced. But don't sweat it as they are easily replaced and to the best of my knowledge unnumbered.
Are you shooting this one? If so , I am curious as to how it prints on paper. My Navy shooter printed WAY high, and I had to use a hideously tall Mauser K98 sight blade insert to get me down toward where it should be at 25 yards. As it was I suspect that several hundred yards would have passed before the bullet dropped down onto target.
dju

Thanks for the help. I don't plan on shooting it So I won't know how it will group. How do you think this will effect value? I'm in it for less than $1,800 so I hope I did ok. All numbers match except for the right grip. I looked online and the front sight on there now looks like what is called an early sight. Any idea where I could find the correct sight and how hard is it to install?

Hi Ken, There is good news and bad news! The bad news is that Navy front sight blades are different from those found on P08 Lugers, and are almost impossible to find. Unlike the P08 blades, they are shorter, 5mm as opposed to 5.5mm, and only partially serrated (see photos). The good news is that very few folks know the difference, so you might as well replace yours with a P08 blade, which will look less obvious.
Regards, Norm

How hard are they to replace?

Norme, The front sight blade shown in your photo are Mauser (top) and DWM (lower -- not serated all the way up). Kro's blade is the M1900 or '06 for the 7.65mm. Tom

Tom?
 

Tom would you have the correct sight for my gun?

If a standard profile P.08 sight blade would be acceptable, why not take one more step toward the goal line and modify the regular to be more Navy-like in appearance. If we use the two comparison photos as a guide...

Notice that the sight block on the Navy appears taller than the one of the P.08. This makes sense, in that the Navy was developed earlier than the P.08, and it was actually more contemporary with old model guns-- the 1900s, Swiss contract, early 1906s, etc., all of which had taller sight blocks, but without ramps, and used the early/Swiss style, notched sight blade.

Anyway, there is apparently 0.5 mm of extra material on a P.08 blade. Look at the two pics and see if you don't think one could be taken down with a file to eliminate the extra height, round the top corner, and eliminate a portion of the serrations. Other than the flat above the remaining serrations running at root level rather than tip level of the serrations--because we're filing them off, not filling them in (This is also do-able, but choosing to draw the line here.).

After a tiny rust bluing project, you're closer yet. It may be that the angle of the serrated Navy ramp varies from the P.08's; I can't tell for sure from those pics, but that's another one of those "lines".

The sight blades all tap in, dovetail in the slot, from right to left, I believe. It's easy, just make sure things clear and fit up as you get close. Pad your vise jaws and use non-marring tools. It isn't too hard at all.

D.P.

Thanks for the help. If I can't find one then that's what I'll till I eventually find the right one. How much do you think the current sight will effect value? I'm in the gun for less than $1,800 so I hope I didn't do too bad.

For the money you did terrifically well! The front sight is brazenly inauthentic, and will always be a sore spot when evaluating this gun. The advice to get any ol' front sight only gets you half the way there, as you will always feel regretful about the explanation.

You paid a good enough price that going to the trouble of finding a real sight will be cost effective and perhaps even an ejoyable endeavor. It will absolutely enhance this Luger's value, as well as your satisfaction.

--Dwight

And don't forget tht you have some equity in that front sight blade. You may be able to do some horsetrading.
dju

Thanks for the advice. I'll sleep better tonight know I did ok on the purchase.

Oh yah, you did fine.
dju

Kro, I find that I do have a couple of used orig DWM front sight blades. PM sent today. Tom

Hi Tom, Do you have the original, pre 1914, 5mm DMW sight blades? If so, I'd like one too. I'm not interested in a later 5.5mm blade.
Regards, Norm

Awesome find and you did swell on the price .

Trigger and magazine yes, grips usually, thumb safety no.
Regards, Norm

The original P.08 sight blade was 5.4mm high. After 1913 that was still the standard, but 5.1mm and 5.7mm blades were added so that the pistols could more accurately be zeroed to 50m when they were test fired.

You probably want the tallest you can find if you're going to shoot a Navy. They are sighted in at 100m

You lost some decimal points there, Mike... :)