tool for installation of front sight seal

[RCS]

This photo came from the Rock Island Shop Manual dated 1943. I really doubt anyone would find
one nowdays and most would not know what it was used on !

[Jersey Devil]

That's a neat tool for sure. Would love to find one!!

[Pitbulz21]

But what does it do?

[RCS]

from June 1940 to sometime in 1943, the front sight screw was protected by a seal

[TJT]

I have a 9-'42 SA with the rebated screw AND a NIW seal. I'd sure like to find the tool to install it. Someone here suggested using a C-clamp. I wonder................................??
Jon

[steelap]

Does anyone know what FSMWO B21-W3 directed?

I am guessing that MWO means Modification Work Order. Does FS mean Field Service?

[CCyooper]

Field Service MWO B21-W3, 27 May 43, directed that when the front sight seal was removed to adjust the front sight screw a new seal would not be installed. Hope that helps.

[RCS]

Question: should my April 1943 Springfield rifle have a front sight seal or not ?

[Orlando]

I was under impression sight seals were no longer installed on rifles sometime the beginning of 1943

[RCS]

Bill, your correct, I could not find any data on front sight seals except for SA serial number 1166440 (Jan 1943) has one (Duff's book)

Thought maybe something later but unable to find anything

I do not have a front sight seal on SA 1,540,584

[CCyooper]

I saw a rifle in the 1.49 range that looked extremely good that was an old DCM rifle that had a seal. I also purchased a drill rifle from CMP several years ago that I believe the upper was completely original. It had an uncut oprod, sight seal, correct barrel, etc. I’ll have to see if I have data on it, I believe it was early 43 for some reason. I doubt if it was too much earlier than mid may because in my experience MWO’s were issued fairly quickly after problems were identified or resolved. The MWO was issued on 27 May, then on 26/28(?) Jun 43, TB 1275-5 was sent to the field ordnance officers telling them it was not necessary to replace the seal as it was being eliminated and that new rifles now being manufactured will not include a seal. So I personally believe that rifles assembled in April probably would have the seal and maybe into early May. Just my two cents. based upon the documents. It would be interesting to see if someone could find some old manufacturing photos of the period or a Tuttle type document stating to stop production use.