I purchased this 629-2 a few years back second hand. S/N BBNXXXX. Based solely on the model number I assume it to be 1988 manufacture. It came to me as shown with Pachmayr Compacs which I've since changed out to Grippers, no box, papers or anything else.

It is a round butt, 3 inch, no porting. White outline rear and red ramp front. Trigger is a .312 smooth combat, hammer is .400 semi-target.

I've run through SCSW and I don't find the serial number prefix. I also don't find this with a product code listed or as a variation in 629-2. It seems somewhat in line with product code 103610, which was supposed to have been used for a number of 3 inch guns.

Does anyone have any deeper knowledge that might help me pin down a bit more on this? Otherwise I guess I'll pop for a letter.

Look at page 400 of SCSW. Likely the revolver is from mid to late 1988.
What it looks like most of all (to me) is what is known as a Trail Boss, except I don't think they'd come out with that name yet back in '88. It might be a limited, special run model too, such as something from a distributor like Lew Horton or Lipsey's.
I think there are quite a few configurations of the 29 and 629 that are not listed specifically in the SCSW, as I've seen several on used shelves in shops that when I go try to look up, they aren't there either. Someone else may chime in here, but I doubt I'd spend the money for a letter on an '88 revolver.
Nice revolver!

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Geoff. Since 1960.

Not sure about the 3" -2 guns but I've read that in 86 they made two runs totaling 8000 3" -1 guns, approximately 2500 went to LH and the rest were sold by S&W but were not cataloged , is it possible they did something similar with the -2's

Thanks for the replies. I had consulted page 400 but since I didn't find BBN called out as a prefix it is more apparent to me that the prefixes on that page are roughly identifying date ranges. The caveat about prefixes being used randomly and out of sequence I guess threw me a curve.

It is indeed similar to a Trail Boss but this gun has a nice, large and crisp S&W logo on the sideplate, which is how I like them. The -1 three inch guns for Lew Horton were supposedly / allegedly unfluted cylinders.

I enjoy solving mysteries so springing for a letter on a somewhat interesting specimen I can't otherwise identify doesn't bother me.

I also have a 629-1 that appears identical to yours and has a serial number of BBA 07XX. Mine is a 1986 DOB. As you have found out Lew Horton got around 2500-3000 and the rest were sold by Smith. Like yours, mine has the large S&W logo on the side plate. I dumped the rubber grips and replaced them with Ahrends RB wooden finger groove grips. This revolver has one of the smoothest triggers of any Smith I have and it is very easy to shoot even with factory magnum ammo. You will enjoy this pistol very much.

I have a similar 629-1 with Serial # BAN0XXX that was a S&W unit from 1986 and not a Lew Horton. Great little firearm.

Attached Images

629-1.jpg (147.7 KB, 16 views)

Were your grips Hogue, Pachmayr or something else? And were they factory? Mine came to me with Compacs, but I've no clue what the OEM grip would be. My goal would be to get it close to as it left the factory and I am partial to Ahrends, but the Grippers I have on it now make it even more fun to shoot.

The trigger on mine is quite good, particularly crisp in single action. I've shot it with a variety of loads and find that 180 grain bullets in a reasonable magnum loading are outstanding.