sight repair ?

Stu · 04-03-2005, 02:59 PM

Hi all. I'm trying to work out if part of an artillery rear sight is repairable.

This is from a refinished shooter I just received and need to come to a conclusion quickly to decide if I should return it. Against my better judgement I rather like the gun and would like to keep it BUT it's got to function correctly.

The problem is with the rear sight slider, or elevator. The two small lips on the underside of each end have been broken off, allowing the ladder to float up off the base.

I'm open to any repair suggestions, my first thought was someone with the right skills and equipment might be able to lay a spot of weld to grind back into shape. The metal is fairly thin at this point so I'm not sure if that would be practical though.

As this is a shooter price also becomes a consideration; I suspect a genuine spare will be both expensive and difficult to find !

Any imaginative solutions out there ?

Thanks in advance, Stu

Ron Smith · 04-03-2005, 06:17 PM

Stu,

After doing a bit of looking. If you could find a very talented welder. You could have a bead tacked on each side, square it up to to the proper dimensions and cut the slots with a jewelers file. It would take some care and skill, but I think it could be done.

Ron

Stu · 04-03-2005, 09:24 PM

Hi Ron. I was hoping someone else might think it possible. I just need to find the right place to look for the skillset. I don't think I'd find them in the automotive or general industrial field. Perhaps Thor knows of someone and will chime in.

I see Sarco has a "Rear Sight Slide, Artillery Model, Stripped" listed. Would this be the adjustable cross piece I need or what I would call the sight 'ladder' it slides on ? Curse the terminology !

Even if it is I'd like to save the original correctly numbered one.

Thanks for providing a little hope !

Stu

Ron Smith · 04-03-2005, 10:20 PM

Stu, The piece we are talking about is the slide. And yes, keep the original. If you can find a welder.

Ron

Ron Wood · 04-03-2005, 10:48 PM

You need to find a pretty expert TIG welder to attempt the level of control required to weld up such a small piece. It can be done, but you must know what you are doing. Even with the proper care, you will end up with a "blob" that must be carefully filed/machined back to original specs. Actually it might be a fun experience, and give you a sense of bringing back something that was nearly lost.

Obviously you are "hooked" on this gun, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Sometimes things just feel right and logic goes out the window (don't spend too much though...that can cancel out the "warm fuzzies").

Stu · 04-04-2005, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the opinions guys. If the Sarco part is the right one I think I'll go ahead. At least I can make it functional.

Ron's right about not sinking to much into it, we'll see how much self control I can exercise, (now some decent grips wouldn't be extravagant, I mean they're almost a necessity aren't they

Then I just need to search out the right welding skills. Once the weld is layed, reshaping should be possible and the correct part will be reunited.

Dwight Gruber · 04-04-2005, 10:04 PM

Stu,

Try this--take the piece to a custom jeweler and see if they can fashion the proper little "lips" on the underside and silver-solder them to the sight slider. Someone experienced with delicate work might be wht is needed here.

--Dwight

Hub · 04-05-2005, 09:16 PM

If you can not find a welder send it to me , while I will not attempt anything that small the gentleman that taught me, tig welds under a microscope and does some extreemly fine work. I have seen the sharp edges of 2 razor blades welded together. No idea what it would cost.
Neil

Stu · 04-10-2005, 06:43 PM

Hi Neil. Your offer of help is much appreciated.

I'm going to try to get a functional replacement and then I'll contact you to work out if a repair is possible with your welding mentor.

Stu

Stu · 04-11-2005, 06:34 PM

Quick update for anyone interested. The replacement slider arrived and is in good condition, but is Erfurt proofed ! I'm going to test with this one and have ordered another just to see what arrives.

One the sight is functional I'll be trying to get the original repaired using the second replacement as a pattern for the repairer, (some delicate work in there).

Can anyone help me with the replacement process ? I assume I need to drift the ladder pin out, slide off the old slider & reverse the process. Doesthis pin come out either way ?

