Philosopher Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 I've got a nice old S&W Double Action top break in .32 S&W that I purchased to use in pocket pistol side matches. It's very clean mechanically, and the blue isn't bad either. The gun is in serial number range 278XXX, so I believe this is a late fourth model. The revolver is missing a front sight blade. It might have broken off, or the barrel or at least the top rib may have been shortened. The top rib lacks a cross pin to secure the front sight blade, which a fourth model should have. There's signs on the top rib that some type of front sight was once installed , whether it was the original blade or a subsequent replacement that fell off I have no idea. The barrel measures 2.15". Now I don't NEED a front sight for the short ranges this revolver will be shot at, but I was thinking it might be neat to make a new front sight out of a silver 1892 Mexican 5 centavo coin that I have. My question is what would be the best way to secure the piece of silver coin to the barrel? Solder? Mill a new slot in the top rib and drill a new hole for a cross pin? Or quit being obsessive and leave the poor thing alone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 Source a nice "solid silver" non collector Dime and cut to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Dacious Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 18 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said: Source a nice "solid silver" non collector Dime and cut to fit. that's what mine has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philosopher Posted October 19, 2020 Author Share Posted October 19, 2020 Are those silver sights soldered on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Dacious Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 Mill a new slot in the top rib and drill a new hole for a cross pin has my vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waxahachie Kid #17017 L Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 A friend of mine took a solid silver dime, and his revolver, to his gunsmith, and had him do it, since he did not have the tools, the know-how, or the time, to tackle it himself. it looks great. Looks like, from the posts above, that some of the other Pards have used a silver dime as well. Yer a daisy if ya do... W.K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol Number4 Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 I worked in an old gun shop back a loong time ago, The remedy was just what folks are telling: you get a silver dime and fit it. Ol' #4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philosopher Posted October 21, 2020 Author Share Posted October 21, 2020 Silver dime it is! How hard will it be to get a slot milled into the barrel rib and a hole for the cross pin drilled? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner, SASS #1940 Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Leave it be. That barrel has been shortened at some point in its life (IMO). There is no slot to mount the sight. Shoot in and enjoy it for what it is, a perfect pocket pistol!! On my .38 SA, I had no sight, but the slot and pinhole were there. We polished up a washer of the correct thickness, and my father-in-law cut it down to size. Looks great and has seen many CAS side matches and a few main stages. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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