Replacing a colt 1860 Army front sight

[Roscoe Coles]

A while back I bought an interesting 2nd gen Colt 1860 at a very good price.  Its a fluted cylinder either in the white or in Stainless (it has never been blued or case hardened).  I can't find any recored of fluted stainless 1860s but I known some of the 2nd gen guns were sold in the white for engraving.  I am waiting for a letter from Colt to find out what it actually is. 

Anyway...Thats all to the aside.  The reason I got it for less than $200 was that someone had screwed up the front site trying to make it taller.  I have removed the really ugly remains of the site and taken out the markings left by the idiot that installed it (made much easier by the fact that the gun is in the white) and its time to install a new one.  The original sight was staked in (the marks are clearly visible).

I have a front sight (in nickel silver /German silver) and I am planning on making a staking punch to stake both sides of the sight at the same time.

Has anyone done this job before and have another / better way?

To be clear, I am trying to get this back to stock in preparation to having this gun engraved.  In all likelihood, it will never be shot, so I am not interested in altering its point of impact.  So, I am not going to dovetail it or stick in an old dime etc. 

Thanks

[Lefty Dude]

Interesting project, indeed.

[St. George]

The originals - and the 2d Generation Colts - had their front sights pressed-in.

VTI should have the correct replacement.

Scouts Out!

[Advertising]

[Blair]

R C,

I have done this before.
I modify a cold chisel to help re-stake the new front sight into place. Of course a little hard solder didn't hurt either.
It can be kind of tricky, just plan for your needs in advance.
You should do just fine.
My best,
Blair

[Roscoe Coles]

The originals - and the 2d Generation Colts - had their front sights pressed-in.

VTI should have the correct replacement.

Scouts Out!

 The Colts are different than the Italian guns.  I ordered one each of all the 1860 sights available from VTI and they are all different than the Colt front sight.  Wrong shape, wrong material, too wide  or long etc.  VTI does not list parts for the Colts. 

[Blair]

R C,

You may also find most are too short to allow for proper point of aim, even at CAS distances.
This is why I make or construct my own for the stacked in type of front sight.
Planning for the proper material is most important
My best,
 Blair

[Roscoe Coles]

R C,

You may also find most are too short to allow for proper point of aim, even at CAS distances.
This is why I make or construct my own for the stacked in type of front sight.
Planning for the proper material is most important
My best,
 Blair

I have a well tuned pair of Italian 1860s that shoot point of aim.  I am returning this gun to stock after some idiot (or at least very ham handed individual) tried to "improve" the front sight.  Once I figure out what this gun actually is, it is a serious candidate for full engraving (based on an original pattern of course) and some ivory grips.  A real Sunday go to meeting gun.