1891 Argentine Mauser sight question....

[woad_yurt]

I have an 1891 Argentine Mauser that was just a tiny bit sporterized barf a long time ago. Aside from the fore end of the stock having been shortened, the only other issue is the front sight. In order to sight it in, the sight must be moved all the way to one side of the dovetail, making 1/3 of the sight's base actually stick out of the dovetail into open air. It shoots straight but it looks funky. It seems that the piece on the muzzle, which holds the sight, is slighty twisted, which would make the sight, if centered in that piece, sit at something like 12:30 or so. Someone told me that that muzzle piece is soldered on and could be heated up and straightened out. Is this true? If so, how hot would it have to get to loosen up? If not, how does one turn that thing a bit? This rifle, aside from the shortened stock, is beautiful. The action is like silk and it's had very little use. It just looks so screwed up with the sight like that. Everyone who sees it asks "what's up with that?" Any help/advice would be appreciated.

 

[rcmodel]

If it's sweated on with soft-solder, 400 - 500 degrees from a propane torch should do it.

If it is silver-soldered on, you will need an acetylene torch and 1,200 degrees or so.


rcmodel

 

[woad_yurt]

Thank you. So, since it can be spun around, am I right in assuming that the muzzle piece is not rifled?

 

[dfariswheel]

These old Mauser military rifles have front sights that are held in place by soft solder, AND a small screw under the actual sight blade.

To remove or move the sight, remove the sight blade and use a FITTED GUNSMITH'S screwdriver bit to unscrew and remove the screw.
Be careful to use a real gunsmith's fitted bit, because if you "dink up" the screw head, you'll have to drill it out.

Heat the muzzle with a propane torch until the solder melts, and while it's still molten, tap the sight over until it's straight.
Note that the solder used is almost pure lead and will melt at around 400 degrees or so. That's not that hot, so DON'T OVER HEAT.

Allow everything to air cool ON IT'S OWN, do not quench it.
After everything is cool, use a drill to drill a SHALLOW hole in the barrel so the screw will lock the sight in place.

 

[woad_yurt]

Thank you folks. Your feedback is a appreciated immensely. Thanks again.