Front Sight Removal on M1917 Enfield

A

Adventurer_96

New member
I need to figure out how to remove the front sight assembly from the barrel on my 1917 Enfield in order to replace the hardware for the full-length stock. I have an exploded diagram, but I don't know how to remove the front sight spline in order to remove the carrier from the barrel. I tried tapping it with a punch, but it seems like the metal is very soft, it left a mark, so before I went any further I figured I'd check here.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
Adventurer_96, there is a cross pin that goes through the sight above the spline. Drift it out, then tap the front sight off with a non marring hammer. George
 
I tried giving it a few taps, but the sight didn't move, and I wasn't sure if you had to remove the spline. I'm guessing it's just on tight since it probably hasn't been moved since 1918.

Thanks, I'll give it a try.
 
No luck. I hit it fairly hard with a rubber mallet, and it didn't budge. I heated it sleightly with MAPP gas, tried hitting it, and no luck. This is with the crosspin out, by the way.

Any ideas?
 
I tried picking up some Kroil at WalMart, and they didn't carry it! Hard to believe I know but I bought some temporary stuff that seems to be a clone to WD-40. I'll let it soak overnight and then I'll see if I can get the sight removed.
 
I tried alternately soaking and heating the sight carrier over the last few nights, and it didn't work. So, I cut it off and I'll be replacing it in a few days. Of course, that bought me $10-20 in ammo to re-zero the rifle...

Thanks for the information, it gave me a bit more confidence in removing it as I was doing the right thing, it just wasn't working.
 
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