There is a private sale in my area for a 4 screw with an 8-3/8" barrel. The serial number is: S21128#. Did S&W make a 4 screw with an 8-3/8" barrel in this serial number range? Also comes with I believe is a later presentation box with tools. Seller claims gun is in excellent condition with a turn line on the cylinder. Wants 1200 for it. I'll try to post a pic. Thanks to all.

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I personally wouldn't give $1200 for it. It's not super old or super collectable. The 8 3/8" barrel guns are the least sought after. I would, maybe in a weak moment, go $750-800. This is just me.
Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention the wrong grips and missing brush.

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Dick

The barrel length and presentation case are correct for the gun. What are not correct are the diamond target stocks , and the screwdriver. The stocks should be the earlier Coke bottle style and I believe the screwdriver should be tapered at the end. Still probably a fair price for the package. Hope this helps. Hopefully others will chime in with more information.

I think that the price would be fair or maybe even a little low IF the cokes and chisel point screwdriver were part of the package. If not,.....? Looks like the correct brush is missing also.

Opinion only.

Bruce

If you're thinking that the gun is in a later case because of the direction it is facing, it and the tools are laying in the lid. They should be laying in the side that has the finger ports on each side if the tool slots.

As for price, it may be a little high like it is, but I don't think it's off by very much. The brush is easily replaced either with a correct one, or one of the replica brushes sold by Brownell's, and yea, a lot of guys here have them in their "original" set of tools. The clamshell cases are going for between $150 on the low side to $300 on the upper end, the diamond targets will often fetch $100-$175 depending on condition, so all totaled, it isn't a bad deal, and they aren't making them any more.

YMMV

Right case as Tim has stated, wrong tools, and grips. I'd say about $200 too high

Wrong grips and screwdriver. OK. But what's with the brush. Some say it's missing and some say it's not correct. Maybe the latter are both within the same? I had thought for this 44 it would come in the black presentation case with S&W logo on the outside. Seller states the case is from 1971? Back to my original question at the top of the thread; is this a pre 29 44 magnum with the 8-3/8" correct for the serial number? I guess that's the main concern here for me. Not too familiar yet with the pre 29's so bear with my ignorance. Thanks again.

The box would be correct and the grips may be correct depending on when the gun was actually shipped.
Pre 29s with 8 3/8ths barrels were the first 44 Magnums to be shipped in a mahogony presentation box with blue satin interior.
Does this one have the serial number on the cylinder and ejector rod shroud? The later pre 29s won't.
Your serial number seems late for a pre 29 but who knows.

Here's an early model marked 29 four screw, serial number S2072XX which shipped in March 1961.

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S/N seemed late to me too. Seller states it is a model 29 with no dash. I thought if the gun started with an S prefix it was a pre-29.

S serials were continued until ~69 when they changed to N. There are lots of S serialed 29-2s.

Jim

So based upon the above S/N; when approximately was this firearm produced?????????? Thanks.....

And would this 44 be considered a pre-29 or a 29-1, 29-2..... or whatever.

Mine is a four screw 29 no dash. Yours should be close, shipped in the 1961 or 1962.
The S in front of the serial number on N frames begain post war 1946 and ran all the way up into 1970.
Mystery solved. The gun in your picture is correct as are the grips and box.
If that gun is mint condition, it can fetch that price of $1,200 but that is up to the purchaser.
In Suprica's book which is now several years old, a four screw 29 no dash ANIB was listed at $1,800.

The Model 29 (4-screw variation) probably was shipped in 1961. The stocks are incorrect as they should be of the coke bottle type. The clamshell case is correct for the gun. The sight screwdriver is incorrect as it should have a long, flat blade and not the hollow ground tip. The swab and cleaning rod are correct, but the brass bristled brush is missing and has been replaced by a tip that would hold a cleaning patch. This tip is incorrect as 44 Magnums were never shipped with this accessory. I believe the gun and case are valued at approximately $1000 since the stocks are not original. If they were, $1200 would be a decent price for the package. 44 Magnums with a serial number beginning with the letter S were introduced in 1956 and ended in 1969 or 1970 at approximately serial number S330000 (they include the pre29, 29 (like the one being discussed), 29-1, and 29-2 model variations.

Bill

Check out the pics.

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8-3/8" least desirable 29 no dash ? Man your
hurting my feelings--it's all I own!!! Pete

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NRA LIFE 1974

If you check this thread....... there are multiple answers that conflict each other. I appreciate all responses but I'm lost when I get he said she said. I'm sure you will see what I mean. Anyway it's not the end of the world yet............. as Obama sees it...... What a Government we have now........

If it helps, Moosedog stated that his 8 3/8" 29 S207xxx shipped in March of 1961. I own this 6.5" 29, serial S2082XX that also shipped in March of 1961, so yours should have shipped in 1961 as well, which is in line with what Doc44 posted above.



These are the correct stocks, both above and in close up below. If you'll notice, they have a much larger checked area with a smaller border at the bottom, and are made of Goncalo Alves, whereas yours are made of walnut. Also, you should have a brass brush,NOT the cleaning jag that is on your rod now.

I may be wrong then on the cokes according to Doc. I bought my gun from a fellow officer's uncle who was the original owner and he was positive that those were the grips on it from new.
Maybe he was mistaken.
You should be able to locate a pair of correct grips if you search and are patient, the other items sound easy enough to locate. Let us know how you do.

As for gun facing the wrong way in the presentation case...take both the styrofoam liners out of the case and switch the one on top with the one on the bottom. Problem solved.

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Have Canon, Will Travel

Mitch:
Even if the walnut stocks are not original, they are still very nice and appear to be non-relieved on the left side. Those regularly bring $200 to 250 for a nice set. Below is a near-original package from '61 with a 1963 flyer for Norma ammo. The revolver took a doe yesterday at about 35 yds.
Ed

Very nice 29 Mr. Smith17. It's nice to see some of these guns are actually being used.
I've got some extra Cokes in my grip boxes that I'm going to have to dig out so I can be up to speed.

What kind of a load did you use on the deer if I can ask?

Moosedog:
A PMC 240 grain TCSP. I used the same cartridge on a deer from a 29-1 last year.
Ed