Lee Enfield #4 Mk 1 "Long Branch" 1944 (sporterized) Front sight questions

[SteveK]

I am pleased to own the above referenced, fine shooting, weapon. It has a Parker - Hale front sight that should have a slide-on hood covering the blade which is marked 14 on one side and .080 on the other.

The questions are: Deos anyone know the Model of this sight by looking at it? Either way, where can I get the hood for the sight. I would benefit greatly by restoring a hood to the gun as shooting in bright sunlight is iffy when you can't see the blade.

Thanks!

Steve

[leebuilder]

I have seen many PH front sights for no4, looks like you have the most common style, I have been looking for the proper hood for years. I made my own. Other PH hoods for thier hunting rifles wont fit, well I have not seen one yet.

[Char-Gar]

I quick spritz of Birchwood Casey Sight Black on that front sight would make it quite visible without the cost and hassle of trying to hunt up a hood.

[HABCAN]

And if you want to 'black' your sights for free, get a strip of paper masking tape and light it to smoke your sights.

[EMC45]

I have the same sight on my #4. Parker Hale

[BruceB]

Just for a temporary glare-reduction treatment, use a simple black marker. It's more durable than smoke.

Also, consider a "paint stick" to do a similar job.... more durable yet.

I've never seen the point of a hood, except to protect the sight a bit. After we agonize about selecting the "right" sight, right bead size, etc etc..... then we cover it with a hood to stop light from shining on it?

I've long preferred a post over a bead, and the hoary "Sourdough" design is a wonderful front sight. In poor light, the post is more-visible than a bead. Also, the gold or white insert is larger and easier to see.

Posts are natural to me due to all the military rifles and training in my past.... but that's just me.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I'd give Williams Gunsight a call and ask them if they have anything that would fit or might be made to fit. Also, try the gunshows. Sight hoods are usually pretty inexpensive and it shouldn't cost very much to pick up several different ones to try and modify.

[Scharfschuetze]

Midway has replica sight hoods for Model 70s and Model 94 Winchesters. As they are fairly flexible, perhaps one of those would slip into the grooves on the sight base as it looks similar to the Winchester front sight and its attaching grooves.

[Frank46]

I also have a sporterized Long Branch with the same parker hale front sight. Appears to have been brazed on as you can see some of the brass or copper colored metal between the front sight and the bbl. Frank

[GabbyM]

I also have a sporterized Long Branch with the same parker hale front sight. Appears to have been brazed on as you can see some of the brass or copper colored metal between the front sight and the bbl. Frank

Most likely silver soldered on. Brazing would be to much heat. Double guns and vent ribs used to be silver soldered. Now a lot of the vent ribs are glued on. Copper color would be typical. From flux or Cu in the solder.

[SteveK]

Frankly, if I had my druthers, I'd put a light pipe on that sucker and call it a day... But I'm gonna try a little harder to add that hood and add beauty to function at the same time.

Thank you my friend.

[SteveK]

Wow! don't think I could handle that.

Thanks you.

[SteveK]

But still, no idea as the the model number? I may just get stuck buying an eleven dollar hood and doing some cutting and shaping the re-blacking the damn thing.

[Frank46]

GabbyM, thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Frank