Hemphill HI sight-grey paint on windage

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   Here is an out-of-the-package Hemphill sight marked HI.
Notice the grey paint on the windage knob.

I have read about Hemphill sights marked H in a shield with grey paint on their windage knobs installed on late Winchester carbines but haven’t ever
seen the HI sights with grey paint mentioned.

Anyhow I thought it was interesting and pretty cool. There
are no markings on the base of this sight.

Skippy

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Skippy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Feb 20 2025 Location: PNW Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skippy Report Post Thanks(2) Quote Reply Topic: Hemphill HI sight-grey paint on windage Posted: Jan 23 2026 at 3:47pm
	Here is an out-of-the-package Hemphill sight marked HI. Notice the grey paint on the windage knob. I have read about Hemphill sights marked H in a shield with grey paint on their windage knobs installed on late Winchester carbines but haven’t ever seen the HI sights with grey paint mentioned. Anyhow I thought it was interesting and pretty cool. There are no markings on the base of this sight. Skippy

Marty Black Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Editor in Chief Emeritus Joined: Dec 30 2015 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Status: Offline Points: 100542	Post Options Post Reply Quote Marty Black Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 23 2026 at 7:27pm
	Whoa Skippy! That IS interesting! I have seen a few adjustable rear sights on Winchester carbines with the windage knob painted gray, but I assumed this was done by Winchester, not the manufacturer. See CCNL 355-10 and 355-12 for evidence that Winchester applied the gray paint, and not just on the adjustable rear sights. So how did this Inland-contracted rear sight get painted with the same paint?!?!? It's good for us old guys to learn something new every day. Thanks for that report! Regards, mb
	Marty Black

welbytwo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Hard Corps Advanced Collector Joined: Jan 01 2016 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 931	Post Options Post Reply Quote welbytwo Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 23 2026 at 9:17pm
	maybe Hemphill put the paint on both as part of their finish inspection??

painter777 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Hard Corps Joined: Feb 18 2016 Location: Central MI Status: Offline Points: 2352	Post Options Post Reply Quote painter777 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 24 2026 at 12:36pm
	Skippy, Any paint on the left side screw head? I think it was CC newsletter #355 (?) that covered the box of ten and mentions paint on Type II and III rear sights sometimes being found on the left, right screws and the base of the aperture. Wonder if fitting/assembly damaged the finish enough that 'Painting' was required afterward before the part was installed or packaged. With this example, as Marcus is leading to.... Seems very likely Hemphill was applying Paint. Wonder if Packard, IRCO examples exist ?? Thx Skippy, Ch-P777
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Skippy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Feb 20 2025 Location: PNW Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skippy Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 24 2026 at 12:43pm
	Hello Ch-P77, No grey paint on the left side screw head, just on the face of the windage knob as shown in the photo. Thanks, Skippy

New2brass Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Dan Pinto, How Can I help Joined: Nov 29 2015 Location: CCC Status: Offline Points: 5527	Post Options Post Reply Quote New2brass Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 24 2026 at 1:27pm
	I seem to remember that there was paint on Winchester butt plates as well?
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Marty Black Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Editor in Chief Emeritus Joined: Dec 30 2015 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Status: Offline Points: 100542	Post Options Post Reply Quote Marty Black Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 24 2026 at 2:22pm
	Again guys, look at NL 355-10 and 355-12. Winchester article by Chris Albright. The gray paint has also been reported on front sight ears, receivers, trigger housings, and barrel bands. Regards, mb
	Marty Black

painter777 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Hard Corps Joined: Feb 18 2016 Location: Central MI Status: Offline Points: 2352	Post Options Post Reply Quote painter777 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 24 2026 at 2:45pm
	Seems pretty obvious Hemphill had Grey paint and was using it to touch up Parked finish wear before packaging parts being sent to Inland as Skippy's sight proves. The reporting by Chris pretty much shows that WRA must have also been touching up Parked finish wear to their 'Almost' completed carbines. Think of this as their 'Punch List' before shipment. Is there any record of Ordnance filing complaints about scarred finishes from WRA? Who else may have been painting..... Packard, IRCO etc ? We need to keep eyes open for possibilities... -21 here this morning, so too cold to shoot, stay warm and look for paint. To Dan, You mentioned WRA possibly touching up butt plates back in 2020: https://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/carbine-butt-plate_topic4800.html I believe I might have a IS Oiler with grey painted cap, locating will be hard. Ch-P777
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Skippy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Feb 20 2025 Location: PNW Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skippy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb 06 2026 at 12:05pm
	This PI milled sight was listed on an auction recently with a group of carbine parts. From the photos, it looks like the windage knob has the grey paint.