Author Topic: One Pound Front Sights  (Read 6902 times)

Offline Coal Creek Griff

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One Pound Front Sights
« on: August 12, 2016, 03:55:12 PM »
Actually, they're not as heavy as you'd think  ;).

I have needed to replace a couple of front sight blades recently and I was casting about for an appropriate material to work with.  I ended up using £1 coins from the UK.  The metal has a slight yellow/gold/brass appearance throughout.  The coins were easy to work with and somehow look right to me.  They also offer good visibility, especially against dark-colored targets.

Now, I’m not the craftsman that many here are, but the remaining marks and unfinished appearance seem to fit with the “old” guns.  I also kept the original rim of the coin on the Henry sight, so it has a neat engraving pattern.  That meant removing the sight and filing it from the base as I sighted it in, but it was worth the effort.

These may not be as “authentic”  as a Cinco Pesos or something, but they have worked well for me.

CC Griff
Manager, WT Ranch--Coal Creek Division

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Offline Blair

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2016, 04:57:06 PM »
CCG,

German Silver is a good substitute. In fact it was the most common metal used for front sights.
It has no "real" silver in it. It is nickel and tin for the most parts.
Soft, easy to work with, and comes in a wide variety of thicknesses.
Just a suggestion on my part.
My best,
 Blair
A Time for Prayer.
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God and the soldier we adore.
But in times of peace and all things right,
God is forgotten and the soldier slighted"
by Rudyard Kipling.
Blair Taylor
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Offline Coal Creek Griff

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2016, 05:09:15 PM »
Well, I considered German silver, but I couldn't put my hands on any when I did the sight for the Richards-Mason revolver in the photo.  The one pound coin worked so well that I used the remainder of the same coin for the Henry sight.

CC Griff
Manager, WT Ranch--Coal Creek Division

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #3 on: Today at 12:24:05 PM »

Offline Coffinmaker

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2016, 07:21:15 PM »
CC Griff,

Uber KOOL!!  I like em.  Look really good.

Coffinmaker

Offline Coal Creek Griff

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2016, 08:21:50 PM »
Thanks, Coffinmaker!  That's high praise; you're one of the master craftsmen that I mentioned in my initial post.

CC Griff
Manager, WT Ranch--Coal Creek Division

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Offline Major 2

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2016, 07:03:35 AM »
Nice nice ....silver coins were used as replacements , I've seen more than few old dimes used
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Coffinmaker

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2016, 03:32:56 PM »
Ah Harrumph >>>>>>>

I neglected in my praise, to mention, out on the end of the barrel, a "One Pound" front sight will tend to make it rifle just a tad
MIZZLE HEAVY   ::) ;D

Coffinmaker

Offline Trader Dan

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2016, 05:54:30 PM »
The Queen would not be happy knowing you used a one pound coin for a gun sight. ??? :o


God save the Queen!

Offline Coal Creek Griff

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #8 on: September 08, 2016, 06:37:20 PM »
Should she wish me to remove the sights, I'm available for a phone call at any time  ;).
Manager, WT Ranch--Coal Creek Division

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Offline Roscoe Coles

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2017, 09:38:15 PM »
I made a replacement barrel for an 1865 Spencer carbine a number of years ago (long before you could get a reproduction Spencer).  I made an integral sight block (by turning a ring the size of the base I wanted then cutting off everything but the base once the barrel was installed).  for the sight blade I used an original 1860 dime in a slot in the base, held in by a small pin.  I figured that using a period dime made up for the slightly non standard front sight.  I made sure to use the part with date on it.  The dime was far from in good condition when I got it, less than $5 at an antique store.

Offline Virginia Gentleman

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2017, 01:41:16 AM »
Very nice indeed!

Offline greyhawk

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2017, 05:24:31 AM »
Well, I considered German silver, but I couldn't put my hands on any when I did the sight for the Richards-Mason revolver in the photo.  The one pound coin worked so well that I used the remainder of the same coin for the Henry sight.

CC Griff

old cutlery!! most anything that was silver plated is solid german silver - old spoons n forks - I used a piece out of an old table fork just recently to replace the blade in an original winchester 73 front sight. 

Offline Forty Rod

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2017, 09:54:47 AM »
The Queen would not be happy knowing you used a one pound coin for a gun sight. ??? :o


God save the Queen!

Maybe that's why we got rid of queens and kings a couple of hundred years back.  Too much trouble to keep them happy.
People like me are the reason people like you have the right to bitch about people like me.

Offline Professor Marvel

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Re: One Pound Front Sights
« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2017, 09:49:20 PM »
Maybe that's why we got rid of queens and kings a couple of hundred years back.  Too much trouble to keep them happy.

Hey Forty Rod - Good you see you back!
are you getting as much smoke in the air as albuquerque?
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