Mfr year & approx trade value, Model 63 no-dash

picker77 · #1 08-17-2017, 12:37 PM

I have a clean used Model 63 no-dash pinned barrel square butt, s/n 64146. Pachmayr rubber, no box. Some dipstick "adjusted" the front sight blade with a file, but it's otherwise unmodified. Tight mechanics, sharp bore, excellent shooter. Thinking of talking trade with a local FFL for a new Ruger 22/45 LITE at around $425, but I've had this Model 63 on a back shelf since 1992, and have no clue what it might be worth on a trade these days. Any help? Many thanks.

JP@AK · #2 08-17-2017, 12:48 PM

To begin with, 64146 is not the serial number. The serial number is on the butt and it will start with the letter M.

I don't know how to discount for the filed blade. It is a shame in any case, and it will reduce the value. It will clearly change the aim point, which you will just have to figure out.

An ANIB example will sell for somewhat over $700 these days. Yours would be worth less than that, but I would think not less than about $500, depending on how bad that sight looks. If you really want to make that trade, it sounds like you would do okay on it. But it is really your call.

picker77 · #3 08-17-2017, 12:54 PM

Dang. My apologies, how about M179086 instead!

JP@AK · #4 08-17-2017, 12:57 PM

That's better.

1981.

jack the toad · #5 08-17-2017, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picker77

I have a clean used Model 63 no-dash pinned barrel square butt, s/n 64146. Pachmayr rubber, no box. Some dipstick "adjusted" the front sight blade with a file.

Can you post pics, especially detailing the sight?
ETA:
Not that it really matters, but is filing on top or sides of blade?

picker77 · #6 08-17-2017, 01:28 PM

Ok, here's a couple of snapshots, hope this works. The whole blade was pretty much hacked on. Surprisingly, the elevation is pretty much spot on. Looks like he took out (or lost) the red insert, and then filed down the remainder of the blade, leaving the front section.

murphydog · #7 08-17-2017, 01:39 PM

The front blades were usually dovetailed and pinned into the front sight base, and are therefore replaceable. It is definitely worth more than $425 in a retail list price trade, even with the altered sight.

JP@AK · #8 08-17-2017, 02:07 PM

Alan's comment is worth looking into.

I just took out a Model 63 and looked. The blade does not appear to be removable, but maybe it is. If the blade can be replaced, it would restore this revolver to a higher value.

It does appear that the person who did this was trying to achieve a Patridge type profile on the front sight. I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that, but that is more or less what he achieved. It probably did not alter the height of the blade, which is why it didn't affect the aim point. In any case, it looks terrible.

Now that we've seen pictures, I also agree with Alan that the market value is above the $425 cited earlier. With a replaced blade (if that proves to be feasible) the value would be up around $600 at least.

JP@AK · #9 08-17-2017, 02:10 PM

Here's another thing that is strange:

The blade appears to be blued. On every Model 63 I've looked at, including the one sitting on my bench at the moment, the front sight blade is stainless.

picker77 · #10 08-17-2017, 02:36 PM

Thanks for all the comments. I did wonder about the blued blade, which I've not seen in any other 63. It sort of looks like it ought to be replaceable, but darned if I can see how unless it's interference-fitted or soldered into a milled slot. I tried once several years back to get a gunsmith to replace the front sight, but both smiths I called were too buried with work to look at it so I just stuck it back into the safe. Actually, maybe the smartest thing would be to just send it directly to S&W and let them estimate fixing it. Of course, if S&W gets it all fixed up I'd probably have to reconsider trading it, and trade something else in my mission to scratch this itch I have for a Mk IV with a suppressor and a mini red dot.

picker77 · #11 08-17-2017, 04:21 PM

Hmmm... contacted S&W service, they seemed confused about the sight blade thing too, said it should be pinned, but so far nobody can see evidence of a pin. They said if "it's not pinned they can't fix it", which was a bit of a shock to me. I assumed any gunsmith worth the name could come up with some options, but I guess their policy is if they can't make it exactly original then they won't touch it. They requested and I sent them a batch of close up detailed photos from several angles, and they are currently mulling over the photos to decide if I should send them the revolver or not. Interesting.

