I just acquired a really nice Pre 29, serial # S 1473XX and wanted to know when it was manufactured?

It's 1956 according to the book Bob.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

It would be a late 1955 gun per the SN, and now you owe us some photos .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Pre-model 29s in the S147xxx range shipped as early as January 1956 (S1472xx shipped to Elmer Keith and was the fourth production gun shipped if I am quoting the S&WCA journal correctly) and as late as December 1957. Sorry for the wide range, but S&W did not ship serial numbers in order. You really need a factory letter to get the actual date.

Can you tell us more about it? Did it come with the original case, tools, etc? Condition? Inquiring minds want to know

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Kevin Cowherd
SWCA #2271

I purchased the Pre 29 off one of the auction sites, no case or accessories. At present the gun has an un-serial #'d 6 1/2" barrel, included in the deal was the original 4" barrel which is serial #'d to the gun. Neither barrel shows much evidence of firing, the recoil shield shows very little blue loss though there is a pretty good turn line. Dry fired more than shot perhaps. OTD price was $1875.00 I am very pleased with the deal as the gun retains 96-97% original blue.

Most of the 5-screw 44 Magnums with a 4-inch barrel shipped in late 56 or in the first half of 1957 (although at least one shipment was made in September of 1956). I would guess your revolver has an original 4-inch barrel and the 6 1/2-inch is a replacement.

Bill

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Misty

I have seen several guns that shipped as 4" changed to 6.5, including one I own. Most were shipped late in 56 or early 57. During the initial years of production I dont believe the factory built both barrel lengths concurrently. I base this statement on correspondence I have seen stating a run of 6.5, the next run being 4". I surmise due to the limited production of these first few years led to people buying whatever they could get their hands on then sending them back to have them altered to the configuration they wanted.

Bob, If you care to show a couple pics I would be glad to post them. I was wondering if it had arrived yet.

Well, let's see. The model began shipping in early 1956... and the model number started appearing in late 1957... so when was your pre-29 shipped? I dunno... maybe 1956 or early 1957? Just guessing...

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No life story has happy end.

Here are a couple pics. Nice score Marksman

Here it is and worth the wait.