[1aspenhill]

This example of a pre war 5" Heavy Duty, 37863, with service grips and a non factory cut front sight was shipped to William "Western" Hoegee Company, Los Angeles, CA on 20 May 1931. I purchased this from a Rock Island Auction several years ago.

Enjoy,
Bill

 

[ladder13]

Wanna trade for my pre war re-blue? :lol:

That's a beauty.

 

[Gizamo]

What can you tell about the front sight? Looks modified to me. Does it catch the light better?

Giz

 

[1aspenhill]

Giz,
It is like a ramp and the way they cut it, the top piece is like a post. They didn't even reblue it after they cut it.
Bill

 

[xtimberman]

I saw a Wolf and Klar 5" .44 at a recent FT. Worth gun show with that very same front sight mod. Likewise, it had not been reblued, but time had darkened the steel to a deep gray color. It must've been a fairly common alteration.

xtm

 

[1aspenhill]

I've seen another variation where they serrate and ramp the front half of the sight which I think the factory did.
Bill

 

[xtimberman]

Factory or not, I consider it a worthy and practical improvement!

xtm

 

[jimg11]

My less than pristeen 38/44 prewar also has a simular front sight modification also. I like the way it looks and shoots. It also left the factory in 1931.

 

[1aspenhill]

Here are some other front sights found on Heavy Duties:

 

[bmcgilvray]

Originality aside, the front sight on your No. 37863 is quite appealing and looks like something Smith & Wesson should have adopted even if they didn't. Great revolver!

 

[xtimberman]

Originality aside, the front sight on your No. 37863 is quite appealing and looks like something Smith & Wesson should have adopted even if they didn't. Great revolver!

Yes, indeed! Nearly all of the front sight modifications shown above are superior to the original half-moon.

xtm