Sights on pre 27

[wbraswell]

I'm looking at a 1954-55 vintage Pre-27 with a 3.5" barrel, and it has a red ramp front sight, but it doesn't have a white outline rear sight. Could this be correct?

[29aholic]

I would have to say I doubt the red ramp is factory, but anything is possible. I personally would not pass on a gun just because it had a non original RR sight. I might not pay as much...but I wouldnt pass if it was a good deal.

[Nightowl]

If its in good shape, it would not matter about the front sight. It might have been sent back to the factory and added later. Those are great guns from those years and will provide lots of shooting pleasure. I have a 6" I have shot thousands of rounds through and it is still shootable, but I have mostly retired it for newer models. Besides the 3.5 inch barrel is just really a nice looking firearm!

[crappie cowboy]

Originally Posted by 29aholic

I would have to say I doubt the red ramp is factory, but anything is possible. I personally would not pass on a gun just because it had a non original RR sight. I might not pay as much...but I wouldnt pass if it was a good deal.

I have a pre 27 serial number S102***, and it's the same with the red ramp front sight. It doesn't have the white in the rear sight's either.
I put a pic of it on here a couple months ago. Mine has the target grips, and a 5 inch barrel. It's a very nice shooting gun.

crappie cowboy

[29aholic]

Originally Posted by crappie cowboy

I have a pre 27 serial number S102***, and it's the same with the red ramp front sight. It doesn't have the white in the rear sight's either.
I put a pic of it on here a couple months ago. Mine has the target grips, and a 5 inch barrel. It's a very nice shooting gun.

crappie cowboy

Crappie
Welcome to the forum from another Arkie. I am not saying it is impossible, but highly unlikely a 3.5" gun shipped with a red front sight. Front sight inserts were/are a common gunsmith upgrade. I have had several 27's and pre models none of which had the red insert. I HAVE seen model marked guns with them from the factory but not many.

Below is a mid to late 70's 5" 27-2 with standard sights.

[wbraswell]

Well, duh! I can't believe I was so careless that I put this in the wrong forum. I should have said, it's already my gun, and I noticed the sights before I bought it. It's a gun with a lot of "character", so the sights really had no influence on the purchase. I love your forum name, "crappie cowboy". My dear mother was a crappie fisherman until she was too old to walk up the boat ramp, and she could back a boat down a ramp as well as any man could. Boy, I sure miss those filet dinners.

[Doc44]

The ".357" Magnum could be ordered with any front sight, including the red ramp, but most have a Patridge blade (6-inch or longer barrel) or plain ramp (3 1/2- and 5-inch barrel lengths). I have seen a few with a red ramp and plain rear sight blade so yours may be correct. I have a 1950 Target 44 that letters with the same configuration.

Bill

[Dave T]

There was a time when you could get your Smith & Wesson the way you wanted it, rather than the way some desk pusher at the factory thought is should be set up. Ah, for those good old days.

Dave