Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Gunsmith question on Merrill front sight removal and replacement

  1. #1
    ewmail15 is offline
    Team:
    Visitor (non-N-SSA Member)
    Member
    NA
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    179
    Region:
    Western - Illinois and Wisconsin

    Gunsmith question on Merrill front sight removal and replacement

    Could any gunsmith here help me figure out how to remove the brazed front sight on my 1863 Merrill carbine? Barrel was badly rusted and a former owner must have tanked it, resulting in the sight becoming little more than a nub. Tried a mapptorch last night but after a few minutes and no luck I figured better to ask an expert.

    Next question would be if anyone has or has made a replacement front sight, and what is the original sight metal? On my Sharps carbine, I had to pick up some German silver and cut/shape/drill hole/create peg to fit into the brazed-in-place sight support frame. Thanks, Eric.

  2. #2
    John Holland is offline Moderator
    Team:
    44th NY Volunteer Infantry
    Member
    00973V
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    2,871
    Region:
    Northeast- New York
    My reference is from a 1st Model Merrill Carbine: The front sight is an iron blade with an iron base. It is a single unit, that is, it is one piece. It is also dovetailed, brazed in place like a Springfield musket, with the base being contoured to match the barrel. I have never seen a reproduction replacement. With any rusting on top of brazing, I would imagine that the sight will be very difficult to remove without damaging the surrounding barrel.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    atco nj
    Posts
    210
    Region:
    Middle Atlantic - New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey
    maybe a good gun smith in your area can use a milling machine to remove the base down and cut in a new dove tail for you. you could then make a new sight to get you finished
    comp#11604 DEL BLUES

  4. #4
    Charlie Hahn is offline
    Team:
    13th Confederate Infantry
    Member
    0829V
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Berlin, MD
    Posts
    642
    Region:
    Potomac - Virginia, Maryland and Delaware
    Don't claim to be a gunsmith, but would be willing to take a look at the National.

    Charlie Hahn
    410-627-4726

  5. #5
    ewmail15 is offline
    Team:
    Visitor (non-N-SSA Member)
    Member
    NA
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    179
    Region:
    Western - Illinois and Wisconsin
    Charlie, where is the national held? Pardon the lack of knowledge. I lucked into a $2 garage sale find 1859 Sharps carbine in parts and have now two CW era carbines to hang on my wall, fully functional, pending gunsmith green lights. I'd love to fire some light powder rounds some day.

  6. #6
    Charlie Hahn is offline
    Team:
    13th Confederate Infantry
    Member
    0829V
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Berlin, MD
    Posts
    642
    Region:
    Potomac - Virginia, Maryland and Delaware
    Winchester VA. Here is my cell number, 410-627-4726. I am located near Ocean City MD.

  7. #7
    ewmail15 is offline
    Team:
    Visitor (non-N-SSA Member)
    Member
    NA
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    179
    Region:
    Western - Illinois and Wisconsin

    No job, no travel

    Charlie, without work I can't swing a trip like this. Had to sell my 1915 WWI FW Holler Solingen sword to buy the Merrill. Would pics suffice on how to go about fixing or replacing the front sight?

    Eric

  8. #8
    bobanderson is offline
    Team:
    1st Michigan Infantry
    Member
    12291
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Howell, MI
    Posts
    831
    Region:
    Northwest Territory - Michigan, Ohio and Indiana
    Check your private messages.
    Bob Anderson
    Ordnance Sergeant
    Company C, 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry
    Small Arms Committee

    "I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand on.
    I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."
    - John Wayne in "The Shootist", 1976

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 33
    Last Post: 04-20-2018, 10:12 AM
  2. Front sight question
    By Moses Milner in forum Small Arms
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 10-06-2015, 12:15 PM
  3. Front sight question original model 1842
    By Fauch125 in forum Shooting Techs, Tips, & Tricks
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 11-30-2013, 08:09 PM
  4. Sight drilling and improved front sight question.
    By gunhawk in forum Shooting Techs, Tips, & Tricks
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 12-25-2011, 09:35 PM
  5. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-14-2009, 10:58 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •