Dear Forumites, I was fortunate to recently acquire a pre model 21 with a 4” barrel. A prior owner filed the front sight and I am thinking of having it restored to its original half moon configuration. Have any of you had similar work done on one or more of your firearms? If so, I would appreciate any recommendations of craftsmen who are capable of doing this work. Thank you!

I had a local welder tig weld some material onto a Triple Lock front sight that some previous owner had attacked with a file. The gun has about zero finish left so that wasn't a concern. It might pay to have the blade milled off and a new half moon blade attached with a pin to eliminate the need for a re blue.

I'm not clear on what part of the sight was removed. If the previous owner flat-topped the sight in order to make the revolver aim where it was hitting, that will remain a problem that needs to be addressed. If he cut a notch out of the back of the half-moon to give the front sight a vertical surface like a patridge sight, maybe building up and then reshaping the added material would be a sufficient fix. I actually like the idea of grinding off the rest of the sight, slotting the base, and pinning in a new half-round blade -- which might have to be fabbed if there is no commercially available loose blade of the proper dimensions.

Can you post a picture?

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David Wilson

I have attached a picture of the front sight. Overall the revolver is in really good condition and I would like to return the sight to its original configuration.

Attached Images

DF5B0970-47CD-4A69-ABC7-25ED8A2E40ED.jpg (61.5 KB, 102 views)

I believe a true restoration can only be done with tig welding and clean-up/reshaping/cold blue touch-up. Although tig uses a very localized heat source, "Heat fence" must be used to protect the original bluing around the front sight blade.

A milled off and pinned replacement will not be original. Unless done by someone skilled that knows how to fill old screw holes in guns and peen/dress down. The pin could be hidden that way and the sides of the sight base polished and blue touched up.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

IT APPEARS THAT THE GUN WAS NOT SHOOTING POI TO POA. IF YOU RETURN THE SIGHT TO ITS ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION, YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.....

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU SHOOT THE GUN AS IS, AT A DISTANCE THAT YOU EXPECT WILL COVER THE MAJORITY OF YOUR USE. FROM THAT, DETERMINE THE HEIGHT OF THE FRONT BLADE, THAT YOU WILL NEED....

ARMED WITH THAT INFO, YOU CAN DETERMINE A PROPER COURSE OF ACTION......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I was informed that a previous owner had used the revolver to shoot at longer distances. Filing the sight down would align the POI with the POA for a longer distance. I will be shooting it before I have any work done so I will have an idea of how tall the front sight should be for my intended use. Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge and ideas!

Since it's already been modified, why not do a gold bead?

I have a Bazillion model that that had been done to. I can see why, as it now shoots right to the point of aim with the lowered sight. I have not been inclined to do anything with it.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

To me, the 4” HE N frames with the shrouded tapered barrel and the half moon front sights are the most attractive revolvers extant. I want this revolver to have that cool old school look.

On the one hand, I share your desire for all original. On the other hand I appreciate and respect the past effort and results of those who wanted the gun to shoot where it was pointed. Which is best?

We'll leave the answer to that question in your hands, while we ponder the abject fear that any effort to restore this gun------this gun you say is in "really good condition", is going to end up worse than it is now to one degree or another. The only thing I know for sure and certain is the gun was not original when you bought it---and it damn sure is not going to be original when you're finished fixing it. It may look original---if you're lucky enough to find a craftsman who can restore it to its original configuration---while leaving no sign he was ever anywhere near it. Good luck with that!!

I know---make that KNOW exactly one person who can do this sort of work---and leave no sign it was done. He works on antiques----only.

Ralph Tremaine

I picked up a 1917 which had been reblued and had the front sight made into a "ramp", which unfortunately made the gun shoot quite high at 15 yards. I had Terry Tussey (in Nevada) put the sight back to the original round profile and the gun now shoots POA/POI at 15 yards like it should.
Terry said he used a penny to rebuild the sight, but it isn't pinned into the base (as on newer revolvers) and looks just like the original except for the copper color, which I covered up with black modeler's paint. Looks and works good.

If you want to go the welding route,,I'd take the bbl off and send just the bbl along with a pic of what it is to look like to these folks:

TIG Welding, Micro Tig Welding, Mold Welding, Micro Laser Welding | Micro Precision Welding

They can build up the damaged area w/laser weld and never damage the surrounding blue.
They'll return it as welded which will be very clean and neat. No scale or discoloration. You'll only need to reprofile the weld to your old style front sight and touch up the blue.
I believe they do have an FFL, so you could send the frame w/bbl if you didn't want to separate.
It's just easier to send the bbl that's all.
Email them and they'll be happy to answer any questions.

Gun Repair | Micro Precision Welding

Otherwise, mill off the offending blade, mill a groove in the base and secure a new blade either with soft solder or a pin. Either can be done so the solder line or a pin does not show after trimming off.
Maybe you want a pin to show,,some do.

*I would be tempted to go ahead and pin in a gold bead faced patridge style blade. Something a bit different, but still 'old skool'.
A Half-Target,,is that the correct term for that?.

Dear 2152hq, I live within driving distance of that welding shop. Have they done any work for you along similar lines? If so, could you post a picture or two? Thank you for your suggestion!

AS ALWAYS. IT WAS OUR PLEASURE TO TRY TO BE OF HELP.....

ALSO, YOU MUST FORGIVE ME FOR BEING REMISS IN WELCOMING YOU, AS A NEW MEMBER TO THE FORUM......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.