Needed help with a LEE ENFIELD NO1 MK3

[Eb1]

hello, all.

I am having a problem with my Lee Enfield. I cannot get the front sight to move. It seems there is a screw in the slide, but there isn't a slot to loosen it. I am needing to move the sight to the right.

Does anyone have advise, or a tool to loan?

Thank you.

 

[Eb1]

I really need some help.

 

[Marcus5aurelius]

I would if I could but I have no experience with enfields

 

[Claude Clay]

http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/ti15.htm

 

[Eb1]

That link has no data about the tools needed, or the procedure to move the sight in the dovetail.

Thanks for the post, but again the link provided has no details regarding my original post.

 

[Limeyfellow]

The front sight band is kept in place with a pin. You have to hammer it out with a punch to move it. The front sight itself is held in place by a lugged head screw that requires a special tool to remove.

 

[Eb1]

I have removed the front sight wings via 2 screws. What is the tool I need, LimeyFellow?

 

[Limeyfellow]

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/lt2/index.asp

Shows one of the tools for adjusting the windage and well worth it if you have plenty of Lee Enfields.

The tool to take out the lugged head screw though comes as part of the bolt disassembly tool.



You see the slotted tool on the handle. That is it. You can make one of course by cutting the end of a screw driver off and using a hacksaw or dremel to make a slot in the end and it does the job just as well. Be much cheaper that way too. You can also use an old allen wrench like this one guy did.



You can of course occasionally find the actual tool on Ebay or a few other places. Be careful that some people are selling new bolt removal tools that don't include the screw driver and front sight screw remover built into the handle.

 

[Eb1]

I just be missing something. I will post a pic tonight to clarify. I am not seeing where this tool will help.
It might help on a NO4, but not on my NO1.

 

[Dark Skies]

The early Lee Enfields' front sight were adjusted by the company armourer and then staked in place so soldiers couldn't fiddle with it. Instead soldiers were taught to aim off to adjust for windage. You'd most likely need a gunsmith to remove this stake - they're in pretty tight. Once it's out the dovetail is adjustable for windage by drifting it either side to the left or right as appropriate. You can also adjust for elevation by replacing the foresight with one of a different height. They came in nine different sizes. They are NOT interchangeable with the later Mk4s - the dovetail is slightly different. The elevation is stamped into the foresight and will be one of these:

.090
.075
.060
.045
.030
.015
.0
-.015
-.030

Personally i wouldn't mess with it and would learn to gauge off like the original Tommies did. But if you really need to adjust then I'd get a gunsmith to remove that stake rather than try it yourself. Not what you wanted to hear but I hope it helps.

 

[Eb1]

Not what you wanted to hear but I hope it helps.

Exactly what I needed to hear. I knew that there was something to it. That stake is what I wanted to verify.


Thank you.

P.S.
Do you think the gunsmith will be able to replace the stake?

 

[DougW]

The front sight is friction fit on a #1mkIII. You must place the rifle in a very stout vice with pads to protect the wood and metal. You can't move the site hitting it while the rifle is laying on its side normally. A good punch and decent size hammer will overcome the strakes. You do not need a special tool.

The #4 and #5 front sights are held in with a reverse friction screw. I made a tool to loosen the tool from a little used allen wrench.

Let me know if you need pics of the procedure, and I will "chuck up" a #1mkIII.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Those are nice Doug. So far I am No1 free, advanced stages of No4 and first stages of No5. No4 disease is staring it's "TR" stage.
I'm doomed.

 

[Reid73]

May be of interest:

The Lee-Enfield Forum;

The Lee Enfield Rifle Association

 

[DougW]

madcrate- this is how bad the disease is!!!!





:banghead:

 

[American Finn]

Gentlemen, if I had to have a disease, this is it!!!

As has been often said about the rifles used during the First World War: "The Germans had the best hunting rifle; the Americans the best target rifle, and the British the best battle rifle". I think that sums up the Lee Enfield.

 

[Jeff F]

DougW, your a very sick man.

 

[Reid73]

So far I am No1 free, advanced stages of No4 and first stages of No5. No4 disease is staring it's "TR" stage.

Don't worry, when the disease has run its course you can develop a passion for P-14s and Ross Model 10s.