Chiefs Special Front Sights

[JH1951]

I am looking at a 2" .38 S&W Chiefs Special (four digit serial number just under 7000). I have not seen it in person, just pictures. It presents well, but a red flag goes up for me on the front sight. My research tells me about the 1/2 moon sights, serrated & non-serrated ramp sights, but I find nothing about what this Chiefs presents.
Please take a brief look and give me your thoughts.... Is this a legitimate variation, or a value killing modification?
Thanks for your insights.

 

[handejector]

Modification......

 

[murphydog]

If the modification is well done and you like it I would consider buying it, at a discount. :)

It is not original and with the blade being integral with the barrel, not easily restored to factory dimensions.

 

[Hondo44]

Value killer on such a nice gun otherwise.

 

[Bob L]

I guess it totally depends on if you are buying for an investment or to shoot. If it was me, it is a good looking model 36 and should be a great shooter so I would grab it if the price was right. I wouldn't allow the sight modification to bother me as it looks to be a nice job and you just might like the change. Good luck with your decision and Happy New Year!

 

[JH1951]

Thank you all for your feedback and input. I was thinking what you confirmed - a modification value killer. I contacted the owner and asked if he was aware of the modification. He was not, but looked up info on the Mod. 36 and now understands what I am talking about. He is going to check to see if there is any documentation on the modification from the factory or other 'known' sources among the paperwork he got with the gun. If not, I'll let him sit on it for a while and think about what it may be worth.
It comes with a box, looks like a 95%+ gun, but for the front site. What do you think the value to be?

 

[Texas Star]

Keep in mind that a gun that old isn't warranted for Plus P ammo. But you could use Buffalo Bore's full power wadcutter load. I bet the sight mod gives a better sight picture. Not everyone buying guns is a collector.

The owner probably made that mod to enhance his chances in a gunfight, with no thought for what collectors would think 50 or more years later.

 

[Walter Rego]

The red Chiefs Special box is worth a couple hundred dollars from what I have observed on ebay over the last few years. If the seller is not taking the value of the box into account that could help offset the loss of value due to the sight modification.
I would say if you can get that package for under $400 you would have a pretty good deal. It would be sad to break up the package and sell the box separately though but on the other hand, the collectability factor is long gone anyway.

 

[murphydog]

Paying $400 would leave me with a guilty conscience - perhaps a little ($100?) higher, but not to the level of an unmodified gun with the box.