Early Pre-27 front sight question

[valbehaved]

Hello, everyone...
I recently purchased this early pre-27
The front sight appears to be sloping forward slightly and the blade is serrated.
Is this a correct sight for this vintage gun?
If not, what is the correct sight configuration?
Thanks!

[s&wchad]

That's the original front sight, but someone modified it by grinding it down. I assume it was done to raise the point of impact.

It originally looked similar to this:

[valbehaved]

Thanks!
That make sense.
How difficult would it be to find an unmodified sight and install it in place of the current sight?

[s&wchad]

The front sight blade is pinned to the ramp base, so a good gunsmith or the factory should be able to fit new blade. The pin won't be flush like the current one and will protrude slightly and have radiused ends.

[keith44spl]

I do believe that was originally a Patridge sight blade that someone ramp'd...


So if you wanted to replace it with what looks to be the original blade, ya might want to look for a Patridge....

It could have even been a Call or McGivern, bead style of blade...The reason I know this is,
I've saw myself do this very thing to Patridge blades over the years.

Si Amigo,
Dave

[valbehaved]

Dave:
Do you have a picture of the correct Patridge sight that you could post here?
Thanks.
Val

[bettis1]

I'm inclined to think Dave is correct about it originally being a Patridge.

I like the looks of it, though, and I would certainly shoot it awhile before I messed with changing it. You may love it as much as the original owner did.

Bob

[valbehaved]

Would it be best to send a letter request to S&W to verify what sight the gun originally came with?

[Hammerdown]

Originally Posted by valbehaved

Dave:
Do you have a picture of the correct Patridge sight that you could post here?
Thanks.
Val

Hello Val
Here is a correct factory installed Baughman quick draw sight blade. This is on my 1955 Nickel Pre-27. I do not have one in Blued finish, but can tell you that the Nickel variation's have the sight pin's exposed and they have a slight dome head shape to them. The Baughman sight blade originated around 1937 time span and was first seen on the Registered Magnum revolver's as Famed F.B.I. Agent Frank Baughman sent in a Mechanical drawing of his sight idea and his Registered Magnum hand gun was the first one that left S&W with his new sight design. The Idea behind a Baughman sight blade is that it will Not snag when drawn froma Holster as a Patridge sight blade may. S&W has commonly used the Baughman sight blade on all their guns Mainly with 5" Barrel's or less in length. For one's over 5" in length we commonly see the Black Taller style Patridge style sight blades used, some were also used with the Call Gold Bead installed in them and other's with the Mcgivern Gold Bead installed in them. Shown below my 1955 Pre-27 Baughman style sight blade, as well as my Registered Magnum that shipped in December 1935. You will Notice that It has a Patridge style sight blade as the Baughman style sight blade had not been born yet. The original Owner of this gun that Placed his order in November 1935 asked the factory their advice on what sight to Place on his gun's 3-1/2" barrel and they told him a Patridge style sight blade, so that is why it has one on it. This gun too has an exposed sight blade pin of domed nature as shown in the picture's below. In the Picture you show it appears someone has ground down the sight base as some of it's Factory cross hatch checking is gone now. Below is how your sight base should look wih the Baughman blade as well as my Registered Magnum Patridge sight blade, with both gun's beside each other and only 20 Years between them, there were some subtle changes to the upper sight planes in these two guns. . I hope this helps...

[valbehaved]

Hammerdown:
Thank you for a very informative post and the pics!
It helps a lot.
I think I would request a letter from S&W and see what original front sight the gun came with and then go from there...
Thank you, fellows!
Val