After a little more research... the front sight is supposed to be higher, almost triangular. See the photo in post #2 at https://www.smithandwessonforums.com...le-sights.html and compare to the more rounded profile in my photo at the top of this thread.
Some idiot ground it down. They did a nice job of it and I had to put a magnifier on it to be sure... but the front transition is uneven, it's been ground.
Well, let's hope those 110's I loaded the other night, plus a bit of grit cleaned out from under the rear sight, get it closer. If not maybe it does get magnas and go in the safe to look pretty. That would be a shame, because other than POI it's accurate and fun to shoot.