Like a lot of us I had this "need" for an N frame, cokes etc., without a model number, preferably a four inch .44 mag, but did not have the spare three grand or so to get one. Well a forum member, SigKev, offered me one that had a few issues but at a very fair price.

It had a fair amount of surface corrosion, but no serious pitting. The side plate and turned "plum" as well as the trigger and hammer pins. I also wasn't sure of the mechanics so I sent it off to Smith and asked if they could make it like new. I know that some would not approve of refinishing a gun but it did need it and you can see the results, I don't care what the value is. To me it is priceless. It also shoots very nicely. I keep the loads at light .44 mag. (Very light, but more than .44 Special.)

I found the cokes on Ebay, ($300.00.)

Some pics:

Daaaang that looks great!

That is beautiful! Do you have any "before" pics to show how bad the finish was prior to sending it to S&W? Did they re-cut the S&W logo or any of the lettering? I have been considering sending a gun to either S&W or Fords for refinishing (it really needs it, too), and that info would certainly help in making my decision. I apologize for asking, but were there extra costs associated with the re-blue over and above S&W's basic charge for the high polish re-blue? Enjoy that "like new" piece of 1950s artistry in metal!

OK... I am now envious...


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

Now that is VERY nice. Congratulations on a fine piece of restoration.

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David Wilson

When did you send this to S&W? I called them month or so about rebluing a pre 27, and they told me they no longer work on pre-model number guns. I wonder if I got a bum steer...or a bum customer service guy!
rooster

Very nice!

I, for one, think you did absolutely the right thing by sending it back to S&W. Obviously, the gun is not a collector piece, so you are adding to its useful life, and your enjoyment, by having S&W rebuild it.

Now, go out and enjoy.

Interesting, standard hammer, very nice gun.

Here is a before picture from my album. The lighting makes it look better than it was in person. I am not sure on the history, but it looked like someone took a blue pen to the gun to cover up several places of finish wear. While it was not awful, it was certainly a shooter and nothing more. I have another Model 29 four inch that was refinished by S&W in the 1970s. To me, a factory refinish does not hurt the value very much. But more importantly, the new owner is proud of the gun which will cause him to enjoy it. In my opinion, that is priceless.

S&W Forum - SigKev's Album: My 29s - Picture

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Kevin Cowherd
SWCA #2271

Thank you for the nice words.

This gun was not a wreck when I got it, it had surface rust and blueing wear on the barrel and trigger guard, and a few other places but not bad. (It looked like somebody left it in a leather holster for a few decades.) It did have the high polish and I didn’t ask for anything special. What they re polished they did it to the same level.

As to what they will work on, I think it’s a case-by-case basis. I have a pre-war pre-36 that is in bad shape and they told me to forget it. This gun (the .44) was made in 1957 (S167XXX) and I don’t think much different than a 29. Although it is a four screw and they replaced the cylinder stop (among other things,) which maybe different than a three screw part but I don’t know for sure. What they will do depends on what parts they have. I think some of those guys have stuff they are not telling people about. (My opinion only, please don’t quote me.) What I am sure of is that they like working on older guns and they like making them nice. This is not the first one I have sent in and I have always been more than pleased.

To replace the trigger, hand, cylinder stop and sear. They set the barrel back and re-cut the throat and some other things. That plus the refinish was $230.00. I sent it to them in early December and got it back about three weeks ago.

Anyhow I would call and ask to speak to a gunsmith. In my experience they will ask you what you have and what you want and tell you what they can do.

I have a “tuned” single action only 14, and I cannot tell the difference between this trigger and that one. I did not ask or pay for an action job. BTW, it had a standard trigger in it as well as the hammer but my somewhat numb fingers (corrosion in the cervical spine) do much better with the wide ones so I had this put in it. I don’t know if it came with cokes either, but it has them now. In the letter is says Goncalo Alves target grips.

They cannot re-stamp the logo in the same place. If they have to polish it off then it goes on the other side. The sideplate, other than being “plum,” was not bad. It did have a few spots and it is obvious to me that whoever fixed it did it by hand, as the logo looks just like it did.

The only old picture I can find is this one, which I took because of the plum trigger and hammer pins. I bought my first S&W in 1967, I have more than I should be allowed and this is the first time I realized that those pins came all the way through and if you look really hard you can see them on most guns. Live and learn.

I very much like your gun and think S&W did a fine job. I think Kevin is a real stand up guy and am glad you got to do some business with him. Good pictures too.

Roger

I can vouch for their blue jobs. I recently had them do a gun for me and it looks just like yours. In fact, the finish looks like yours now, but before (though it was in excellent condition), was just a typical '80's finish and nowhere near as nice.

That is very nice looking! I am impressed with the high polish and luster of the reblue. You have a very nice pre 29 there and the price you paid for the rework is very reasonable.

That looks great! S&W did an outstanding jog on the refinish IMO. Problem is, I wouldnt want to shoot it now...I still would though!

I bought a gently used 29 no dash with Cokes from SigKev last year at more than a fair price and found him to be a great man to deal with. I just wanna know where he is finding all these early 44 mags!

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Nothing to see here,move along

Thanks for the kind words from SWID, 66TAS, and Memphis. I actually found both of those guns on gunbroker. Every once in a while a nice deal does pop up, but it is becoming more and more rare.

I too am amazed at the quality of the refinish. I think I will be much more willing to pick up a well worn pre-29 or 29 after seeing the results of SWID's project.

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Kevin Cowherd
SWCA #2271

A wonderful restoration of grand old pre Model 29. I think it turned out great and that you have something to be really proud of.

Very very nice.