quote:

Originally posted by BoCash3:
I have around 51 years experience with guns and tinkering, replacing parts, minor 'smithing.

However, I am trying to remove a "blank" placed in the rear dovetail of what used to be an adjustible sight.

Rifle: Savage Anschutz (1963) model 153 in .222

"Blank" in rear sight dovetail has a concave semi circular area in top center. I first tried tapping lightly on the side with brass punch and brass hammer from Left to Right. Nothing moved.

Then I tried placing the punch in the concave area of the blank's top and hitting hard.

My brass punch bent terribly.
Still, nothing moved.

Then I switched to a heavy steel punch and hammered hard. The side of the concave area in the blank began to bend, but still the blank did not move.

In desperation, I tried hitting from Right to Left, probably the wrong direction, correct? The metal of the blank's interior bent again.

I then hammered on the blank to flatten the metal that was bent just to restore the shape of the top of the blank and quit.

What am I doing wrong?

I have a Lyman adjustible sight I want to install to at least make this nearly pristine rifle look original again.

Help !

Thank you in advance. "Bo"

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
If the blank is bending, there is something holding it.

I know that statement sounds quite simple, but it should make you think about how to approach the problem. I'd suggest free miners suggestion, cutting the blank. Since we are only talking about a minute of sawing I'd make 2 cuts, above and below the dimple. I'd probably stop just shy of cutting through and hit it with a punch to bulge it up. As mentioned, once it collapses a fraction it will move unless it is pinned in and even then it should move upward, hopefully enough to peek under to see if there is a pin underneath.

I'd strongly suggest using a new hacksaw blade, 32 teeth if you can get it. Before cutting, scribe your two lines carefully. Then use care making the cuts.