usajon
.30 Stingray
Posts: 326
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Post by usajon on Nov 2, 2012 21:10:09 GMT -5
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Post by leftysrh on Nov 2, 2012 21:12:13 GMT -5
I have been told it is to add alittle weight to the muzzle to aid in recoil control.
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Post by wildwillalaska on Nov 2, 2012 22:41:55 GMT -5
It's sexy!!! Looks cool!!!
I am uncertain of the reasons behind the overly large rifle-like front sights though. I love Bowens Nimrod model but wish the front sight was not so overly chunky.
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Post by bushog on Nov 3, 2012 0:49:26 GMT -5
Why not? I like 'em!
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Post by boxhead on Nov 3, 2012 5:49:47 GMT -5
On the typical installation, they take away the shear load from the ERH screw.
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Post by kaytod on Nov 3, 2012 6:55:41 GMT -5
On the typical installation, they take away the shear load from the ERH screw. That was the initial reason. |
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Post by 2 Dogs on Nov 3, 2012 8:00:42 GMT -5
Who did it first?
That would be hard to say. Some of the sixguns in Keiths Sixguns have barrel bands. That tells us they go back awhile....
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Post by jayhawker on Nov 3, 2012 9:41:08 GMT -5
Elmer Keith's custom SA's were first I know of, definitely among the first. Note the band was part of the front sight. It was an attempt to get a superior front sight and they used rifle front sights. Originally nothing to do with retaining the ejector housing. While it does do that on the high recoiling current guns, it is mostly cosmetic.
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Otony
.327 Meteor
Posts: 722
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Post by Otony on Nov 3, 2012 10:54:35 GMT -5
Elmer Keith's custom SA's were first I know of, definitely among the first. Note the band was part of the front sight. It was an attempt to get a superior front sight and they used rifle front sights. Originally nothing to do with retaining the ejector housing. While it does do that on the high recoiling current guns, it is mostly cosmetic. ^ This is correct. If you look at some of the other guns Keith used or owned, you will see the band on longer barreled revolvers, where it does not contact the ERH whatsoever. That being written, over time (and quite likely then as well) it has become an accepted means of preventing the ERH from flying off, and more importantly, it has become a styling exercise that denotes "custom" or "big bore" to the aficionado. |
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Post by boxhead on Nov 3, 2012 15:46:33 GMT -5
Certainly way back when Elmer was playing the need for the band was likely more cosmetic or would allow a dovetailed front sight, nothing more. After all, he was toying with less than 44 Mag stuff. When the boomers arrived it was a good design practice as a method to retain the ERH it seems.
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,565
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Post by Fowler on Nov 3, 2012 17:29:14 GMT -5
I know that when Croft came out to visit Keith that first time he had 4 custom 45 colts with him numbered #1-#4, I have seen photos of 2 of them and they both had barrel bands on them. I think it allowed them to replace the front sights for added strength back then.
From what I have read it appears Kieth's #5 in fact has a entirely sleeved barrel giving it that step in the end of the barrel. The theory was it supported the front sight base better as it is a pretty delicate front sight the the height adjustments being housed in the front sight with small screw holding it together...
I know John Linebaugh started to put them on his big custom revolvers because at first he was using front sight barrel bands from Ruger #1 rifles and in time he continued, as others stated, to help support the ejector rod and because it was a style signature that said that gun was custom...
I like the looks of them for sure...
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