Osborne Fire Finders Available

In 2002, the U.S. Forest Service San Dimas Technology and Development Center undertook the challenge of finding a source for new Osborne Firefinders and replacement parts. It was found that Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the last manufacturer of Osborne firefinders, had not produced parts for many years and no longer had casting patterns or production drawings. A set of AutoCAD drawings was then created, and with the help of Jeff Palmquist, a pattern manufacturer and volunteer lookout on the San Bernardino National Forest, casting patterns were fabricated. (Jeff is the Team Leader for Morton Peak Lookout and a member of the FFLA.)

Palmquist Tooling of Southgate, CA, has been a participant in this project and is now the sole source for Osborne Fire Finders. In 2003, prototype firefinders were evaluated in Oregon at Odell Butte and Green Mountain. The bugs with the prototypes and initial production runs have been worked out, and new Osbornes are now available, as well as replacement parts for existing firefinders.

Research turned up many variations of the firefinders that were manufactured from the beginning 1910 stages, with the “re-created” firefinder staying closest to the 1934 Osborne. Design changes included reducing overall weight by making the square base out of aluminum instead of cast iron, adding nylon inserts vertically and horizontally in the sight ring eliminating metal to metal rubbing with the azimuth base, and adding some feet to the bottom  of the square base so the firefinder will sit level when off of the
rails.

Free estimates for refurbishing firefinders are available and a selection of replacement parts is kept on hand.

Osborne replacement parts price  list (Dec. 2005):

Complete Osborne - $3960.00
Lot of 10 complete sets - $36,432.00
Front sight  assembly - $372.00
Rear sight assembly - $410.00 

Sight bearing ring w/ inserts - $367.00
Sight ring assembly - $953.00
Tape assembly - $144.00
Tape piece  only - $95.00
Aluminum map disc - $31.00
Rear Sight Sliding Peep Sight - $138.00

Inquiries to:

Palmquist Tooling Inc. (Jeff  Palmquist)
8120 Otis St,
South Gate, CA 90280
323-567-1479; Palmtool@aol.com