Recently acquired a very clean 29 - 2. Noticed the discoloration marks in line with the orange part of the sight. 1973 production serial #.
Ideas? Both sides have the line.

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Possibly somebody poured a new insert and didn't fit the "dams" on either side of the blade tightly enough. Just a guess.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

Someone may have gotten aggressive with some kind of cleaning/polishing solution around the insert and it rubbed off some into the metal. Try putting some alcohol or light fluid on a q-tip and see if it cleans up the edges around the insert.

Not sure about the discoloration but I would guess it's "wear" on the sight from a holster. Some holsters have a channel inside to protect the sight blade. Repeated insertion and removal of the gun from the holster can cause wear to the bluing on the blade.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

The "red insert" is added after the revolver is blued. Most red ramp front sights have some fitting marks on either side of the ramp blade (these are most visible in reflected light). Based on the photos, I think yours looks normal.

Bill

Okay Bill, so far I lean your way. This gun was purchased and supposedly only shot three times. No holster. Just looks like somebody rubbed the sight and also polished the metal when they built the gun.?. Just looking for other examples.
Notice the cylinder wear lines. Very light. No muzzle wear. But.....?

Thank you for the responses!
For all I know, someone used to scratch their armpit with it......
We never know where a used weapon has been.

I have used a little cold blue with a Q-tip to touch up front sight blades. It usually works quite well.

Bill

I like post #3. Some solvents will remove plastic. Hoopes Benchrest solvent will.