iron sights for Mauser project

[bluebayou]

I bought a Williams front ramp and a WGOS rear.  The rifle that I have rebarrelled is a 1908 Mauser action  with a German takeoff barrel.

Just how difficult is drilling and tapping for sights on the barrel?  I don't want to do it myself, but possibly could.  I have a drill press, no vise, and a little experience with metal.

I talked to 2 gunsmiths.  One would not work on surplus rifles.  The other would not mount the rear sight to the barrel.  He would mount a receiver sight, but not a barrel mounted rear sight.

Does anyone know a gunsmith in East Texas, Northern LA, that I could take this to?

I have a lot of time in cleaning and polishing the barrel and receiver. I would hate to screw it up myself. 

Is there an easy way to center drill the barrel without wandering around?  That has been my problem with other projects.  I don't want to buy an expensive jig if a gunsmith can do it for $50 or so. 

Any help would be appreciated.

[gunnut69]

One could use a european tradition and mount the rear on a pad soldered (low temp silver solder) to the barrel in the correct place. The front sights height will have to be a bit higher but not too bad an it looks pretty nice. Another advantage would be the sights being raised a bit allowing their use with a stock deisgned for efficient scope use.. The blade mounted on the pad would most likely be of a folding variety..  Many smiths specialize to a degree these days but most will still drill tap holes.. Remember all that's needed is 4-6 threads and with 6-48 screws there are 49 threads to the inch.. keep the holes TSC AND plumb. A lack of either will cause the sight to tilt... I start with a center drill (no walking) and use a Forster mounting jig... Local smiths charge between $12 and $40 a hole to drill and tap.