Gunsmith *found* for 1911 Colt Project

[NBC_LT]

Shooting the old 1911 (around 1917-1918 manufacture) and the front sight blade broke off at the stake pin. I was able to find the intact front sight blade, but the front sight stake assembly going through the slide is broke.

Tried to find a reproduction stake front sight blade - but no luck! I'd like to keep the pistol original-ish (it is no show-boat but hammers out .45 ACP) unless I absolutely have to go to new sights. Any recommendations or insights?

[Intel6]

Can you put up a pic of the blade? I may be able to help with a suitable replacement depending on what the original looks like.

[NBC_LT]

I can do that over the weekend, I appreciate your interest. I also found some mechanical drawings of the front sight blade.

[Intel6]

I was wondering if it is one of those small "barely there" front sights like used to be on the military issue 1911's. I may have something like that but I have to dig in some stuff to see.

[NBC_LT]

You are right on the money with the "barely there" front sight. The rear sights are small as well. More of a point and click than an aim and click device! I found these tonight - wonder if they'd work.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/169530B
This one looks like it's missing the beveling inward like the drawing in the post above, but the "post" type stake appears correct

http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/451911frontsighta1.aspx
This one looks like it's beveled correctly, but has a square stake

Be interested to know what you find... I'll try to snatch a picture soon.

[Intel6]

Well I went a dug up a small stash of parts I had from older military 1911's and there wasn't a front sight in them. Sorry to get your hopes up but I thought I had one of them in there.

The second link you posted is what I was thinking I had, the square stake is what I have always seen even on the early ones. I think that may be the one you are looking for.

Good luck!

[AZ Husker]

There are two excellent 1911 gunsmiths around 32nd Street and Shea...Nelson Ford and Frank Glenn. I'm sure either of them could square you away.

[NBC_LT]

Thanks for the advice about the smiths in PHX.