Colt .38 Officer's Target....rear sight?

[TennBill]

I've had this pistol for many years. It was abused, and I'm now trying to put it back in decent condition. Problem it's missing the rear sight. This was the windage only sight and I can't find a replacement. If I understood how it worked, I could make one myself......I think. I'm not sure how it fits in the dovetail and is moved by the side (frame) screw. Neither do know what the top screw does. Pic of one I found on the web. Any help, or advice? Thanks, Bill

[Abe Anglin]

call up Slide & Cylinder and/or Kings Custom Gunworks and ask them to scrounge through their old parts bins ...

both of these places have offered aftermarket replacement sights for this model in the past and should (hopefully) have some original take-offs lying around.

[A1A]

Numrich has them, but their site seems to be down or slow tight now so I can't give you a direct reference. They are listed under Official Police.

[TennBill]

Thanks Searcher.....guess there's a reason for the 'handle'. Thought I had searched their site but missed that. While they don't show a picture, I ordered one with the windage screw. The parts seem correct! I'll post when I get them. Bill

[A1A]

Glad you found them OK. Official Police Target Model, really.

Rear Sight, Wide Notch (.125'' Wide)

[TennBill]

Got this rear sight, adjusting (windage) screw, and lock screw today from Numrich. The adjusting screw appears to be correct but the sight is too small. The top of the dovetail opening measures .45". The bottom of the dovetail is .53. I think this is an 'I' frame...at least the Pach'r grips say for large frame I. Anyone have a clue what is needed or a correct picture? I can probably machine something if I know what the original looked like.

[A1A]

Somehow I glossed right over that the original picture was not of your gun. Wish I had seen your gun initially. It looks like an Officers Model Special frame although you said Target. The Officers Model Special (1949-1952) used a Coltmaster sight, adjustable for both windage and elevation and mounting in the larger dovetail as you show. Parts are generally not available. They pop up on eBay once in a while. Perhaps one of the members has one to sell. How about a few more pictures, what is your barrel rollmarked and what is the serial? The OMS was the only OM with a bull barrel. Perhaps someone put an OMT barrel on an OMS frame? It is BTW an E frame, the main difference being the hammer mounted firing pin. The officers models were, however, flattops to accommodate the adjustable sights. If you decide you have no future use for the new sight parts, I would buy them. Here are pictures of an OMS.

[TennBill]

Thanks for clearing that up! My fault for not showing mine.....I got tired searching the web before I wound up here. And, yes, it's been re-barreled. The picture makes sense. Possible you could post a top down of the sight? Doing a search on 'Coltmaster', looks like a lot of folks were looking for one over the years. I'll spend some time searching but think with some more views, I could make a good copy. The gun certainly isn't pristine, only a bit of the original blue, but it has value to me! Here's a pic of my latest almost completed scratch build (except the mag and barrel), in the process of testing loads. If you PM your address, I'll send you the parts. Don't know if the windage screw is the same or not, but I can measure and machine one.

[Winchester 88]

Yes, looks like the Coltmaster sight on my 1951 Officer's Model Special. See my 9/11 post regarding loose sight. Forgive my hijacking of this thread, any thoughts as to why my sight is loose?

[A1A]

If I could machine like that, I would never have to buy parts. Well, maybe just to model from. First, hang onto the screw just in case although I believe the head may be larger. When you get it resolved, I will buy for spares whatever you didn't need if you wish. Only fair since I pointed you that way. In this referenced thread there is a comment about some pieces from Bob Rayburn and a reference to another possible source. Of course I can't say whether either is currently a good chance although it was just last year. Match Target Rear Sight Help - Pictures Added .

There are some pictures in this thread. Older rear sight please ID .

I believe Colt38 is still around. Perhaps he could identify the replacement sight. Officers Model Special question (photos added)
OK, I believe it is a Micro, which also pop up from time to time, but not a lot. 1950 Colt OMS

Ouch. We just missed this one, but interesting pictures. Perhaps db has more. Coltmaster target rear sight for Match Target Woodsman | eBay

To me, a major issue is the re-barreling. Notice the height of the front sight on the OMS barrel on top of the fact that it is a bull barrel. It, of course, is matched to the height of the Coltmaster rear.

Interested to know what you decide/determine.