THE PILGRIM · #12 08-17-2017, 04:30 PM

If you are hot to trade it off -
Why do you want to spend money to replace the front sight?
Go trade hard!
If you decide you want to keep it, how much to replace the front sight,
Versus how much do you dislike it?

picker77 · #13 08-17-2017, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE PILGRIM

If you are hot to trade it off -
Why do you want to spend money to replace the front sight?
Go trade hard!

If you decide you want to keep it, how much to replace the front sight, Versus how much do you dislike it?

Didn't say I was hot to trade it. Said I was hot to end up with a new Ruger Mk IV with suppressor and red dot, and so happens this Model 63's been lying around for the past 25 years not earning its keep, so that prompted thoughts of a trade. After getting further into it the front sight thing, now I'm curious to see what the fix cost might be.

MikeLeitner · #14 08-17-2017, 06:19 PM

My eyes may be playing tricks, but I see what could be a pin outline.
Just forward of where the ramp is leveled off?

picker77 · #15 08-17-2017, 09:49 PM

Might be getting into anal territory here, but...

Attached is what I sent S&W this afternoon, except these are "shrunk" to fit the forum's attachment size constraints. Looking hard with a 10x loupe under good light, the yellow highlights are the only place I see faint outlines of what I could call pins - under where the red insert would have been. So, could somebody please explain exactly how S&W revolver sights are "pinned"? Not sure I understand the install process. Is the SS ramp installed with two vertical steel pins and then the red insert installed over the top of them?

At least I'm getting an education here. Thanks to all.

linde · #16 08-17-2017, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picker77

Hmmm... contacted S&W service, they seemed confused about the sight blade thing too, said it should be pinned, but so far nobody can see evidence of a pin . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

I just took out a Model 63 and looked. The blade does not appear to be removable . . .

Pictured below is Model 63 s/n M195835 . . . not too far from picker77's . . . and, like everyone else, I see no evidence of a pin retaining the front blade. In fact, the entire barrel, rib, sight base and blade appear as one forging.

Russ

MikeLeitner · #17 08-17-2017, 10:27 PM

Well, from the first photo in your second group, it looks like the bluing (or whatever it is) was applied after the hatchet job. The runoff onto the base gives that away. The dufus wanted to cut the glare from his shiny craftsmanship.
I think you are screwed, boss.

PS - I don't know for certain, but I believe those indentations that you circled are there to keep the insert from moving sideways.

ken158 · #18 08-17-2017, 10:32 PM

Nothing but a new barrel is gonna fix that. If you can trade it for something you want, that is what i would recommend.

linde · #19 08-17-2017, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picker77

. . . So, could somebody please explain exactly how S&W revolver sights are "pinned"? Not sure I understand the install process . . .

Below is an example of a pinned blade on a Model 36-1. Lighting is critical but it is still rare to see the pin as obvious as this one. Normally the pin is polished flush before blueing and can barely be seen.

I've also shown below what it means for the pins to be "proud". By the way, this is an example of a front sight base and blade (one-piece) that was made by Hamilton Bowen for me . . . it can be done.

Russ

linde · #20 08-17-2017, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picker77

. . . So, could somebody please explain exactly how S&W revolver sights are "pinned"? Not sure I understand the install process . . .

Here is a series of pictures that better describe how an S&W sight is "pinned".

Russ

picker77 · #21 08-17-2017, 11:27 PM

Ok, thanks, linde and others. I have literally studied the grain of the metal on both sides where the pin would be, and there is absolutely no sign of one, so it looks like it's all one forged/machined piece. S&W will probably tell me that they'd be happy to install a new barrel, and just for fun I'll ask them for a price. Thanks to all for the education.