S&W Pre-29 Help

[PALongbow]

Need a little help here. I purchased this S&W Pre-29 last evening from a local shop. I have two questions surrounding this revolver. Did the pre-29's come with factory target sights? The revolver has target sights which resemble the factory sights original to the pre-29. I have another pre-29 that has the red ramp.

Secondly if you look at the Coke grips it looks like the footballs on both side of the grips were modified to accommodate both thumbs while shooting the revolver. Whomever
did this to the grip was pretty smart because the grip is very comfortable to say the least. Could this come original from the factory or modified somewhere over time?
The modification to the grips look flawless as if done by the factory or perhaps very well refinished. The serial number is S173xxxx. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Ron

 

[Doc44]

44 Magnums shipped with a red ramp on a ramp base and a white outline rear sight. Your 44 Magnum has the red ramp replaced with a modified Baughman front sight. In the photo it looks as though the ramp base and blade are set back from the end of the barrel. Factory mounted sights were flush with the end of the barrel on the 44 Magnum. The right stock panel has been modified to add a thumb rest when shooting the revolver left handed. Again, done by an owner after the revolver was shipped by S&W.

Bill

 

[PALongbow]

Thanks for the information, Bill. That's a real bummer. Thought maybe it was factory work and not a modified deal. I assume this devalues the revolver?

 

[Retired W4]

I would say yes, there is some devaluation due to the modified front sight and the modified cokes. I'm sure it is a great shooting 44 Magnum though.

 

[PALongbow]

Any chance the front and rear sight can be replaced with original factory sights? I would leave the cokes alone.

 

[Truckman]

I assume this devalues the revolver?

I see no reason to devalue your gun...It's the same gun to you as it has been since you came into possession of it...Why would it be less to you now?...Its next caretaker may have a differing opinion in which discussion can ensue...Value is much more than just a number......Ben

 

[DARE]

I like your gun. The rear sight blade originally had the white outline. If yours does not, that could be changed by just changing the blade. Pretty sure you could find a white outline blade. Probably could find a red ramp front sight also. If you wanted the gun completely original could find some Cokes. Think they run $500 or so these days. If you are going to keep the grips, I would keep the sights also. No advantage to having it somewhat original IMO.
Here is my 5-screw 4-inch that is original.

 

[Nightowl]

The rear sight has the flat screw head on the right side, so it could be original. The OP did not say whether it was white outline or not, that I could find. It looks like a great shooter, so make it your own as you want.

 

[Muley Gil]

Any chance the front and rear sight can be replaced with original factory sights? I would leave the cokes alone.

The rear sight looks original to me. Does it have a white outline sight blade?