S&W's with a Coin for a Front Sight

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


I just received a beat-up Old Model (a.k.a. Second Model) Russian
and the front sight was made from a Seated Liberty quarter.
I have seen other #3's with front sights made from coins and
I was curious about what others have seen. Plus, I thought it
would be a fun topic to discuss.

So, what have you guys seen? Anecdotes are fine. I'll post pics of
mine soon.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[Boulder350]

Always wanted to install a coin as a front sight if one is missing on an old gun. Think they look pretty cool.

Are you sure its not a dime? Quarter would be pretty big

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Here are the front "Coin" sights on 2 barrels I have. Both are Russian
models and the second one is just a barrel (third type) but I'm not
sure which model (first or second). It has been severely shortened
and the stamp on the top rib is not very clear but I can make out
"Russian Model" at the end. The Russian 2nd Model I just got has
a fourth type barrel. Here are Pics of the first one of the two:

(1) - A pic of the Russian 2nd Model,

(2) - A close-up of the left side of the sight showing the obverse
of the Seated Liberty Quarter,

(3) - A close-up of the right side of the sight showing the reverse
of the Seated Liberty Quarter (you can just make out "Quar. Dol."

(4) - A pic of a typical Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar.

I'll continue with pics of the other barrel in the next post.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[rct269]

Never had one, but also thinking a quarter would surely be too big!

Then again, I don't have a clue as to how big a quarter was back in the day------just that it was worth more than it is now!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Always wanted to install a coin as a front sight if one is missing on an old gun. Think they look pretty cool.

Are you sure its not a dime? Quarter would be pretty big

I thought that at first but after looking closely at the right-hand
side of the coin, I can make out what's left of the "QUAR. DOL."
at the bottom of the reverse side of the quarter.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Here are pics of the other barrel I have. I mentioned it has what's
left of "Russian Model" under the rust and file marks and is a
third type barrel. The coin used is a mystery to me because what
appears to be the date is up-side-down from the typical coins I am
familiar with. Take a look and tell me what you think:

(1) - The right side,

(2) - The left side.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[Alk8944]

About 1964 I passed on a S&W American for less than $50 as I recall, simply because it had a penny as a replacement for the front sight. I thought I would wait for one with the proper sight. It was just an OLD gun and not worth the price on it at that time.

This was at Al Powell's Gun Shop in Trinidad Colorado. This would be familiar to anyone who was a gunsmithing student at Trinidad State Jr. College anytime in the ca 1950s through 1970s.

 

[iby]

I have an antique gun with a V nickel for front sight.
Now I just have to remember what/where it is

 

[desi2358]

Hi There,


Here are pics of the other barrel I have. I mentioned it has what's
left of "Russian Model" under the rust and file marks and is a
third type barrel. The coin used is a mystery to me because what
appears to be the date is up-side-down from the typical coins I am
familiar with. Take a look and tell me what you think:

(1) - The right side,

(2) - The left side.


Cheers!
Webb

Considering what can still be seen I wonder if it isn't a foreign coin. Should look through some of my coin books to see if anything shows a number layout like this.

As to the original question I have owned a few old guns with coins as front sights, usually a penny or dime. Don't have them any more as I have been guilty of being a chronic trader over the years, always finding something else I wanted more. I have also installed a cut down coin in a couple old guns but they weren't S&W. A couple replaced missing blades on rifles and a muzzle loading pistol as well as an Iver Johnson. ......... I had one but it wasn't a coin on an S&W Model Third issue I recently sold. It had a piece of what looked like a celluloid collar button as the front sight.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have read a number of Sharps shooters to say they like a penny for a front sight blade because it rubs up into a bright sight picture for hunting. An Indian Head penny is preferred.

 

[Green Frog]

As a former coin collector, I cringe when I think of destroying any old coin. As a shooter of old guns, I love! it. Does this make me bipolar?
Froggie

 

[TXBryan]

My grandfather was too cheap to use a coin as a front sight replacement on a Steven Favorite I shot as a kid. It had a portion of a common washer as a front blade.

 

[kwill1911]

Not a S&W, but I once had a Colt M1917 cut down and used a buffalo nickel for the front sight.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


I figured the front sight on the second barrel was probably made
from a foreign coin but a lack resources to research it. The date
looks to be 1909 and that will narrow the search. The only other
possibility I can think of is that the "coin" may be a token or
commemorative coin of some kind. I don't know what it is made
of but it is made of some kind of "white" metal. Probably silver
or nickel or some alloy containing nickel or silver. I don't know.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[raljr1]

My first 32 RP target had a dime for a front sight...I swapped it for a proper one, give to me by a fellow forum member.

 

[CajunBass]

I once bought a little Harrington and Richardson 22, I forget what model now, one of the really cheap ones, but it was missing the front sight. I cut a penny (common one) and epoxied it in place. Worked just fine. When I sold the gun some time later, the fellow who bought it said the only reason he bought it was was "penny sight." His wife had seen the picture in the add, and wanted it.

 

[Drm50]

I’ve used a dime to make several front sights, also brass keys.

 

[Green Frog]

My first 32 RP target had a dime for a front sight...I swapped it for a proper one, give to me by a fellow forum member.

View attachment 704635

The only feature I dislike about my RPT is its factory Patridge front sight! I just can’t see that *@#* thing for nothin’! Maybe that shiny dime would show up better and I could hit something with it!
Froggie

 

[Levallois]

First model Schofield found in a burned down house in New Mexico and so the only relic Schofield I have ever seen. All original except the grips and possibly front sight. I think that the front sight is a coin but it’s so badly worn that I cannot determine which coin. Any guesses? Thanks!

 

[Levallois]

Not a S&W, but I once had a Colt M1917 cut down and used a buffalo nickel for the front sight.

Kevin, that cut down Colt is cool as hell!