Correct site adjustment tool for 1917 Artillery?

thegundude · 01-08-2007, 04:22 PM

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?

Imperial Arms · 01-08-2007, 09:44 PM

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

thegundude · 01-08-2007, 11:00 PM

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...

Imperial Arms · 01-08-2007, 11:55 PM

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

thegundude · 01-09-2007, 08:16 AM

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...

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...

Big Norm · 01-09-2007, 01:55 PM

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

thegundude · 01-09-2007, 11:16 PM

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...

Pete Ebbink · 01-11-2007, 03:38 PM

These are repros being sold on eBay and elsewhere :

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

thegundude · 01-11-2007, 08:37 PM

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...

stefanosg · 01-12-2007, 05:38 AM

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?

Steinar · 01-12-2007, 06:21 AM

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

thegundude · 01-12-2007, 08:07 PM

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

Edward Tinker · 01-12-2007, 10:08 PM

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

thegundude · 01-12-2007, 10:21 PM

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

01-08-2007, 04:22 PM	#1
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	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? __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

01-08-2007, 09:44 PM	#2
Imperial Arms Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Malta, EU Posts: 579 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	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 Attached Images

01-08-2007, 11:00 PM	#3
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	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... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

01-08-2007, 11:55 PM	#4
Imperial Arms Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Malta, EU Posts: 579 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	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 Attached Thumbnails

01-09-2007, 08:16 AM	#5
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	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... 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... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

01-09-2007, 01:55 PM	#6
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	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

01-09-2007, 11:16 PM	#7
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	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... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

01-11-2007, 03:38 PM	#8
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	These are repros being sold on eBay and elsewhere : http://cgi.ebay.com/GERMAN-LUGER-P-0...QQcmdZViewItem

01-11-2007, 08:37 PM	#9
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	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... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

01-12-2007, 05:38 AM	#10
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	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? __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

01-12-2007, 06:21 AM	#11
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	I bought one repro brass one, simular to the one above, it took me about four seconds to brake off one of the pins..

01-12-2007, 08:07 PM	#12
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	I could make my own out of SS with titanium pins for ALLOT less than $100... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

01-12-2007, 10:08 PM	#13
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	Steve, you guys that have metal or wood working talent just make me jealous

01-12-2007, 10:21 PM	#14
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	LOL Ed! It's only the result of a decreased amount of money. Necessity being the mother of invention and all. __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve