twaits
Member
Just curious. More specifically what is the earliest year a ramped front sight would have been seen on a 38 Regulation Police?
What year did S&W start making ramped front sights?
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Currently my .38 Chiefs Special s/n 2928 is the first known with the smooth ramp front sight. It shipped in February 1952.
Although it's a J-frame and the .38 Regulation Police of that era is an I-frame, I'm guessing S&W made the sight change about the same time.
Others will be along with specifics. I hope Hondo44 sees your thread and replies.
Although it's a J-frame and the .38 Regulation Police of that era is an I-frame, I'm guessing S&W made the sight change about the same time.
Others will be along with specifics. I hope Hondo44 sees your thread and replies.
I have a couple of K22s that shipped in July and October of 1947 and they both have the ramped front sight.
My .38 RP shipped 4-53 and it is still an improved I-frame, with the round front sight, rebated frame and small trigger guard. I would think the ramp sight on a RP, came in at the same time as the ribbed barrel, and long trigger guard and j-frame size stocks.
Modified
Member
Not exactly answering your question, but the first that comes to my mind is the option on Registered Magnums.
Could you show photos of those? I have some early Masterpiece revolvers and none have ramped sights.
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Were all of those sights made by King?
Modified
Member
I don't get a lot of sleep these days because my toddler wakes up early and my baby goes to bed late. But if I remember my history on them correctly; no, they were made by S&W at the behest of Frank Baughman of the FBI.
That's not to say they didn't farm them out to King as was done a lot in those days. As I have yet to actually own a proper Baughman Ramp sighted Reg Mag (only managed to acquire 3 before my gun buying days took a pause due to aforementioned children), I can't tell you if they have King stamped on them.
I would bet someone on this here forum can answer the question with certainty.
I don't know (or remember anyway) when the first Baughman ramps appeared but probably not long before this one which was special ordered in August of 1939, oddly enough for an 8 inch Registered Magnum. . . .perhaps the only one shipped on an 8 inch Reg Mag (only 23 8 inch Reg Mags). As to when they appeared on a Regulation Police I have no idea but someone here probably will.
And while they are indeed called Baughman QD ramps it was actually someone else who designed them although Baughman got the credit. There was a post here recently discussing how the first ones were developed.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2nsZQsy https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
And while they are indeed called Baughman QD ramps it was actually someone else who designed them although Baughman got the credit. There was a post here recently discussing how the first ones were developed.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2nsZQsy https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
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gkitch
Member
The first three Baughman Ramp sights were shipped to A couple of prominent FBI agents on their Registered Magnums.
The First One, I believe, went to Frank Baughman.
The next two went to Walter Walsh in 1936 if memory serves.
I'll take some pictures of Gun #3 and post them....
The First One, I believe, went to Frank Baughman.
The next two went to Walter Walsh in 1936 if memory serves.
I'll take some pictures of Gun #3 and post them....
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