Take a look at these sights. S&W's?

[GF]

I dug out this old "Series 70" Colt. It has what I beleve to be K frame sights on it.
I got this .45 in a trade years ago and the guy said he had the sights and other 'smithing done by "King" gunworks.
Take a look and tell me what you think.

 

[GF]

I dug out this old "Series 70" Colt. It has what I beleve to be K frame sights on it.
I got this .45 in a trade years ago and the guy said he had the sights and other 'smithing done by "King" gunworks.
Take a look and tell me what you think.

 

[SixWillDo]

Yes, S&W sights installed on a 1911 were fairly popular in the 60s and 70s.

 

[Rigmover]

They look like S&W N frame rear sights because of the white outline.

 

[LMLarsen]

White outline sights were used on both N and K frame Smiths in that timeframe, but I agree that this may be a Kings job. Only way to tell would be to contact Kings with the serial number and ask...

 

[mkk41]

Originally posted by LMLarsen:
White outline sights were used on both N and K frame Smiths in that timeframe, but I agree that this may be a Kings job. Only way to tell would be to contact Kings with the serial number and ask...

Kings usually put their 'crown' trademark on their guns. But yes , this was a popular thing before all many adjustable sights were on the market

 

[GF]

You can't see it in the pictures very well, but there is what may be a "crown" in the front sight.
Hell of a thing to do to an old Colt but it wasn't an old Colt when it was done!

A belt clip and a Pachmayer grip, my ol' tradin' buddy was a player back in the day.

 

[pred]

Love those old 1911s
I dont have a Cot with a Smith sight on it yet!
Peter

 

[M29since14]

Hell of a thing to do to an old Colt but it wasn't an old Colt when it was done!

I have a couple like that from Kings.

The old guard there is gone now, so it is not going to help to call and ask.

It looks like it has a King's safety lock, but of course those could be mail ordered by anyone. The installation does look like their work (including the front sight) but there were several guys doing that type of thing back then, some of them having left the Kings shop and branched out on their own.

Looks like a nice old gun - that could use a good refinishing.

 

[lev83]

Nice looking 1911. I have considered having Kings fit one of those to several commanders I have owned. Really classy looking.

 

[tipoc]

A common modification back in the day and done by many smiths.

tipoc

 

[JayCeeNC]

I installed a set of S&W sights on an old 1911 in high school metal shop class in about 1969.
Imagine trying to take a 1911 to school today!

 

[tom turner]

I think those '60s era 1911s with the Smith sights are classy . . . in the same way that "old school" 32 Ford roadster hotrods of the 50's are.

And who can fault the S&W revolver sights!!!

Cool find!

T.

 

[bronco45]

I had a Gunsmith named Redmond install a Smith K frame on a Brng Hi Power back in 74. Very common customization project, back then befor everyone started making parts for Autos. Back when Cops and civilians carried wheelguns.

 

[Landpimp]

Browning HP with S&W revolver sights, dont know who did the work, my guess was it was back in the 80's sometime

when I got it I knew the sights were not OEM...but I was stumped on what they were.....knew I had seen them MANY times before...then noticed glanced down at a Model 19......DOH!

 

[Guest]

I have a Walther PPK/s in .22LR that has been fitted with a set of "J" frame sights. I really like it and they are certainly much better than the original. I have no idea who did the work but this one was very well done.

 

[blairgarber]

That colt is a beauty, and with the S&W sights strictly Old School. I have a 6 inch pin gun set up the same way. I don't know who built it but it's scary accurate. I even had Jim Hoag fit a beavertail safety to it in the early eighties while I was traveling to the west coast for work. My gun is a "parts gun" and was built on an essex frame with a clark barrel. Sometimes I think I should have it refinished, but the stippling on the front strap is so ugly – what's the point? Besides it's fun to take it to a match and out-shoot some of the new snot slick custom guns with my butt ugly parts gun (that shoots like a freakin house-a-fire!).

/b

 

[Guest]

Most guns; butt ugly or otherwise will out shoot their "Truly Butt Ugly" owners!!!

 

[S.B.]

I agree, they look to be definately S&W sights, and this was a popular modification back in the day but, was known to shear the front screw off during the recoil cycle. A. Swenson used a hardened screw to rectify the problem, on his custom guns. For the life of me, I don't know why this was not carried on in todays custom guns?
blairgarber, post a picture of this gun here and maybe someone can give some info on the gunsmith?

 

[Wesprt]

Swenson liked those

 

[tipoc]

Hardened screws are needed with these. Often the original K frame screw was used. I've found that these screws are a bit delicate for the job.

tipoc