I purchased this 38/44 HD some ten years ago and thought others might like to see the custom from sight work done on the pistol. This is a well used HD shipped in 1931. Sorry for the dark photo of the pistol.



Two pictures of the front sight. Besides putting in what looks like a piece of ivory, it seems that the ramp had some serrations added as well. The bead does help with sighting it in. I just thought it was interesting and worth sharing.

That took some thought and was nicely done.

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Ken

Very cool! Have you lettered it?

That is similar to a sight only offered on the .22/32 Kit Gun prior to the Model of 1953.

It doesn't have a bead, just a notch in an otherwise standard 1/2 rd front sight. Known as the USRA (US Revolver Assoc.) 'pocket sight':


Photo by RKmesa

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thats pretty cool. I find some of the little custom touches done to guns very interesting. Ones like this show that the guy was serious about shooting it. Nice work too. I would take some thought, skill and effort to do that modification that well.

Jim, yes I did letter it. It was shipped to Belknap Hardware Store in St. Louis, MO in 1931. There was a shipment of 3 of these to Belknap. The letter said the sight was done after the pistol was purchased

Funny thing after I purchased this pistol I went to a local S&W gathering and ran into a person who also owned a 38/44 that he had purchased at a different gun shop a few years earlier. His serial number was 300 off from mine and still had the original sight. So when I got home, I asked Roy if that pistol was part of the 3 that went to Belknap's. Roy wrote back and said yes, it was! What are the chances of actually running into another gun in that same shipment. Just crazy! I tried to get back in touch with the owner to tell him, but never did see him again.

Awesome. I'd say the chances were slim to none!

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Jim
S&WCA #819