.44 HE 3rd Model- Modification Date?

[Hawg Rider]

My .44 HE 3rd Model (W&K, delivered 1927) has posted in the past, and unfortunately it was modified and re-nickeled sometime "back in the day". I'm trying to determine when the previous owner might have had this barrel modification performed. The half-moon front sight was removed, and a checkered barrel rib with Baughman-style sight was installed. From the SCSA 4th Ed., I see that checkered barrel ribs were standard as early as 1935 (Registered Magnums), but I don't believe that the Baughman sight was around that early. It looks to me like the modification done to my .44 HE may have used a rib/sight from around 1950 or so. Any thoughts?

 

[murphydog]

I'm sure someone had ramp-style front sights prior to the 1950s, so unless there are some identifying marks on the barrel rib (or someone here recognizes the part or work) I suspect dating the modification will not be possible. Close-up photos of the top of the rib may help.

Whomever did the work, however, did a really nice job! Kind of like a .44 Special model 520. Enjoy!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The Baughman Ramp front sight was introduced when he special ordered his registered magnum with the sight he designed. Also, the King Gunsight Company already had a ramped base for a variety of its front sight blades when the registered magnum began production. I'm too lazy to look up whether they offered a ramp blade at the time or not.

 

[rct269]

Interestingly enough, the order for the first "quick draw" ramp front sight was dated December 30, 1935---from I.E. Nitschke of Chicago----on a 3 1/2" RM. Frank Baughman's order (also for a 3 1/2" gun) came along dated August 4, 1936----and Nitschke's drawing of his sight was A LOT better than Baughman's---never mind the concept proffered by both was essentially identical.

I reckon they decided Baughman was easier to pronounce----it's for sure easier to spell!

Ralph Tremaine

Some more trivia----both were ordered sighted in at 25 yards with Magnum ammo (with a 6 0'clock hold)----both called for Magna stocks---Nitschke's registration number was 755, Baughman's was 1345. Maybe they were cousins.

 

[A10]

I'm gonna say its a rebarrel using a postwar barrel too, depending on more pictures. Just a guess. Need some right side pics, one with the cylinder open, and inside the ejector shroud....

 

[Hawg Rider]

Numbers Match

A10- all the numbers match on this revolver, and the parts have the "N" for nickel in the appropriate spots. It does appear to me that the rib was later added to the original barrel...a good job but not the greatest. Unfortunately, I cannot take any more pics right now as my .44 HE is at Ford's for a little internal tuning.

 

[Muley Gil]

I'm gonna say its a rebarrel using a postwar barrel too, depending on more pictures. Just a guess. Need some right side pics, one with the cylinder open, and inside the ejector shroud....

I have owned one prewar .44 Special with that same barrel profile and have seen a number of them that were very similar here on the Forum. All were after market additions.