JDL
.333 member
Reged: 25/12/10
Posts: 263
Loc: Louisiana
|
|
Was looking at a 1910 and noticed how far the front sight was to the rear. Is this unusual?
|
DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27830
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
|
|
Surely would have noticed that before, but I haven't.
-------------------- Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
|
DORLEAC
.333 member
Reged: 22/01/12
Posts: 469
Loc: Perpignan, France
|
|
Many of the pre WW1 1910 rifles and stutzen have the front sight 1" from the barrel mouth. We have encountered a lot of such fitted M-S, all were 1910 models.
DORLEAC www.dorleac-dorleac.com
|
Louis
.375 member
Reged: 13/05/15
Posts: 977
Loc: France
|
|
JDL - Although not common, this is encountered from time to time and I have a M. 1908 detachable stock with front sight similar tou yours, see hereafter:


Louis
-------------------- "Everything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger"
|
JDL
.333 member
Reged: 25/12/10
Posts: 263
Loc: Louisiana
|
|
Thanks for the information fellows.
|
Rothhammer1
.400 member
Reged: 06/01/17
Posts: 1866
Loc: The Redwoods of California
|
|
I have seen several images on the 'net from auctions and other 'sites over time that have shown the sight mounted well behind the muzzle.
My M1910 takedown (proofed 1922) has the front sight forward, but here's Clint Eastwood with a takedown MS (the front takedown pin is clearly visible, as is the stock profile) that has the sight mounted aft:
 It was purported to be a "six point five" (M1903) in the film, 'White Hunter, Black Heart'.
This M1910 (also a 'takedown' detachable stock) sold at Rock Island for $3450 in 2017:
My front sight looks thus:
|
paradox_
.375 member
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 645
Loc: Australia
|
|
I have a 1910 full wood with 24inch barrel with the front sight set back. ( Special Order) In very little used condition, even has the cleaning rod with correct jag for the 9.5. Will post post after the Easter break. Dorleac appears to be correct, just the Model 1910 seems to appear with this feature.
Best Eric
-------------------- Walk softly and carry a big stick
|
Rothhammer1
.400 member
Reged: 06/01/17
Posts: 1866
Loc: The Redwoods of California
|
|
Quote:
, just the Model 1910 seems to appear with this feature.
Louis shows his M1908 with the 'set back' front sight in his post above.
Here's an M1903 with the 'set back' and a sight hood, albeit a Westley Richards custom: RockIsland
Another 6.5X54:
And this:

Another '03 from Gunauction:
There appears to be something 'odd' about the stock on that last image, just behind the forearm checkering. It looks as if material has been removed - perhaps a feature of the 'extra light' option as advertised in the '39 Stoeger?
|
paradox_
.375 member
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 645
Loc: Australia
|
|
There you go, we never stop learning
-------------------- Walk softly and carry a big stick
|
Rothhammer1
.400 member
Reged: 06/01/17
Posts: 1866
Loc: The Redwoods of California
|
|
Quote:
There you go, we never stop learning
No doubt.
I'm unsure at this point if any of the rifles and carbines left the Steyr factory with that sight placement or if the front sights were installed or moved by custom builders.
I haven't found any catalog references or advertisements from Steyr or their retailers that offer an option of having the sight 'set back'.
The quest for knowledge continues... .  "Is it ATOMIC?"
-------------------- Citizen of the Cherokee Nation
|
Rule303
.450 member
Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5297
Loc: Woodford Qld
|
|
I always took it that the front sight was set back to allow for the front barrel/muzzle band on the full wood stocks.
|
Igorrock
.400 member
Reged: 01/03/07
Posts: 1690
Loc: Finland
|
|
IMO these "set back" fore sights are quite typical for rifles built or re-sold by british shops. I have read that the reason for this "set back" is an idea that if/when barrels muzzle crowning goes bad it´s quite easy to shorten barrel a little and then re-crown it.
-------------------- http://promaakari.wordpress.com/
|
Rothhammer1
.400 member
Reged: 06/01/17
Posts: 1866
Loc: The Redwoods of California
|
|
Quote:
IMO these "set back" fore sights are quite typical for rifles built or re-sold by british shops.
Many of the images that I have found of MS with the 'set back' sight are in cases with British gunmaker's labels. I've guessed at it being a 'British thing' myself.
Here's a Westley Richards rifle with the 'set back' front sight.

On the other hand, though a Mannlicher Schoenauer with the factory take down system is often referred to as 'British Take Down', my M1910 take down has the sight at the muzzle. It is cased, but if there was ever a label it is long since gone. My grandfather bought it second hand in Ceylon ca. 1932.
|
Rothhammer1
.400 member
Reged: 06/01/17
Posts: 1866
Loc: The Redwoods of California
|
|
Quote:
I always took it that the front sight was set back to allow for the front barrel/muzzle band on the full wood stocks.
Or not?
-------------------- Citizen of the Cherokee Nation
|