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Springfield 1st Allen Conversion rear sight
Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2023 1:59 pm
by tdoor
How was the rear sight attached to the barrel of the Springfiel 1st Allen conversion. I have read that it was soft soldered to the barrel. The sight is the M1861 which has a projection to fit into a mortise slot on the barrel. Did the 1st Allen have a mortise slot cut into the barrel? If not, how could it be soft soldered flat to the barrel if there is no mortise? reason asking is that I have a 1st Allen in excellent condition that does not have a rear sight attached, smooth barrel, no mortise and no indication of ever having a rear sight attached to the barrel. Can someone shed some light on how the sight was attached?
Re: Springfield 1st Allen Conversion rear sight
Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2023 9:03 pm
by carlsr
tdoor wrote: ↑Thu Oct 05, 2023 1:59 pm
How was the rear sight attached to the barrel of the Springfiel 1st Allen conversion. I have read that it was soft soldered to the barrel. The sight is the M1861 which has a projection to fit into a mortise slot on the barrel. Did the 1st Allen have a mortise slot cut into the barrel? If not, how could it be soft soldered flat to the barrel if there is no mortise? reason asking is that I have a 1st Allen in excellent condition that does not have a rear sight attached, smooth barrel, no mortise and no indication of ever having a rear sight attached to the barrel. Can someone shed some light on how the sight was attached?
I have an early 1st Allin with the square sight notch. There is no mortise for the sight on mine and I believe that the 1st Allen did not have a mortise as they were soft soldered on.
Mine however is not soldered on but rather screwed on using a sight screw. Some time during it's life it may have fallen off and then whoever owed it at the time drilled and taped it for the screw, a little out of line with the breech block. One day I may have it realigned and properly soldered on.
Re: Springfield 1st Allen Conversion rear sight
Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:05 pm
by tdoor
Great thanks, If you remove the sight how is it configured underneath? Is the projection that would have normally fit into a mortice cut filed down to meet the contour of the barrel?
Re: Springfield 1st Allen Conversion rear sight
Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:32 pm
by Dick Hosmer
I've not handled a whole lot of 1st Allins, being out in CA, but those I've seen - including my two (one each, square notch and round notch) have the soldered-only sight. Have never handled/seen one without a sight.
Re: Springfield 1st Allen Conversion rear sight
Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:54 pm
by carlsr
Dick Hosmer wrote: ↑Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:32 pm
I've not handled a whole lot of 1st Allins, being out in CA, but those I've seen - including my two (one each, square notch and round notch) have the soldered-only sight. Have never handled/seen one without a sight.
Are the sight screws also present in those 2 rifles you have Dick?
Re: Springfield 1st Allen Conversion rear sight
Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2023 11:54 pm
by Dick Hosmer
Soldered only, no screw(s)
Re: Springfield 1st Allen Conversion rear sight
Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2023 12:42 am
by Fred Gaarde
Wow!
