The original Long Lee’s of
the 1800’s were made based on the original practice where the sights were
installed and set by the factory according to the exact dimensions of the
rifles drawings. Needless to say that accuracy was not good, proof of this fact
was found during the Boer War of 1899-1902. This painful lesson set the British
War Office on a mission to better enhance the accuracy of its front line arms.
What was finally designed was a front sight that fit into the rifles barrel by
means of a dovetail slot and came in different heights, this system first
appeared in 1903 with the making of the SMLE. This allowed each rifle to be
individually sighted by choosing the correct height of sight and then drifting
it to the correct point to zero it, this task fell to the unit armourer.
Armed with nine different
sizes of sights, the armourer could now adjust each rifle for elevation, but he
needed a means to precisely drift the front sight in it’s dovetail to adjust
for deflection (windage). The punch and
hammer, I am sure was used but it lacks any kind of certainty and is at best a
tap and pray method. What was invented for this task was a Sight Cramp.
This handy little tool issued to armourers, fit over the rifles front sight and
by means of opposing screws, allowed them to accurately push the front sight a
measured amount to obtain the deflection required to finish the zero process.
Once the rifle was “on” the armourer staked the front sight in place with a
center punch.
Mark II Sight Cramp (No1 Rifle)
Used by removing the nose cap
No3 Sight Cramp (No4 Rifle)
Used by placing over sight protector
Front sight tightening screw found on
Longbranch and Savage No4 rifles.
This set-up requires an inverted flat-tip screwdriver
to loosen. One can be made at home using an old screwdriver and a dremel tool
with a cut-off wheel attachment.
Mark 4 Sight Cramp (No5 Rifle “Jungle Carbine”)
Used by placing over sight protector, designed to fit
over flashhider.
Mark 4 Cramp other side.
Images courtesy of Graeme Barber