Thanks, Stu

04-03-2005, 02:59 PM	#1
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	sight repair ? Hi all. I'm trying to work out if part of an artillery rear sight is repairable. This is from a refinished shooter I just received and need to come to a conclusion quickly to decide if I should return it. Against my better judgement I rather like the gun and would like to keep it BUT it's got to function correctly. The problem is with the rear sight slider, or elevator. The two small lips on the underside of each end have been broken off, allowing the ladder to float up off the base. I'm open to any repair suggestions, my first thought was someone with the right skills and equipment might be able to lay a spot of weld to grind back into shape. The metal is fairly thin at this point so I'm not sure if that would be practical though. As this is a shooter price also becomes a consideration; I suspect a genuine spare will be both expensive and difficult to find ! Any imaginative solutions out there ? Thanks in advance, Stu

04-03-2005, 06:17 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Stu, After doing a bit of looking. If you could find a very talented welder. You could have a bead tacked on each side, square it up to to the proper dimensions and cut the slots with a jewelers file. It would take some care and skill, but I think it could be done. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-03-2005, 10:20 PM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Stu, The piece we are talking about is the slide. And yes, keep the original. If you can find a welder. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-03-2005, 10:48 PM	#5
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,037 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,248 Times in 1,721 Posts	You need to find a pretty expert TIG welder to attempt the level of control required to weld up such a small piece. It can be done, but you must know what you are doing. Even with the proper care, you will end up with a "blob" that must be carefully filed/machined back to original specs. Actually it might be a fun experience, and give you a sense of bringing back something that was nearly lost. Obviously you are "hooked" on this gun, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Sometimes things just feel right and logic goes out the window (don't spend too much though...that can cancel out the "warm fuzzies"). __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-03-2005, 09:24 PM	#3
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Hi Ron. I was hoping someone else might think it possible. I just need to find the right place to look for the skillset. I don't think I'd find them in the automotive or general industrial field. Perhaps Thor knows of someone and will chime in. I see Sarco has a "Rear Sight Slide, Artillery Model, Stripped" listed. Would this be the adjustable cross piece I need or what I would call the sight 'ladder' it slides on ? Curse the terminology ! Even if it is I'd like to save the original correctly numbered one. Thanks for providing a little hope ! Stu

04-04-2005, 09:17 PM	#6
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Thanks for the opinions guys. If the Sarco part is the right one I think I'll go ahead. At least I can make it functional. Ron's right about not sinking to much into it, we'll see how much self control I can exercise, (now some decent grips wouldn't be extravagant, I mean they're almost a necessity aren't they Then I just need to search out the right welding skills. Once the weld is layed, reshaping should be possible and the correct part will be reunited.

04-04-2005, 10:04 PM	#7
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Stu, Try this--take the piece to a custom jeweler and see if they can fashion the proper little "lips" on the underside and silver-solder them to the sight slider. Someone experienced with delicate work might be wht is needed here. --Dwight

04-05-2005, 09:16 PM	#8
Hub User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Decatur, IN Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	If you can not find a welder send it to me , while I will not attempt anything that small the gentleman that taught me, tig welds under a microscope and does some extreemly fine work. I have seen the sharp edges of 2 razor blades welded together. No idea what it would cost. Neil

04-10-2005, 06:43 PM	#9
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Hi Neil. Your offer of help is much appreciated. I'm going to try to get a functional replacement and then I'll contact you to work out if a repair is possible with your welding mentor. Stu

04-11-2005, 06:34 PM	#10
Stu User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 452 Thanks: 4 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Quick update for anyone interested. The replacement slider arrived and is in good condition, but is Erfurt proofed ! I'm going to test with this one and have ordered another just to see what arrives. One the sight is functional I'll be trying to get the original repaired using the second replacement as a pattern for the repairer, (some delicate work in there). Can anyone help me with the replacement process ? I assume I need to drift the ladder pin out, slide off the old slider & reverse the process. Doesthis pin come out either way ? Thanks, Stu