Stationay leaf blade rear sight. Big effecct on collector value?

daddio202 · #1 08-31-2018, 08:58 PM

I have been running across quite a few older 1905s, regulation police, even a 44 H.E. lately with service sights that have a thin leaf placed in a miled slot on rear of standard service sights. I believe somebody just posted this week with an older H.E. with leaf blade rear sight addition. There was a conversation about if it was vertical or had a slight tilt and whether it was adjustable for windage or just stationary. Most seem to have been well done probably pre war when there were a lot of talented gunsmiths working on revolvers. My question is to the fact if it really hurts the collector value of gun? Also I am wondering if a gun having this done would necessitate a reblue afterword? I have a couple pictures of a 32 regulation police that seems to have had this done and with a 296 starting the serial the gun, it was probably from around 1919 with no monogram and no "made in usa". Wondering if this sight treatment just kills the value? Does not change things much, I gues just adding hieght to rear sight picture. The far right is a picture of the 44 2nd mod H.E. that was sold at end of july in auction for under $700. It had been reblued for sure and I seriously contemplated putting in a bid. I figured this may be a good subject for conversation?

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cgt4570 · #2 08-31-2018, 09:05 PM

From my understanding, these were (rarely) installed at the factory. Some target shoot rules required 'drift-adjustable' sights only (Bisley and others).

Most, though, were installed aftermarket. I have a 6" top break single action .38 3rd model with a leaf installed in the barrel latch.

Me, personally, a lightly used gun with such a leaf would NOT be a deal breaker. It isn't as offensive to me as a lot of the period modifications. For an early gun, a factory letter would definitely be in order. It could have shipped that way, or it could have shipped to a notable target shooter. Your average cop or individual wouldn't bother with the trouble.

Hondo44 · #3 09-01-2018, 12:56 AM

If not factory and the gun was in seriously great collectible condition, yes, the value would be substantially decreased.

If not in highly collectible condition the value would be much less anyway, so the loss of value would be a lot less.

Here's two examples of authenticated factory installations:

Normal style in same thread post #7:

Increasingly more Interesting Triple Lock *update*-bisley-tl-drift-adj-sight-jpg

Increasingly more Interesting Triple Lock *update*-bisley-tl-drift-adj-sight-jpg

Photo by Masterpiece

Increasingly more Interesting Triple Lock *update*-bisley-tl-drift-adj-sight-1-jpg

Photo by Masterpiece

Increasingly more Interesting Triple Lock *update*-bisley-tl-drift-adj-sight-2-jpg

Photo by Masterpiece

A different factory style:

Photo by SixgunStrumpet

beagleye · #4 09-01-2018, 04:24 AM

Most any significant modification after the gun left the factory usually decreases the collectability, a lot. King sites seem to be an exception to that. But if the gun fit a purpose you like, it might turn out to be a satisfying buy anyway. For example the 44 with the long barrel in the picture- The modified front site is surely the only reason I own this gun, too expensive otherwise. Still it's my favorite revolver.

stu1ritter · #5 09-01-2018, 08:59 AM

My 1917 Army (postwar transitional) fills the bill of a drift adjustable rear sight used for certain military matches. Maker unknown.

Stu

red9 · #6 09-01-2018, 09:51 AM

This is the link to a .38 Perfected I recently posted: Finally Found a .38 Perfected Target - Almost As Jim said, an excellent condition gun valuable due to its scarcity is significantly diminished due to modification. I also agree with Chris that target modifications to more common specimens are a different story. Poor quality grips or sights will lower value; good quality will increase it. Some collectors are purists; I am not.

Bob

glowe · #7 09-01-2018, 01:11 PM

I believe that if someone pays more for a King sighted S&W than original factory gun, they are paying more for the King alteration than the S&W they are attached to. Very much like the case of a few stock carvers from the past like Roper. People pay much more than the gun is worth if it has a set of Ropers, not because the gun has increased in value, but because the stocks are most of the time worth more than the gun to a collector.

Personally, I don't see the attraction to a S&W with ugly sights, so have never been interested in a King altered gun.

wheelgun610 · #8 09-02-2018, 01:27 PM

To me personally, it mostly depends on the quality of the workmanship of the modification. I've seen those types of rear sights that were so well done most would think it was factory original work. I've also seen some that looked pretty hideous. Whether it has an effect on fair market value is up to each potential buyer. Some like that sort of thing, and some don't. That simple.

Mark