help with jaeger sight

[olskool]

if i could get a little help from the experts here i sure would apprecheat it! i need a taller front sight. this is the problem, the base / dovetail is about 1/2 in. wide. dose anybody know where i can get one? the base is about 3/4 long. if i can get a high one of course i will file it to the correct height. any help is welcome,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[SDSmlf]

Don’t know if I’ve seen a sight with a 1/2” dovetail, but obviously they make them, as that is what you got. Widest I remember seeing was about .460” I believe.

In my non-expert opinion, I see three options if none are found for sale.

1. Consider lowering the rear sight. Same effect as raising the front sight
2. Add a bit of weld to the existing front sight to raise it’s height, then adjust to the height you need
3. Make a new from sight from a piece of steel. If you are good with hand tools and files, not that difficult, but will take some time. Here is a ‘how to’ from Recreating the American Longrifle by Buchele.
   
   
   
   

 

[olskool]

SD that is the options i had in mind also. thanks!

 

[SDSmlf]

SD that is the options i had in mind also. thanks!

After I saw your reply I realized I only include Buchele’s sketch of a rear sight, but not a front. Here it is.

 

[Robby]

You could very easily solder a piece onto the top of the blade to make it taller, or you could file the rear sight lower which would require the front sight be raised to meet the new flat. Or, you could go to 'Track of the Wolf' site and peruse what they have to offer. Their catalog has real size pictures, I don't know if the web site offers dimensions but you can call them and ask for help.
Robin

 

[olskool]

the problem with filing the rear sight is it is a double blade and the lowest setting is as low as it can be filed now.

 

[SDSmlf]

Curious where the 1/2” dovetail sight came from. Purchased or fabricated? One of the beauties of custom made one off guns. I’m debating right now about one of those double/folding rear sights for a Jaeger I’m putting together. My eyes are telling me to use a ghost ring of some sort instead. Thought about a aperture in the folding leaf with a center point hold right on for maybe a 100-125 yards, and a 50 yard zero for the fixed blade with a standard square notch....... not sure there is enough metal.

Knowing what rear sight you have, my suggestion to lower it is off the list. Going to have to raise the front. Might want figure out how high you have raise it, maybe glue a small extension to the top of the sight and shoot to check elevation drop, or do the math. Or both.

I’d probably start by adding a bit of weld, just need someone good at ‘micro welding’. I used to use a guy who had a laser setup and it was amazing what he could do. If that failed, save the base and try the slotted assembly like in the sketch posted above. You could also fabricate one from scratch. All you need is something like 3/32” flat ground stock, maybe 1/2” wide (or 1” wide if your not sure a 1/2” is enough height). If you don’t have a piece of steel laying around you could order it from a place like MSC. A 24” long piece will give you plenty to practice with. Just get it thick and wide enough to give you something near your desired finish dimensions. https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06201057

 

[Kansas Jake]

SDSmlf, often folks talk about adding to or welding a small part to repair it. What do you or others use to weld small parts? A wire welder, oxycetylene, or Tig? I have a small mig gas welder. Does that work? To take a small part to a shop to have it done would probably cost more than a replacement part in many cases.

 

[SDSmlf]

I’m not a precision welder. As I said in a previous post I have used a guy that did micro welding under a magnification with a laser, but it was always more of doing a quick favor within a group of friends than a purchased service.

Any idea where the original wide dovetail sight came from? Have you checked with gun part suppliers and sight makers like Marbles and Lyman? If you can get them on the phone they may be able to direct you to someone who could help with a replacement.

 

[olskool]

well I talked to a man today and he told me to silver solder a piece on it. I took another sight with the same blade profile but higher and ground the base off and trued it up with a file. I can either cut off the original blade and silver solder it on the old base or solder the new blade onto the existing blade the cut it down,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[SDSmlf]

well I talked to a man today and he told me to silver solder a piece on it. I took another sight with the same blade profile but higher and ground the base off and trued it up with a file. I can either cut off the original blade and silver solder it on the old base or solder the new blade onto the existing blade the cut it down,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Just make sure the sight blade is taller than you think you will need. Adding material is inherently more difficult than removing it..... but I’m guessing you have figured that out....

 

[jager43478]

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if i could get a little help from the experts here i sure would apprecheat it! i need a taller front sight. this is the problem, the base / dovetail is about 1/2 in. wide. dose anybody know where i can get one? the base is about 3/4 long. if i can get a high one of course i will file it to the correct height. any help is welcome,,,,,,,,,,,

I make my own sites. U can make a new front blade make sure u put a little leg on the bottom in the center of the new blade. Cut the sight off the base then drill a small hole to a accommodate the leg on the blade, then secure the blade in a vise with the base on the top of the vise. Peen over the leg and file to the base. Then turn over and solder the blade to the base. Clean up and either brown or blue. Good luck.

 

[olskool]

I make my own sites. U can make a new front blade make sure u put a little leg on the bottom in the center of the new blade. Cut the sight off the base then drill a small hole to a accommodate the leg on the blade, then secure the blade in a vise with the base on the top of the vise. Peen over the leg and file to the base. Then turn over and solder the blade to the base. Clean up and either brown or blue. Good luck.

thank you! i can see it in my mind. i know what to do now,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Flinty Scot]

You might build the top of the sight up with silver solder, then file it into shape.
That would give you a "silver" bead effect.
Alternately, carve a sliver of antler/bone to glue/epoxy on the top for the same effect.

 

[olskool]

You might build the top of the sight up with silver solder, then file it into shape.
That would give you a "silver" bead effect.
Alternately, carve a sliver of antler/bone to glue/epoxy on the top for the same effect.

that is good ideas, thank you! I am in the process of making a sight. i made the base and blade yesterday, it looks good. the solder is on the way from brownells. if that doesn't work out i will give the bone idea a try,,,,,,,,,,,