New Source for M1 Parts

[Chief351]

I have two M1 rifles, a WWII Springfield Armory rifle, and a Korean War vintage Harrington and Richardson Arms rifle. Both were obtained through the CMP.

Back when I received it, I found that the elevation knob was broken - this is usually caused by someone clamping the knob in a pair of pliers to tighten the screw.

I went to one of the surplus parts houses and bought a replacement knob that was supposed to be for an M1, but what I received it I found that it was a knob for an M14. The difference between the two is that the M1 knob is graduated in yards while the M14 knob is graduated in meters. It worked, but it wasn't correct. But I used it this way for years.

A week or so ago I got the HRA out of the safe and started fooling with it, and thought I'd look again for the proper knob. A Google search led me to an outfit called Windy City Sourcing, Inc. in Itasca, Illinois ( www.windycitysourcing.com ), and they had a proper knob and pinion combo for $20.95. I ordered it on January 11 and received it today. It loos good, is properly graduated in yards, and appears that it is either used and re-parkerized, or maybe is new production. So far I'm happy, and if I need anything else M1 related I'll give them my business again.

[Hawk45]

Thanks! The wife and I also have two M1 Garand rifles we got thru the DCM back when you actually had to shoot matches to buy them. Both of ours were arsenal refinished like new with National Match op rods. Always good to have a source for really good parts for guns that might need them in the future.

[Chief351]

Well, I swapped out the M14 elevation knob and pinion for the new M1 one. It appears to fit fine, and the parkerizing is a pretty good match with the windage knob. It had been a long time since I had one of these T105E1 sights apart, so I watched several Youtube videos, and still had a heck of a time getting the windage knob back on right - and actually I'm still not sure if it's really right. For now, until I can get to the club and verify the sight settings, I set the rear sight windage to the center index mark, then came up and clicks from bottom on the rear sight and adjusted the elevation knob to "2" for 200 yards.

The engraving of the index lines and numbers on the new elevation knob is pretty deep and clear (although definitely not for 66 year old eyes). I think I'm going to stop by a craft store and buy some grease pencils and see if I can color-fill the markings.

[Chief351]

Updated to add:

I decided to color-fill the sight engraved settings, and purchased a set of four Sharpie-made white grease pencils. The instructions I found on-line indicated that the best procedure was to heat the area to be colored with a hair dryer, then rub the marking pencil over the lettering. After you have it all filled, just use a rag to wipe the excess off.

I think it turned out pretty good.