I'm sure there is a thread somewhere that matches early early revolver sights with photographs, but I can't find it. My apologies, but can someone please tell me what the front sights on this 1955 .357 magnum are called? Thanks

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I was just told that those are Patridge sights. I should have known that, but it's late and my brain has gone to sleep.

While searching for an i.d. on them, I was able to find several different front sights on various Model 27 threads, as well as in several S&W books that I own. I found discussions about Patridge sights that had no photos, and photos of Patridge sights that did not have them labeled as 'Patridge'. Do we have a thread somewhere that shows photos of old gun sights, along with their names? Thanks.

From a pre-war 357 Magnum brochure:

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

As a general rule on the 27 lineage barrels 6" and longer have Patridge sights and the 5" and shorter examples have ramps. Except for the uncommon 6.5" length which seems evenly divided between the two sights. I have seen 1 or 2 6" 27s that came with ramps. Either special order or an assembler was feeling saucy that day.

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Your general observations are consistent with what I have seen, with the exception that there are also a significant number of 8.375" barreled 27s with a red ramp as well - a few cases in point. [Edit - I went back and looked at my photos and I'm not sure if I have seen many pre-27 8.375"ers with the ramp front sight...]

27-2:



27 No Dash:



and one more 27 No Dash:



BTW, the ramp is often called a Baughman ramp and it comes either with or without the red insert.

And the general caveat that with all things S&W, there are always exceptions and special orders.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Thanks guys. I could look at photos of old .357s all day (and sometimes do).

6 1/2” 27-2.

5” 27-2.

8 3/8” 27-2.

Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

There was also a Patridge that had a red plastic square on it's face. I have only noticed this sight on the 6 1/2" barrels but there might be other lengths as well.

My 6 1/2" Model 27 is the middle one. One day I need to shoot a picture of just the sight

Top pictured revolver is a 1966 shipped 6" Model 27-2 with Baughman front site blade, yellow insert and proud ramp pins,
below it is a 1968 shipped four inch 19-2 with yellow insert and proud ramp pins .

Great, so now I have to add a nickel finish to my .357 collection list!

RK- other than yours I have never seen an 8" 27 with a ramp.

My 6.5" pre-model not only has the ramp but also original RR/WO.

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Interesting that the OP asked about pre-model 27 sights, and the majority of the pictures are of model 27's or 27 dash something. Anyway, here are pics of two pre-model 27's that show the sights. First is a 6 1/2" and the second is an 8 3/8". Hope this helps to answer the question.

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	Pre 27 8 Inch 01.jpg (46.6 KB, 38 views)

I think the pictures posted came from runscott commenting that he could look at pictures of "old" .357s all day and did not specify pre-27s.

I'm just guessing here though.

Both of my 6.5"er Pre-27s have a red ramp, as does my 1965 27-2 6.5"er.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Is this one two-tone, nickel & blued?

Your photographs are amazing. I've finally got mine cleaned and the service diamond magna grips put on, so I'll be working on a layman's photo today.

Yes it is - often times they are affectionately called "pintos". I'm looking forward to your photos. I too could, and often do stare at photos of old .357 Magnums's for hours at a time... It's part of the sickness.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Well, that pinto is amazing. My first car was a Maverick, which I'm sure cost less than your Pinto.

Here is mine, freshly cleaned except for the fluting issue. I bought the grips on ebay - serial # is only 4357 higher than the gun, also 1955, so how could I not pay the inflated price?

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Here are the grips that came with the gun. I have no idea what the markings mean. They can't be original missing the diamonds, right?

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Scott:

Since we're talking about unique factory sights and pintos came up - here is a combo of the two:

A matching set of factory engraved pre-27 pintos with Blanchard Red Ramp front sights:





The Blanchard red insert was cut a bit different than the insert that became the standard. It was only available for a short time in 1952, but apparently there was some dispute with Mr Blanchard and S&W changed the shape of the red sight insert.

Early printing of the 1952 Catalog (with the Blanchard Sight):



Later printing of the 1952 Catalog (with what became the standard red insert):




An interesting piece of S&W sight history...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Those are incredible. I'm thinking if I could only have one revolver, I'd take the un-engraved pinto with the engraved pinto's grips. And I'd wear gloves.

All these photos are really making me question my collecting direction. I currently only 'need' two more to complete my base collection and begin upgrading. When I get the two I'll do a combined photo and I bet one of you can easily complete the puzzle.