xausa
.400 member
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
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I have in my possession the above sight, without, alas, the mounting plate and screws needed to attach it to the rifle. Would any of our Down Under friends have a notion where I could obtain one?
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bigger_is_best
.275 member
Reged: 16/01/07
Posts: 82
Loc: Australia
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xausa, bit strange to see an American asking us about shooting gear these days. I look longingly at US sites and wish like hell that there was some sort of free trade agreement between us. For a while post Howard there were plenty of parts, as many people broke firearms up, handed in recievers, and sold the rest of as spares. Unfortunately continued presure on shooters and dealers has seen a decline in the number of bits available. I have just fitted an M17 (US I think) sight to a No. 4 for a mate here,and manufactred a fixed site from plate steel for another mate, both based on cost. A No. 4 sight from a gunshop here was going for around $50 Aus,Plus screws etc. Bit high for a knockaround gun for the back of the ute (pickup truck). We still see them at gun shows, but not as often, and various shops have them sometimes.
Below are two that are worth a try. The first has no website (as far as I know), but is/was associated with Ian Skenerton (writer of all things SMLE)
Lee Spares, P.O. Box 770, Kingaroy 4610, Australia. Fax: 07 4162 5785, international: + 61 7 4162 5785, tel. 07 4162 5366.
The second is a dealer who specialises in ex military, and in particular re-enactement gear related to the Australian Light Horse. He has a web site.
http://www.lawranceordnance.com/
Did you try Numrich, although I have found myself drooling less over their offerings lately, seems like you yanks are seing the same problems we have.
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MarinePMI
.275 member
Reged: 21/04/08
Posts: 92
Loc: San Diego, CA USA
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Another option is the UK. I recall that the Trafalgar Meeting at the end of summer at Bisley tends to have a lot of Enfield parts and paraphenalia. If you (possibly?) have a friend in the UK, they may be able to find what you're looking for. Just a few years back, I attended this shoot and was amazed at all the odds and ends that they had for SMLE's...
-------------------- MarinePMI
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ALAN_MCKENZIE
.400 member
Reged: 24/03/04
Posts: 1214
Loc: Western Australia
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I've got several central sights including one brand new set still in its own tin. Also have a set of Parker Hale sights plus some mounting plates so will see what I can find for you. Al
-------------------- "Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949
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88MauSporter
.375 member
Reged: 06/06/07
Posts: 530
Loc: Alaska / Texas
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I am confused about what is a "central sight" for an SMLE N.4. Is this an addition to the receiver sight that is on the rifle? Replacement for the military sight?
-------------------- "A hunter should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everthing goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." 88MauSporter
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xausa
.400 member
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
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"Central" is the Australian manufacturer's name for a micrometer type rear sight which mounts on a side plate on the left side of the No. 4 receiver. I bought one off an auction site without being aware that the needed mounting plate was missing. There is one currently offered for sale on eBay.au, complete with mounting plate.(Item number: 290242401007)
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xausa
.400 member
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
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Al,
I was finally able to track down a plate on ebay.au, but it is missing the screws to mount it with and to fasten the sight to the plate. When I inquired about the screws, I got this answer:
Bill, I don't have any spare screws. The No.4 rifle needs two screws for attachment of the plate, one is the safety spring screw that is on your rifle, the safety spring is removed for fitting, the rest of the safety is left in place and the safety spindle acts as a locator for the plate. The second bottom screw is an extended rear trigger guard screw it is 4BA in size. Some people grind down the thickness of the plate at the bottom to allow the original to fit but it doesn't leave much meat on the plate, it's better to get the correct length which is 1/8" longer than the original. Specialty bolt and screw places sell these and a mate of mine bought some in the USA but can't remember where from.The third hole in the plate is for adapting the plate to use on an SMLE Rifle No.1, the tits on the back of the plate are ground off for this. Whichever rifle, these central plates need wood to be removed from the fore-end to fit. Target shooters usually just chisel out clearance but it can be done neatly and smoothed into the line of the fore-end. The screw that attaches the sight to the plate is 2BA size, most people here use slot head or hex head because the wing bolt looks good but breaks easily if over tightened. Rob
The expression "4BA" and "2BA" mean nothing to me. Could you translate please and perhaps point me toward a source?
Thanks,
Bill
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Bramble
.375 member
Reged: 29/07/06
Posts: 950
Loc: England
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Bill
BA is a thread pattern, common here in the past, just like UNC UNF whitworth BSF etc.
2, 4 etc refers to the diamiter. in reverse order BA 0 being the largest down to BA 10.
http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Chronos_Catalogue_BA_Brass___Steel__Screws_295.html
Hope this helps
Best Regards
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xausa
.400 member
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
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Thanks for the information, Bramble. I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought another Central sight off eBay from one of your compatriots, complete with base, screws, front sight and instructions, so I'll know what to look for in the way of screws for the first one, and will know exactly what to order, if it comes to that.
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