Bought Navy ? about front sight

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by kro

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.