Need Taller Front Sights

[Ronald Vecchioni]

I'm sure this has been discussed a thousand times before, but what is the smart and legal way to install a taller front sight on the following two guns?

Both are absolute tack drivers off the bench but both are shooting approximately 16 inches high at 50 yards with light powder loads.

Gun 1) 1863 Bridesburg Contract Musket (Springfield)
Gun 2) Pietta Smith Carbine

[Muley Gil]

From what I've read here on the BB, most use a dovetailed front sight. Be aware, once you get it zeroed, you are required to solder it in place.

[mike davenport]

the Smith- the front sight is dovetailed- you can purchase a ready made replacement from several sutlers- i use S & S for these.
For the Springfield- if its an original its a bit more complex
replacing the whole sight- the original is braised to the barrel- you have to use a mapp gas or acylene torch to remove- you could warp the barrel in you are not careful or a good metal smith. Then you would silver solider a n ew replacement on the barrel- or
option 2 take the barrel to a machinist who can mill the original off, and dovetail a new one in place or my preferred method
Option 3- file off the blade- then use a fine hack saw to cut a slot in the base, then place a new blade in the slot- drill thru the base and blade and pin in place. You could solider in place but be ware - soldier is brittle and can come off with vibrations.

There are several gunsmiths around who can do this for you if you are uncomfortable with the work
mike
DSR

[Maillemaker]

Mike pretty much explained it.

With the Pietta Smith (and originals, for that matter), the existing blade is easily removed by heating it with a torch and carefully tapping it out.

Then fashion a new one from some brass stock. You can find small quantities of brass stock on Amazon or from onlinemetals.com. German (Nickel) Silver also, if you prefer. Pre-solder it, tap it into place, and heat until the solder flows. Pinning is even better but I have not had any problem with soldering.

Like Mike explained, I have also had success filing off existing blades down to the "stump", and using a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel to make a new slot, and then soldering in a new blade, which can then be filed as needed, even left/right if the stock is thick enough to accommodate it and your windage is not terribly far off.

When driving a new blade into a notch, on either the Pietta or one you do yourself, it helps to file a slight chamfer on the bottom of the blade to ease its entry into the slot. Don't try to force too thick a blade into a slot as you can split the site base like a log splitter into wood.

Steve

[Harry Gaul]

If you have any old brass keys laying around the house from old house locks, that will work as well. Cut out the blank from the old house key. Any letters or names will probably disappear as part of the sighting in process. Newer keys to house locks may not be brass.

Harry in Pa.
forney's
03626v

[Keith Williams]

Hey Ron,


Section 19: Small Arms: 19.9 Modifications (Hand and Shoulder Arms) and 19.9.1 Sights is the guide.


I ordered my Pietta brass replacement blade, which was tapered. There are square blades offered also. S & S, and Lodgewood have blades (as well as others). Heed what Steve said, measure and thin before inserting. Scuff both sides of brass and base tabs for soldering purposes (silver solder).


It cost me $57 to have a dovetail cut in on my reproduction Colt rifled musket by a gunsmith. Be aware, many gunsmiths will not work on black powder weapons as I found out. I called at least 25 places before someone agreed to mill the slot. I bought the sight unit from S & S...be aware again, suppliers contract various makers which in turn, produce different sizes.


If you are inclined, order the sight, mic the size and do it yourself. Duelist1954 has a video for a revolver...same process. However, good (angled) files are expensive...at least you have options.


Mikes option 3, with Steve's suggestion for the Springfield is good stuff.


Take care, and good luck.


Keith A. Williams

15^th. Reg VA Vol Cav

"The regiment was assembled out of existing units and had no regional identity. It got no sendoff, no parades, no speeches." - The 15^th. Virginia Cavalry by John Fortier