Special Front Sights (Plus a Couple of M&P Targets)

[red9]

Two .38 M&P target revolver with special order (or at least uncommon) front sights. The first, from 1910, has a Sheard brass bead sight. The second, from 1929, has a Call gold bead in a standard Patridge blade. Question - why is the Call gold (or brass or stainless) bead so scarce on the 1930s .38 target when it was standard on the .22 Outdoorsman?

Bob

 

[SS336]

I can't answer your question, but that is sure a very nice brace of target S&Ws.

 

[handejector]

Question - why is the Call gold (or brass or stainless) bead so scarce on the 1930s .38 target when it was standard on the .22 Outdoorsman?

Because the 22 was likely to be used for plinking in a variety of light conditions where the gold or stainless bead could be useful.
The 38 Target was more likely to be used for Bullseye where the range would be well lit and the black Patridge could be more precisely aligned against the lighter Target with a 6 O'clock hold.
Just my opin- YMMV.

 

[glowe]

The Patridge sights fitted with gold, not brass, or ivory flat bead from 1925 to 1942, was designed by Charlie Call. I do not believe that either the Call or Sheard sights were all that scarce. I have a few of both. Starting in 1937 until WWII, there was also a McGivern exposed gold bead front sight. I would tend to think that sight would be pretty scarce since it was only available for a few years.

According to Bob Neals study on S&W sights, the Sheard sight was gold and ran from 1931 to 1942. I also have those Sheard front sights on a couple guns from the 1910s. Of course, those front sights could have been changed out at any time by the owners. They would have been on hardware store shelves by the 1920s & 1930s or available mail order. There were probably over a dozen front sight blades available on guns before WWII and most target revolvers ended up going to hardware stores, so standard sights would have probably been put on those guns.

I think that the majority of front sights were either thin front sights or plain Patridge ones. Plain Patridge ran from 1900 t0 1942. Thin blades ran in the same era as the Patridge. The plain thin sight had rounded corners, allowing it to go into and come out of a holster easily, but the Call, Patridge, and Sheard might not have been the best choice for a holster gun.

 

[rct269]

The Patridge sights fitted with gold, not brass, or ivory flat bead from 1925 to 1942, was designed by Charlie Call. I do not believe that either the Call or Sheard sights were all that scarce. I have a few of both. Starting in 1937 until WWII, there was also a McGivern exposed gold bead front sight. I would tend to think that sight would be pretty scarce since it was only available for a few years.

According to Bob Neals study on S&W sights, the Sheard sight was gold and ran from 1931 to 1942. I also have those Sheard front sights on a couple guns from the 1910s. Of course, those front sights could have been changed out at any time by the owners. They would have been on hardware store shelves by the 1920s & 1930s or available mail order. There were probably over a dozen front sight blades available on guns before WWII and most target revolvers ended up going to hardware stores, so standard sights would have probably been put on those guns.

I think that the majority of front sights were either thin front sights or plain Patridge ones. Plain Patridge ran from 1900 t0 1942. Thin blades ran in the same era as the Patridge. The plain thin sight had rounded corners, allowing it to go into and come out of a holster easily, but the Call, Patridge, and Sheard might not have been the best choice for a holster gun.

I think you're right----about the McGivern sight!! (The best of the best!!) I've seen pictures of them---nothing in real life---after 70+ years, and maybe 200 target guns during that span. I decided they were really made from unobtainium!

Ralph Tremaine

And speaking of odd-ball sights, the last M&P Target to come to live here had (and lettered with) a Marble Ivory Bead front---pretty spiffy combination!

 

[red9]

Incidentally, the auction at which I bought these also had a .38 M&P with a McGivern bead and a pre-war .38 Outdoorsman with a Call ivory bead, the first I ever even heard of. Unfortunately, I was broke by then. I hope they were bought by someone here who will post them.
Bob

 

[glowe]

I've seen pictures of them---nothing in real life . . .

Ralph Tremaine

Comparing the McGivern sight to the Call sight, differences are readily apparent. This McGivern sight was lettered to my 38 Target that was shipped to Ed directly.