I'm going to look at a 29-2 8 3/8" bbl nickel finish and am told by the LGS when I called about it that it's in real nice shape, very tight and good finish on it, but, it has the previous owners initials engraved in the finish (unknown where, how big, or how bad as yet) probably the side plate. The LGS is asking $650 and would it be worth buying or making an offer on it as a shooter? Any collectors value is probably ruined if it is otherwise in nice shape and I could buy it right I might make an offer. The serial number is N127XXX.

IMO, it will never be a collector item with the initials engraved on it. That is the price one pays if they want to personalize a firearm.

However, any barrel length 29-2 in either finish, even without all the original extras (case, tools, literature, orig grips) and in 95+ condition is an absolute bargain at the price you indicate.

It never hurts to make an offer. I'd try for $100 less but pay the asking price if I had to. If you buy it you'll be amazed what excellent shooters the 8 3/8 inch 29-2s are.... The 4" guns are currently the more popular and that is the reason the long tubes are selling for less. The long tubes offer a wonderful buying opportunity for the aware purchaser today and the popularity of barrel lengths that influences future values changes frequently.....

JMHO

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Terry

I have a 29-2 in 4 inch and a 29-3 Nickel and 29-7 both in 6 inch. I've never owned the 8 3/8" so I thought it might be nice as I understand they shoot very well. Thanks for your input and I agree, as a shooter it would be worth less to me than the $650 asking price. So I will see if they will take less after looking at it.

Or, you could change your name to match the initials..

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

There is that.

Went and checked it out. Nice outside other than the three engraved initials of the previous owner. Obvious it had been shot (a lot) and looks like the endshake had been repaired. Enlarged firing pin hole and the action has been very much worked on, I would be very suspect of the internals and wasn't able to remove the side plate. Bolt slots were okay so it was probably shot a lot single action and the trigger had been reshaped and polished. The serial numbers all matched but not original grips and a box only no presentation case. I told the LGS I wouldn't pay over $500 and had trouble doing that. He refused said the employee who bought it paid too much to the seller for it. I walked. Quest over.

Wise decision

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95