This is from a short barreled 1940's N frame I'm thinking about getting. Goes anybody recognize this gunsight? The base looks like it's integral to the barrel. some modification maybe? If modified, can it be restored?
Recognize this gunsight?
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Muley Gil
US Veteran
It is a half moon that has been filed into a Patridge. A good welder can fix it.
OP
Thank you - appreciate the help. There seems to be a pin in that top blade. here's about the clearest view I have of the pin. I'm trying to get a clearer close up from the seller, but I don't think I'll buy it based on the modification.
Muley Gil
US Veteran
Depending on the price and the caliber, it might be a worthwhile project. Your money, not mine.
StrawHat
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I agree with Gil, a modified half moon.
What model is it? What cartridge? From what I can see of the barrel stamp it is either a 38 S&W Special or a 44 S&W Special. The 38 with fixed sights would be the Heavy Duty and short barreled ones are somewhat sought after. The 44 S&W Special has a very large fan base and with a 4” barrel, a near cult like following.
Kevin
What model is it? What cartridge? From what I can see of the barrel stamp it is either a 38 S&W Special or a 44 S&W Special. The 38 with fixed sights would be the Heavy Duty and short barreled ones are somewhat sought after. The 44 S&W Special has a very large fan base and with a 4” barrel, a near cult like following.
Kevin
OP
38/44 heavy duty, 4" barrel. The attraction is it was shipped first month of production in 1946. That cut sight is stopping me cold. If it were a .44 special I would be more motivated. I don't see how it can be reasonably fixed. I'm curious why the pin in the front sight blade?
StrawHat
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The Heavy Duty was introduced in the 30s. I am not sure what is meant by “…first month of production in 1946…"? Perhaps that was when production resumed after WW II?
Without clear images, I can not comment on the "pin". It may just be a reflection.
Here is a modified front sight I found very much to my liking. To me, it represents a modification done by someone who was serious about hitting the target.
The fact that it is on a 45 ACP Model 1950 Army revolver is just icing on the cake.
Kevin
Without clear images, I can not comment on the "pin". It may just be a reflection.
Here is a modified front sight I found very much to my liking. To me, it represents a modification done by someone who was serious about hitting the target.
The fact that it is on a 45 ACP Model 1950 Army revolver is just icing on the cake.
Kevin
OP
Yes, first months of post war production started shipping in the summer of 1946, now referred to as "transitional". I have a first month post war Outdoorsman, August 1946. This one shipped in July. For this gun they are asking top dollar, so I'm trying to find out more about the front sight. It's a very nice looking gun.
How many monies is it? That’s the bottom line for most. It’s not an abomination. It was somewhat common back in the day.
OP
$1300, but it has $500 custom grips on it. It's truly a beautiful gun, nice finish. I would say it's original otherwise. I take it that the half moon integral sight was not loved so many of these were modified.
I appreciate the info. So far I've stuck with original, prime grade guns in my collection. I'm a little uncomfortable venturing into the modified guns. But I admit the sight looks pretty cool when taken into account the overall appearance of the gun.
By the way, you got yourself one heck of a football team!
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Thanks GunRelics , hopefully our coaches don’t hold us back…..I now understand your hesitation. That’s a pretty steep price.
Thats high in my opinion.
By Doc44's count, 411 left through the shipping department door with a 4" barrel of which I only have 3...And before I take my hourly 5 minute break to kneel at the altar in the Temple of 44, who you callin' a cultist, Kevin?...
...Ben
If it walks like a cultist, and quacks like a cultist ……………By Doc44's count, 411 left through the shipping department door with a 4" barrel of which I only have 3...And before I take my hourly 5 minute break to kneel at the altar in the Temple of 44, who you callin' a cultist, Kevin?...
StrawHat
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Ummm… that would be you. Or is it thee?By Doc44's count, 411 left through the shipping department door with a 4" barrel of which I only have 3...And before I take my hourly 5 minute break to kneel at the altar in the Temple of 44, who you callin' a cultist, Kevin?...
Kevin
StrawHat
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So, an altered front sight and no original stocks. Who valued the stocks at $500? If the seller, tell him to keep them and knock $600 off the price.
But, if you are looking for a collector piece, this may not be it.
Kevin
Ummm...Well...And thee makes we...
...BenDesirable revolver. That said, even repaired it will never be original. Repairing the front sight means a re-finish. Use the altered front sight and non-original grips to get price into your happy spot. Personally, a 4" HD with a gold bead front added sounds like an upgrade. Wasn't it Elmer Keith that used to inlay ivory lines into Patridge sights? Like Strawhat pointed out , some sights were improved by modification
Since the front blade has a pin I wonder if someone put a whitex sight on it at some point. That sight had a side screw in roughly the same area.
The modification of the front sight is a HUGE improvement for a serious user. Far easier to see and make good shots than the half moon monstrosity. As noted above, this seems to have been a common enough modification that some significant number of serious users found it to be an improvement.
This modification is not even arguably an abomination. It is praise worthy.
This modification is not even arguably an abomination. It is praise worthy.
