Installing a sight on a cut down SAA

[Roscoe Coles]

I just got an original Colt SAA (1883 frontier six shooter) that has been cut down (badly).  The barrel is cut about 5 inches long and at a slight angle.  I am going to cut it back to 4 3/4 and give it a proper crown on the lathe.  The rest of the gun is in good shape and I would like to get it back on the range.  This will require the installation of a front sight.  My preliminary plan is to cut a notch in the barrel of the appropriate size, fit a sight and solder it in with a low temp silver solder (500 degrees or so).  Can anyone tell me how Colt installed them originally?  I have heard that they may have been swagged in but, I don't know. Has anyone done this job?

[Montana Slim]

If memory serves me....contemporary Colt front sights are soldered into a slot in the barrel, simialr to your plans.

Slim

[Roscoe Coles]

It seemed like the most straight forward way to go about it.  Just wanted to check to see if there was a better, more historically accurate way.

[St. George]

Try asking Dave Lanara - www.davelanaracolts.com - the front sight will be taller and tapered.

Or read 'Gunsmithing the Guns of ther Old West' by Dave Chicoine.

Goos Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!