Where to get "blade-type" front sights?

[Harry O]

I have a sporterized Krag with an old-style, blade-type front sight. That is the kind that sits in a thin slot and is pinned at the bottom. It is NOT the kind that have a 3/8" dovetail at the bottom. The problem with the one I have is that I cannot see it very well anymore. The height is OK, but I need an easy to see bead on it. Something in 3/32" gold or ivory.

I have looked at Midway, Buffalo Arms, and Brownell's for blade type sights. I have not found them. Does anyone have a source (I need a pretty specific height and bead size/type). It has been suggested that I check eBay, but they never have the details. It would be a crap-shoot, there.

Picture of Krag, here:
http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php/photo/471321/ppuser/34373

[fourarmed]

Harry, I can't see the sight as I am not registered on the site, but I can think of several viable options:

a. Modify the present sight by soldering or brazing on a piece of brass rod.
b. File out a new one that fits the old base.
c. File a standard dovetail in the old base, and install a commercial sight from Williams or Lyman.

[Char-Gar]

Sight bases that used the pin in blades were very common in the Days of Yore. I know of no current source for these blades. They do show up on Ebay from time to time and that is your best place to run one down.

They are not that hard to make and all it requires is a file or two and some metal. These have been made from all sorts of gizmos including coins. Once you have a flat faced blade, the face can be given a coat of nail polish for a good visable sight.

[Texasflyboy]

Lyman has exactly what you are looking for.

Lyman made a series of drop in blades for Krags, Springfields that have a standard blade with a gold or ivory bead.

I've seen them from time to time at gunshows in parts boxes.

This eBay auction shows an example:

Lyman Ebay Front Blade (http://cgi.ebay.com/LYMAN-26-UG-WHITE-BEAD-SIGHT-INSERT-REMINGTON-301-30A_W0QQitemZ270190467356QQihZ017QQcategoryZ71141Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

http://i20.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/c6/ag/3a18_1_b.JPG

Lyman made a whole series of these blades for 03's, Krags, and others.

I put one on my Krag last month. Fit like it was made for it.

[Harry O]

These have been made from all sorts of gizmos including coins.

I can make one if I have to, but if I can buy a professionally made one, I would prefer that. I once saw a Colt SAA with a very old, silver half-of-a-dime for a front sight. It looked pretty neat, but it would not work here.

[Char-Gar]

Harry... Ashley/XS sights makes a pin in blade for the Winchester 95 and they will also do custom work. I would check with them and they might be able to fix you up.. " For a price Senor...always for a price"... The Searchers

[NVcurmudgeon]

I have a sporterized Krag with an old-style, blade-type front sight. That is the kind that sits in a thin slot and is pinned at the bottom. It is NOT the kind that have a 3/8" dovetail at the bottom. The problem with the one I have is that I cannot see it very well anymore. The height is OK, but I need an easy to see bead on it. Something in 3/32" gold or ivory.

I have looked at Midway, Buffalo Arms, and Brownell's for blade type sights. I have not found them. Does anyone have a source (I need a pretty specific height and bead size/type). It has been suggested that I check eBay, but they never have the details. It would be a crap-shoot, there.

Picture of Krag, here:
http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php/photo/471321/ppuser/34373

HarryO, I have seen sights like you are seeking at the Big Reno Gun Show. Among several sight specialists there are one or two dealers with blade type front sights. The planets have lined up to allow a BRGS for this coming weekend. I'll see if I can get an address or Email for what you need and post it here.

[The Double D]

Gun Parts Company better know as Numrich.

Hard to find on their website, but easy in their catalog.

[Ohio Rusty]

Lemme suggest 'Track of the Wolf'. There are alot of muzzleloading companies that sell silver blade type sights with a metal dovetail base. I prefer silver myself as the silver tip of the blade shows up against any background and in low light. A friend of mine who was having seeing issues used an old 18th century trick and cut a slot in the top of his sight and inserted a polished piece of white bone. It acted like fiber optic glowing white when light hit it. It helped him to hunt a few more years. lastly, If the blade is just silver with a pin sticking out of it and the pin goes thru a hole in teh dovetail, you can easily make one yourself using a pounded silver coin and a jewlers saw and a couple of needle files.
Ohio Rusty

[andremajic]

Call brownells, and talk to one of their gunsmiths. It's a free 800 number, but I can't recall it at this time. I have one of their catalogs, and it's printed on the front page.

If they can't hook you up with a direct replacement sight for your rifle, there is another sight system for modifying your existing sights.

Basically, it's a type of neon glue/filler that comes in different colors. You need to cut out a small section out of the front of the sight, build a "dam" of materiel on each side of the sight, fill it in, let it dry, and file off the excess.

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sorry about the ansi art, perhaps you can make sense out of it.

[mag44uk]

What about dixie gun works?

[Wayne Smith]

Harry

I got mine for my Winnie 95 - I needed a higher sight after putting on a Lyman copy rear - from a guy who makes receiver sights for Marlins. I sent him my sight, told him my length and how high I was shooting with the receiver bottomed out. He was very reasonable, in fact I sent him more than he requested. I'm at work or I'd have his name. I think I got it off a thread here about Marlin sights, though. Maybe a while ago (before Christmas) on the Leverguns section?

[Jeffreytooker]

I can not see my front blade on some of my rifles too well. I get International Orange paint in the little bottle from the craft/model store. I paint the back of the blade. It shows up well.

Jeffrey Tooker
Paynes Ck Ca.

[Frank46]

try Marble's, they do offer flat type blade insert type sights. My 1895 winnie has what appears to be a silver dime cut down and pinned in place. Got lucky some time back and saw an origional 1895 in 30-06 and with the bbl mounted rear sight
it had an origional lyman insert or blade front sight with what appeared to be an ivory bead. Approx height of the sight was about 1/2". Frank

[Wayne Smith]

Harry, it was Mr. Skinner that made mine. I am very pleased. He didn't communicate well at all, but his work is excellent and his prices better.