A question about pins holding the front sight base on a three and a half inch five screw pre model 27. Every 44HE frame gun I have seen from this era had these pins blended into the side of the rail on the top of the barrel. I am looking at a beautiful 3.5" 5scrw pre 27 now and the rounded ends of the pins protrude. The barrel is numbered to the gun as is the cylinder. The Smith & Wesson logo appears to be - correct me if I am wrong - in the right position on the barrel with the "m" over the detent pin. Any ideas about this? Don't want to pay full price for a cut down bbl. No Jinks letter and w/o a letter, not inclined to buy, but the gun looks just great. Anyone else seen this before?
Front Sight Base Pins on 3.5" 5-screw Pre 27
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Roy Jinks was asked the question about when did S&W change from domed pins to flat flush pins. He said the 1950's. In other words you'll see both thru out that decade. It was a long transition period and there's no specific change date that can be established.
That gun looks righteous.
That gun looks righteous.
Saw that one on the auction site this week. I love both proud and blended pins, but that's the first one I have seen where the pins weren't level on the barrel. That would drive me nuts. Might have been a Monday morning job at the factory?
The rest of the markings look like a legit 3.5" to me.
The rest of the markings look like a legit 3.5" to me.
For some reason, I kinda like the proud pins! Also, like anything N frame .357, it seems!! Well, up until the lock!
I never noticed that there are variations on the front sight pins before. Strange, because I've looked at so many! Must be getting old I suppose. From what I can see, the one you're considering looks to be in mighty fine shape.
I have a 5" pre-27 that shipped in June of 55 and the 3.5" shown below that shipped in 1950. The sight pins are not discernible on either (I had to go look by the way). They must be blended version. I don't find the pins objectionable at all, in fact I kinda like them.
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I have a 5" pre-27 that shipped in June of 55 and the 3.5" shown below that shipped in 1950. The sight pins are not discernible on either (I had to go look by the way). They must be blended version. I don't find the pins objectionable at all, in fact I kinda like them.
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
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I wouldn't let that deter me at all....Several of my guns from the early 1950's have the proud pins and are totally correct. Go for it if you want it!
