When Were Adjustable Sights First Offered on Modern Handguns?

[Timthinker]

Adjustable sights on handguns offer shooters improved accuracy over their fixed sight counterparts. But when was this feature first offered on modern handguns? By modern, I refer to centerfire handguns produced after the advent of smokeless gunpowder. I know the Browning Hi-Power pistol offered this option in the 1930s, but I would like the input of our knowledgeable members on this topic. Thanks.


Timthinker

 

[nwilliams]

May not be the earliest but the Inglis Hi Power had adjustable tangent sights on them.

 

[Timthinker]

Nwilliams, thanks for the cool pic. Yes, the BHP in your photo features adjustable sights as well as a shoulder stock. Some BHP models, as well as some Lugers and "Broomhandle" Mausers, were fitted with detachable shoulder stocks to transform them into makeshift carbines. This is why those pistols sported adjustable sights. But I am concerned with handguns that were not intended for use as carbines. I hope this clearification helps. Thanks again for that picture.


Timthinker

 

[KyJim]

I don't have an answer but do know SW offered adjustable sight revolvers earlier than the Hi-Power. Here is a pre-M&P target model I have from the late 1920s.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Geoffrey Boothroyd mentions that British target revolvers in 1900 did not have the screw-adjustable sights of the American target revolvers, due to the rules governing British target shooting at the turn of the century.

So screw adjustable target sights on revolvers have been around quite a while. Interesting question, worthy of more in-depth research.

 

[Jim Watson]

My S&W New Model No 3 Target, ca 1888, has very simple adjustable sights.
The .22-32 Bekeart Model of 1911 had adjustable sights like KyJim shows.

 

[mainmech48]

While I've never been fortunate enough to own (like Mr. Watson) or even handle one I have seen S&W No.3 and even Bisley Colt target revolvers with rudimentarily adjustable sights in museum exhibits. I do have to say that I'm not at all certain that the ones on a particular Bisley were factory supplied. I've seen period photos of Chevalier Ira Paine and others using revolvers so equipped dating from the late 19th century.

 

[Ron James]

In so far as scopes were in use during the great unpleasantness ( the American Civil War ) I would assume that someone thought of adjustable sights long before that. If adjustable sights were in use then, I'm sure they were used on up through the years. So, I would have to say adjustable sights were in use on modern handguns from day one of smokeless powder. I have seen a black powder , single shot percussion type English target pistol with a simple screw type sights, both front and rear.

 

[Timthinker]

Ron, we both agree that adjustable sights are a rudimentary way to improve handgun accuracy. Given this fact, it is not surprising that such an invention would predate cartridge firearms. Still, I wonder what company deserves the credit for first marketing these sights on its smokeless handguns. I hope one of our members can provide an answer. Thanks for your input.


Timthinker

 

[Jim Watson]

What do you mean by "smokeless"?
What do you mean by "adjustable"?

Smokeless powder was not well established on the market and the guns approved for it until about 1900 +/- a bit that I am sure the experts will refine.

Target sights at the time were simply adjustable by drifting in their dovetail. Screw adjustments did not come until a good deal later; click adjustments after that.

 

[BlindJustice]

I saw a early K-frame - 1rst Model Hand EJector in .32-20 on Gunbroker
which stated there were 2400 or so of them made between 1903-1906 and it was one of the few of that run with adjustable sights that aren't much different than the rear adjustable offered today.

I also once handled an N-frame - 2nd Model Hand Ejector that was built
sometime in the 1908-1915 period aka The Triple Lock, .44 Special and it was
also a "Target" model with the rear adjustable sight.

I think the top of the line - pre-WWII N-frame .357 Magnum aka
Registered Magnums had adjustable sights whereas the OUtdoorsman were
fixed sights. ALso I've seen PRe-WWII K-frame .22s Target model with
adjustable sights, S&W certainly may have led in number of models
with Adj. rear sight PRe-WWII.

 

[Timthinker]

Jim, by smokeless powder, I am refering to any of the higher pressure gunpowders used in small arms after the mid-1880s. As you may recall, the French used smokeless powder in their 1886 Lebel rifle which made it the envy of the world at that time. True, there were different types of smokeless powder, but I am not confining this inquiry to any specific type.

The adjustable sights I thought about when beginning this thread were the screw type mentioned in your last post. Is it possible our friend Blindjustice may have identified one of the handguns that fits the profile used in this thread? It is an interesting possibility.


Timthinker

 

[Phil DeGraves]

Colt SAA and Bisley models were available in limited quantities in a "Target Model" configuration with adjustable sights.

 

[Jim Watson]

Elementary adjustable sights were available on black powder guns, such as my S&W and the Colt Flattops mentioned by Phil; and they carried over into the smokeless era. The little S&W single shots are examples of the type.

Colt introduced the Officer's Model Target with screw adjustable sights (windage in the rear, elevation in the front) in 1904 and the New Service Target with similar sights that year or the next. Sounds kind of crude, but they used the type for 35 years and only went to W&E sights on revolvers after WW II; although their target autos had had them for a while.

Blindjustice probably has the first use of screw adjustable sights on a Smith & Wesson in or shortly after 1903. They started with click adjustable sights right before WW II, the S&W .22 Outdoorsman, daddy of the K22, is the best known of the type.

Remington made some Rolling Block target pistols with good sights around 1900.

I don't know about the minor makes. H&R made some pretty decent economy target revolvers with adjustable sights, but they did not come along until after the Colts and Smiths.

Overseas, the 1904 Navy and 1908 "Artillery" Lugers had adjustable sights. I don't know any other continental pistols offhand.

Bisley rules did not allow adjustable sights, so there are few if any early British guns with readily adjustable sights.

 

[Timthinker]

Jim, thanks for the information about the early Colt and S&W target models. I knew Colt used adjustable sights on some pre-World War One revolvers, but I lacked the specifics you provided. Thanks again.


Timthinker

 

[Old Fuff]

Screw adjustble rear sights were available on Smith & Wesson top-break revolvers during the 1880's and possibly earlier. The sights were built into the barrel latch. The first .38 K-frame (1899) was also offered with a screw-adjustable rear sight as an option. Sights of a similar design were used up to the pre-World War Two era. Colt's adjustable sights go back to the so-called "Buntline Special," introduced in 1876. I could go on and on....