Help needed with S&W Pre-27 front sight

[T112-4]

The gun is for sale. Listed as S&W pre 27 3 1/2 in. S/N 124xxx, from 1954. I need your thoughts on the front sight area. Two things caught my eye, the very poor fit of the front sight to the rib also a small nick that does not show well in the picture on outside edge of the crown. Crown looks a little flat.
I have a felling this 27 may have had barrel shortened or the nick in crown was bigger and was filed flat.
Thanks for your time and any observations. Sorry but they are pictures of pictures.

 

[Cotis]

Difficult to see the crown nick, but definitely agree with you on the poor front sight base fitment. Trust your gut…

 

[spin132]

Hard for me to offer an opinion as to whether or not barrel was cut due to angle of your photo. The distance between end of roll mark and crown is usually telling. Here is a pic of proper relationship. I have seen these with both proud and polished sight pins. The one pictured below shipped in 1950, so similar vintage. For some reason front sight corrosion was a problem on some during this era. Maybe that one has a little corrosion making it appear like poor fitment?

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[Nightowl]

The muzzle looks like it has reamed from the flat area shown. The red ramp does not appear to me to be the way the factory did it and the pins holding the front sight look larger than on mine. That being said the one photo at that angle can be deceiving. I'd guess some corrosion under the front ramp. Usually that line is hard to see. More photos might be helpful.

 

[wetdog]

Ask to see under the stocks for a return date to the factory. Could be a front sight rash repair if it was sent back.

 

[handejector]

I need a better pic to tell if the barrel was cut. I just can't say with that fuzzy pic at that angle.
A very likely scenario is that the ramp and blade were replaced to obtain the red insert.

 

[Truckman]

The flat muzzle looks exactly like a 29-2 I checked out at the Brazoria gun show last weekend...The seller disavowed any knowledge of it, but my theory was it had been dropped hard on its muzzle and machined back to remove the damage...He had a dial caliper and measured the barrel length which came to .0150 short of 4" (meaning nothing with S&W tolerances)...The stampings on both sides were centered...He offered a discount, but I declined......Ben

EDIT: Also, are there any markings inside the ejector rod housing on the gun in question?...

 

[The Kid]

I’ve cut a couple and reused the front ramp. The all ended up looking like yours, the ramp just doesn’t quite fit the rib. My theory is that they were polished together after fitting at the factory and when moved they don’t quite fit because the ribs are not completely straight and square after polishing plus they’re tapered slightly.

 

[SAFireman]

To my eye, it looks like a replacement sight. The pins look flattened, and the sight base is wider than the barrel rib.

I don't see enough detail in the photo to tell if the barrel was cut or re-profiled.

 

[steelslaver]

Everyone talks about factory muzzles. I have cut a few barrels and before doing so I studied a bunch of S&W muzzles. I have several of every thing from 22a to 45s and a bunch of spare barrels. One thing I can say with confidence is there isn't a lot of uniformity in the muzzle crowns

Looking at that muzzle doesn't tell me much although the outside portion seems a bit flat. But, the sight red insert isn't right and the one pin with the punch ring on it wasn't done at the factory

 

[Oldengineer]

These two pictures are of S151xxx. A bit later, but an original example.

 

[2152hq]

I don't know about a cut bbl or not,,but the ramp&blade look like they are a replacement from another gun.
It doesn't fit right at all.
Those buggered up assembly pins are a big flashing red light. You just can't ignore them.
The finish on the sides of the ramp look dull polish next to the bbl rib high gloss.
(Is that even a 27 front sight?,,maybe one from a 28..)

The Red Insert looks a little thin, not well fit and mis-shapen to me.
Possibly a kitchen table job.

The entire thing looks like maybe someone wanted the Red Ramp front sight on a gun that orig had a Patridge FS

 

[rct269]

"For some reason front sight corrosion was a problem---------."

The cause of this problem was the finishing was done with the front sight attached to the barrel--------and bluing salts (the corrosive element in the bluing process----also known as "controlled corrosion") got in between the sight base and the barrel rib---and kept right on doing their thing---corroding. This appeared as "sight rash"---a whitish material at the junction of the rib and the sight base--which can be stopped with a liberal dose of CorrosionX. Although I dare say if it hasn't been stopped before this time, the damage is done. (I had one such piece years ago (a .44 H.E. 4th Target), and not knowing anything else to do, I hosed it down with CorrosionX----and it disappeared with no damage done----as in dumb luck!)

My SWAG as respects this gun is it was a victim of the rash---and "fixed"----by other than factory folks----a Bubba. My only justification is it makes at least some sense..

Ralph Tremaine

 

[handejector]

"For some reason front sight corrosion was a problem---------."

The cause of this problem was the finishing was done with the front sight attached to the barrel--------and bluing salts (the corrosive element in the bluing process----also known as "controlled corrosion") got in between the sight base and the barrel rib---and kept right on doing their thing---corroding. This appeared as "sight rash"---a whitish material at the junction of the rib and the sight base--which can be stopped with a liberal dose of CorrosionX. Although I dare say if it hasn't been stopped before this time, the damage is done. (I had one such piece years ago (a .44 H.E. 4th Target), and not knowing anything else to do, I hosed it down with CorrosionX----and it disappeared with no damage done----as in dumb luck!)

My SWAG as respects this gun is it was a victim of the rash---and "fixed"----by other than factory folks----a Bubba. My only justification is it makes at least some sense..

Ralph Tremaine

Ralph,
There is a major problem with your theory-
Carbona Bluing Does NOT use salts of any kind.

 

[diecidecimi]

This issue was discussed here several years ago, about my pre27 pre-27 front sight ramp pitting

 

[flundertaker]

It definetly appears someone wrenched on the front sight pins.

 

[moosedog]

Muzzle doesn't look factory, nor does the sight installation.

 

[T112-4]

It sold for $1576.99 a lot more than I would have spent after getting good information here Thanks again.