Hi folks,
I am new to this forum and I have some questions about a Model 629-2 F that I have just aquired. The serial # is BEE 505X . I've never seen a model number followed by a letter. Is that normal? The gun has a 6" short shrouded barrell and an unfluted cylinder. It is fitted with Hogue rubber grips with the silver S&W emblems. I have looked in the "Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson" 3rd edition,and it doesn't cover the BEE prefix. The BED prefix was made in 1989. I am going to attach a photo if I can so as to make my explanation clearer. Any help you can give me on DOB, collector material etc. would be greatly appreciated. I'm not going to shoot it until I know something.
Thanks, SOUPY in Tennessee

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Could the F be a not very well stamped 'E'?
If so it would indicate the gun has the endurance enhancements on it.

Welcome to the forum.

__________________
Lynnie, Professional Pest

I also suspect a poorly struck 2-E that looks like a 2-F. The unfluted cylinder with that barrel length is an oddity. The silver-medallion Hogues are usually found on certain N-frame Classics circa 1993. You may want to remove them and see if this is a round butt frame. That would add some more to the mystery. Unless the gun is as new with the original box, I would not be too concerned about shooting it. These things were not designed to be paperweights.

You both may be right. The vertical line on the letter is short and it may be as you say--missing the bottom horizontal line. The gun does have a round butt. Have you ever run up on a BEE prefix before?
Thanks for your time, SOUPY