Question about Heavy Duty front sight

[Whisper]

A question for the Heavy Duty experts out there:

I have a chance to buy a 4-inch Heavy Duty that from the serial number appears to be a 1948 shipment. My understanding is that the front sight on this gun should be a half-moon profile. However, this gun has a bevel on the rear of the front sight, so that it looks similar to the front sight on a pencil-barrel Model 10 (see photo).

There's no way this could be a factory front sight, is there? Somebody filed a bevel on the front sight? It's well done, so if it's not factory, it's an aftermarket job by a gunsmith, or else Bubba had a lot of experience using a file.

Thanks,
Whisper

 

[22hipower]

I'm no expert on these but I think all the HDs had half moon sights. Someone will be along shortly who knows for sure but I'd guess yours was modified after leaving the factory. I've seen comparable modifications before on M&Ps. Heres the front sight on my 1946 HD.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[StrawHat]

Personally, since I was a competitive shooter, I appreciate altered sights. It shows me the firearm was actually used and appreciated. My HD does not have altered sights but I certainly have several 45 Hand Ejectors with sights altered by the owners.

Kevin

 

[1Aspenhill]

It's not factory.