Removal of Rear sight bracket

[Lost Oki]

I have a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser that I need to remove the rear sight bracket.  Looks like it is
soldered on....I am guessing with silver solder.....so...will Mapp gas get hot enough or do I
need a propane/oxy torch ?

[trotterlg]

Even propane will be hot enough, but the problem will be getting it hot fast enough so that the enitre barrel isn't up to temperature before the silver releases.  Probably about 1,300 degrees.  I would go with a very hot small flame directly on the base so that it will melt the silver before much heat gets into the barrel.  Larry

[gunnut69]

This is fairly easy to do. heat the base with a propane torch or even 2 at once, the solder melts at a fairly low temp and as soon as it flows the least bit tap the base off with a non-marring punch or hammer. I like brass. You will need both hands so hold in a vise with non-marring jaws.

[Spector]

Don't forget to remove the small set screw in the top rear of the base before you try to knock it off.  I used a block of wood behind my sight base to keep from marring it.  If you don't have any use for that rear sight base when you are done I'd be interested in purchasing it from you, or trading something for it.  That is if it is Swede 96 base.  Can't use a Swede 38 base...........Mike

[gunnut69]

Spector;I wasn't aware there was a difference between the 96 and 38 Swedes? The 38 is basically just a cut down 96.. The sights on older rifles had markings for the older round nosed load but the Swedes tacked a plate to the side of the butt with the needed corrections for the lighter pointed bullet. Of course the 94 has a completely different sight, it's a bunch shorter. What is the difference between the two sights 38-96?

[Spector]

Well I got rid of both of my Husky Swede 38's so I cannot examine them now, but their sight bases were both very different from my CG Swede 96's. 

I seem to recall the 38's rear sight was hinged at the rear instead of the front like the 96's, but with my memory I may be wrong about that.  I am positive that the rear sight bases were shaped very differently though. 

The 96/38's are shortened 96's so they may still have the origional 96 bases on them.  A 38 Swede base will not suit my purpose as I studied them carefully while I still owned them ..........Mike

[gunnut69]

Spector- I do not know the difference between the 38 and 96, other than the length. There was a change in sights when they changed to the spitzer bullet profile(it was also a lighter bullet) but as I said I know of no difference between the to. If you need a rar sight for the 96 I likely have some. When the first large batch came into this country I bought quite a few. Most are gone now and a significant number were sporterized.. Yea I know..shame on me but the Swedes are the best shooting of all the Mauser military rifles. They make some of the gratest deer rifles I ever used. In fact a highly modified M96 will be the rifle I build for my son. If you're interested in a sight base just PM me here.. I try to get in at least a couple of times a day, although weekends are iffy....

[Lost Oki]

COOL   I have a Propane torch with two tips and one is a rosebud, looks like I need a bottle of gas and I am in business.  Anticipated old silver solder and I know propane does not get hot enough.

Spector, I hope to work on it around the holidays.  If all goes well, its yours, I also have the rest of the sight, the top wood, the front metal  and I think I still have the cleaning rod and parts for the trigger.  Provide me with a shipping address and I will ship you what you want.
When I throw something out.....you can bet its junk....

[Spector]

I got this info from another site. 

''The elevator bar is moved forward on the m/38 to increase elevation where on the typical m/96 the elevator bar moves from front to back to increase elevation.''

I am very interested in acquiring some additional M-96 rear sight bases.  I'll get with you fellows soon as to how I can do that.

Mike