Pre Model 24 Question

[weeha1966]

I am looking at a pre model 24. Serial # S143XXX. My Smith & Wesson book states that these came with the baughman front sight. This particular gun has a Patridge front sight. Did Smith make any of these guns with the patridge front sight?

 

[CptCurl]

They made most of them with the patridge sight.

Here are photos of #S145147 with its patridge sight:

 

[Art Doc]

The vast majority of these came with a 6.5" barrel and a Patridge sight. I have never seen one with that barrel length and a ramp but a few probably exist. The much less common 5" and 4" versions had ramps.

 

[Hondo44]

Which barrel length was your book referring to? Like the Capt and the Saxon said above long barrel= Patridge and short barrels =Baughman quick draw ramp site.

But as always, you could spl order whatever you wanted in those day. I have a 6 1/2" with the Baughman but no photo yet.

 

[weeha1966]

It says " 6-1/2" shrouded and pinned barrel standard with a serrated rib (4"scarce, 5" rare, 5-1/2 extremely rare) all with Baughman front sight."

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Mine also has Partridge sight. Not quite as much bluing as pics shown! Those are nice!

 

[CptCurl]

It says " 6-1/2" shrouded and pinned barrel standard with a serrated rib (4"scarce, 5" rare, 5-1/2 extremely rare) all with Baughman front sight."

What reference are you quoting? It certainly is incorrect.

The standard configuration was 6.5" barrel with patridge sight. As stated, there were shorter barrels with the Baughman and there were special orders.

If you are considering one with the patridge sight have no fear! They are wonderful guns.

 

[weeha1966]

Standard catalog of Smith & Wesson copyright 2006. Page 160 "The .44 Hand Ejector 4th Model Target (a.k.a. Model of 1950 .44 Target-Pre-Model 24"

 

[DGT]

Mine has a ramp front sight with insert but I can't say if it is a replacement or not. The factory letter made no reference to the front sight one way or the other.

 

[weeha1966]

I noticed that the "Model 24: The Target Model of 1950 .44 Special Target" has the patridge front sight. But, the serial numbers start at S185000

 

[CptCurl]

Mine has a ramp front sight with insert but I can't say if it is a replacement or not. The factory letter made no reference to the front sight one way or the other.

I'm no expert, but it looks like that one may have gone in for sight replacement at a later date. The rear sight has the later convex head windage screw. I'll bet it is a white outline sight. I would speculate someone wanted the red ramp and white outline, so had the replacements put on.

What about the cokes?

Nice gun, by the way!

 

[Sebago Son]

1950 Front Sight Blades....

It says " 6-1/2" shrouded and pinned barrel standard with a serrated rib (4"scarce, 5" rare, 5-1/2 extremely rare) all with Baughman front sight."

I would say that your book is wrong or we are misreading it..... Most of the 6 1/2" 1950 / 1955 Targets have a Patridge blade.

But they are not particularly difficult to change with the right tools....

 

[keith44spl]

My 6 1/2 has a patridge blade and my 5" & 4" has a ramp blade...

But they are not particularly difficult to change with the right tools....

Oh yeah,

I'm thinking I'll mill a lit'l sack full of them buggers out right thar.
Ya know different heights and all.

I feller could use 'em every now and again.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[Sebago Son]

I'm thinking I'll mill a lit'l sack full of them buggers out right thar.
Ya know different heights and all.

I feller could use 'em every now and again.

Su Amigo,
Dave

If'n you need a pattern Dave, let me know and I'll loan you one of these.... if you're gonna make a few extry, put me on the top of the list... these seem to have dried up and are a scared as mallard molars.....

 

[brick]

I think there is a statement somewhere in the explanation that up until a certain serial number, the revolvers came with a Baughman sight and after it came with a Patridge sight. I don't have my book with me but I can check later. I have a pre24 with a Patridge sight.

 

[rck281]

The most common front sight for a 6 1/2" barrel is the plain Patridge front sight. However, they can be fount with a red ramp, red post, and McGivern gold bead (very rare). I have all in my collection and all letter. Most of the 4" and 5" guns have the Baughnam ramp front sight either plain or with red insert. I know of one 5" gun that has a red post and was a special order gun.

 

[Xfuzz]

Here is one lettered with the red post and smooth stocks....1954mfg

 

[CptCurl]

Here is one odered with the red post and smooth stocks.

Dang, if I could hit the "like" button more than once I'd do it!

 

[Hondo44]

Standard catalog of Smith & Wesson copyright 2006. Page 160 "The .44 Hand Ejector 4th Model Target (a.k.a. Model of 1950 .44 Target-Pre-Model 24"

Yes, that's correct but pg 160 conflicts with page 190 which addresses the Mod 24. Pg 190 also includes info back to the 1950 Target and gets the sight correct as Patridge for 6 1/2" guns. Albeit makes no mention of the Baughman for the shorter barrels.

The SCSW is an excellent book, make no mistake about, but it's riddled with little inconsistencies like this and must be read tempered with actual knowledge that can only be gleened from this forum's experienced members.

 

[Hondo44]

I noticed that the "Model 24: The Target Model of 1950 .44 Special Target" has the patridge front sight. But, the serial numbers start at S185000

That information is correct but: pg 160 correctly states the '50 Target began with S75000 in 1950 but the sight info for 6 1/2" is wrong. And pg 190 correctly states that the Model 24 began at S185000 with correct sight info for the 6 1/2", but not correct for the shorter barrels.

The given serial #s both jive with the serial # list on pg 397.