when was the red front sight insert put in? I see a pre-model 27 that has a letter dating it to 1954 for sale but it has a red insert in the front sight. they didn't have them then did they?

If I remember correctly it was on the debut of the pre model 29 in 1956.But I could be mistaken.

The S&W red ramp was first cataloged in 1952.

Bill

I have saw pre models without them. I don't know if it counts but I have 2 first year highway patrolman (1954) that dose not have them,,,,,,,,,

If you are talented cutting dovetails (I’m not!) you can make an insert of your choice of color from toothbrush handles. An old time gunsmith showed me how to do it once upon a time.

Yep. Done that a couple of times. On a nickel 18 and my 4" 28. Added WO rear leafs too.

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S&W Accumulator

The 1/8" Blanchard Red Ramp front sight was featured in the (October, 1952) first printing of the Centennial Catalog, 1852-1952

Advertised as a recent improvement of the Baughman Quick Draw front sight, Norman E. Blanchard, a former employee of S&W with 50 years of experience, effected a union of these two superb sights, which combined the best features of each. In the face of a serrated ramp, a piece of red luminous plastic has been inserted. "Thus you have a luminous red post front sight of quick draw type which has heretofore been considered a difficult combination to achieve."

S&W and Norman Blanchard supposedly had some sort of a falling out, and subsequent publications of the Centennial Catalog were devoid of the Blanchard front sight. The Baughman Quick Draw front sight with a red luminous plastic insert with a different shape than the Blanchard took its place.

A page from the S&W Centennial Catalog featuring the Blanchard FS has been attached. The photo of the 3.5" .357 Magnum I've attached, which shipped in January 1952, has the very rare Blanchard Red Ramp front sight. Many, many collectors have never seen one in the flesh. Beside the one I own, I have never handled another.

Attached Images

	IMG_2064 Blanchard FS.jpg (89.9 KB, 89 views)
	IMG_2063 Blanchard .jpg (131.6 KB, 56 views)

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STAY ARMED, VIGILANT, SAFE!

I thought Highway Patrolman revolvers came with a plain Baughman and any with an insert were custom ordered or aftermarket additions. Now I'm confused.

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On the whistle draw and fire 6

Most likely one of the rarest sights made by S&W is a Blanchard green ramp (22 Combat Masterpiece shipped in October 1952).

ExRanger714...the Highway Patrolman was standard with a Baughman ramp front sight. If you are referring to post #4, olskool states his two first year HPs do not have red ramps.

Bill

I am always learning on here. thanks for the lesson,,,,,,,,,,,

Thanks Bill for pointing out the obvious to me! Regards JD

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On the whistle draw and fire 6

The M28s that the NY State Police bought had the red ramp front sight and the smooth .312" Ranger trigger.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I once owned a 27-2 with a 3.5 inch barrel , and a 28-2 with a 6 inch barrel.Both had what appeared to be a factory yellow front sight.Neither picked up light very good.Does anyone know for certain if the factory offered yellow at one point ?

Yellow,white,blue and red.
I think I have a picture of the offerings.
I'll check later.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Laketime...I know of a consecutive pair of 29-2s (shipped in 1977/1978) that letter with yellow ramp front sights. The sights were special ordered and never cataloged by S&W (to my knowledge). A factory letter would be necessary to verify whether the yellow ramp on your revolvers was original or after market.

Bill