Front sight for 1851 Navy

[Handsome Dave]

Howdy all,

I am new to the site, I am looking for a front sight (Brass Nub) for my 1851 Navy made by Arms port inc. I'm not sure if the Uberti or Pietta sights from VTI will fit. any help is much appreciated.

Cpt. David A. Grimes
Warrenton, Missouri

Great Great Great Nephew of Maj. Gen. Bryan Grimes, CSA

[Pettifogger]

How big is the hole?  Give me the dimensions and I can tell you if a Uberti sight will fit.  Have a couple pulled for work.

[Handsome Dave]

  Don't know if this helps but a T-10 "star" diver fits perfectly

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

My '51 Navy and brace of Richard Masons now sport dovetailed frontsights.  IMHO, an ideal solution.

[Handsome Dave]

Where'd you get that done?

[Pettifogger]

Don't know if this helps but a T-10 "star" diver fits perfectly

That's not really a measurement.  The hole in a Uberti barrel is .100 and the sight is a press fit.  A dovetail can be cut by pretty much any machinist or gunsmith.  You want a standard 60 degree 3/8" dovetail.  Then you can pretty much put any kind of front sight you want in there.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Dandy Dave;  A local craftsman.  The same fellow that did my Gemmer Sharps.  It can be done with careful handwork.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I cut a dovetail by hand.  Took about 2 hours.  (A loading latch on a Pietta NMA that the barrel HAD to be cut down on.)

I was worrisome the WHOLE time - but I took my time and resisted the urge to rush.


I hope NEVER to do it again - but I now know it CAN be done, if needed.

[Deadeye Dick]

SHB,

Gutsy move!    ; ::)D

Deadeye Dick

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thanks.  I was doin' a LOT of sweatin', as I recall! 

[Paladin UK]

Fer HD........
Like the other pards say.....iffn its at all possible fit it yerownself or get yer local gunsmith ta dovetail in a sight fer ya, It`ll get rid of ALL yer sighting problems and also the blade (IMOHO  ) normally gives a better sight picture anyways

Heres a piccie of my Pietta Sheriff that I fitted a dovetail front sight to.....



Paladin (What lurvs his opentops ) UK

[Steel Horse Bailey]

PUK, ol' Pard!  With that sight, it looks like a Piettington!     

Nice and easy to see!  Did ya square the notch on the hammer to go with it?  Could be pretty easy, with a good swiss file. (Depending on the hardness that they quenched it to, natch-er-lee!)