Ever since I got my first 44 magnum (pre 29) which was a 6.5 gun, I wanted a shorty aka 4in. This proved more difficult to find than I had first thought. I wanted one that was original, which would also letter. I preferred to find a 5 screw, but I knew regardless, it has to be before a 29-2 for my first one. No real reason, except the earlier the better, as most times it goes in this hobby.

Just like with many other S&Ws we all search for, patience is a virtue. I would semi frequently find them online (5 screw, 4 screw, 29 no dash) but they were either low condition, refinished, had cut barrels, too much money, no letter, altered, etc. I didn't need the letter to buy one per se, but I of course didn't want to buy an early 4in 44 magnum which didn't letter either.

A few months ago, my patience paid off. I landed this nice 4 screw pre 29 which shipped in 1958. SN - S180093. The seller was in CA, we agreed to a price and the gun came to my S&W orphanage

At some point in its life, it had trigger work done and let me tell you, its one of the best revolver triggers I have ever felt - period! The gun is in respectable condition, as are the grips. No rework or date stamps.

It really felt great to get this one. "Finally" I kept saying to myself. On top of the age, attrition rate, etc. far fewer early 44 magnums were made with 4in barrels. 4in production began about mid way through 1956. As time went on, more and more 4in guns were made but I would still estimate that only 1/3 of the early 44 magnum production was for 4in guns.

Here she is







I managed to get the letter request out right before Roy went on his trip in April (I think it was). A few weeks ago I got the letter, and thankfully the gun lettered correctly. Also interesting was that the previous owner was in CA and the gun originally shipped there. The owner before me was not the first owner.

If any of you have a case for a 4in 44 magnum you would sell, I would be interested. This gun goes in the smaller black/blue presentation case.

Its nice when things work out

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

Sir that's a nice one indeed. Congratulations. I do see them come up from time to time. Most are out of my budget. I really like the four inch barrel length.

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S&WCA #3012

Excellent Jim! Beautiful example. I've had this one for quite a while. It's got quite a few scratches in it but it's all there.
Bill

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Bill

Thank you for sharing that somewhat unusual 44 magnum! I don't believe I saw a post of that one before. Looks to be Jarvis to my eye. Am I right?

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

I also have a 6.5 inch pre-29 and would very much like to find a 4 inch like yours. Mine is not in the best condition, as someone touched up the finish with cold blue or something. But it shoots like a laser and has a nice set of cokes on it. Well done, sir!

Looks like Jarvis to me as well...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Jim and Richard,I'm in agreement with you,pretty sure it's Harry Jarvis.
Bill

What a beauty. If you get tired of that old scratched up gun, you can could send it to me.

I hope you are prepared to offer (or pay) at least 5x to 8x+ more than what you would have to offer (or pay) to get my revolver...

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

You guys and your love for scratched up revolvers.

I would be interested in hearing how they shoot, if indeed any of you plan to shoot yours. (I wouldn't blame anyone either way, just curious). Obviously, I wouldn't expect a shooting report on the engraved ones.

To my thinking, a .44 Magnum just screams for a 6" or longer barrel. But I have never fired one with the 4" barrel, so I am interested in actual experiences.

Another thing about those early ones is they are pre-endurance package, so there again I would wonder if they are a better choice for a collector and not the greatest for a shooter.

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You're shy a few manners.

I bought a 4" M29, along with a 6.5" in 1979 while stationed in Germany. I still have the 6.5", but it took me less than a couple of cylinders of full power ammo to convince me that the 4" needed a new home. Way too much noise and recoil for me! I'm glad some folks like them, because it made it easy for me to move mine along.

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Tom
1560

I agree and I don't remember ever firing a shorty either. I will have to let you all know, unless of course I am too embarrassed at my target

I agree that for shooting they are not as good as later models BUT one has to wonder, just how many licks would it take to get to the center of the tootsie pop, so to speak? I know on my 44 magnums (pre 29s), I will never find out!

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

I restrict my pre-29 to a diet of 44 Special. No point in beating it up.

If it had been me writing that it would have read "No point in beating myself up."

I have an M29-3 with a 3" barrel Lew Horton Special that is certainly "Pre Endurance Package". I shot the snot out of it with 300 grain Prvi Partizan, (I was misinformed and led to believe this gun had the "EP")... 75Vette from this forum was a big help informing me on the skinny of exactly what Models have the "EP", what Models Don't, and quick and unmistakable way of how to tell... He and others said that I would likely wear out my 40 year old beefy mitts before the M29 LHS would. I never had one hiccup nor did the cylinder every rotate backwards under recoil to a dead/spent round either. It's just as tight as the day I brought her home.

I save the 300+ grain steel silhouette hammer loads to my 3" barreled M629-5 now; but it's not due to the -5 having the "EP" and the LHS 29-3 does NOT... I'm sure 75Vette and others were right, my wrists and hands will wear lose before the LHS 29-3 will. It's simply because it took considerable time and effort acquiring a 3" M29-3LHS and I don't want to take the slightest of chance of something happening amiss. So it's been relegated to 255 grain loads and lesser.

As to a 3" M29/629 being a wrist breaker, hell no, not even close! It's quite pleasurable to push 100 rounds of full-house Mags in a single range session and another 50 hot Specials as well. Both of mine weigh over 40ounces! A 4" barreled version weighing 2 ounces more will fare even 2 hairs better.
M29-3 "LHS"

M629-5 "MBP"

Last range day, 10 and 12 yard groupings...

OMG---THIS IS A GORGEOUS EXAMPLE. THAT HISTORICAL LETTER WAS WELL WORTH THE COST AND THE WAIT.....

THE FACT THAT IT IS DOCUMENTED AS THE VERY FIRST CLASS A, FACTORY ENGRAVED SPECIMEN, TRULY SETS IT APART........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

OP, I'm happy for you. That is the nicest 60 year old gun I've ever seen. I'm not even sure it was ever shot outside the factory. I take really good care of my guns, vehicles, house, etc... But damn some considerable care was taken with your new piece; not a scratch, blemish, or spec of rust... that is truly astounding!

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful find!

That is a beauty. It is always great to finally get one that has been wanted for some time. Patience does pay off.

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Ken

OP that is a great find. I hope your get many years of enjoyment out of it. I found one myself about 3 years ago. My birth year 1957. Your's is an excellent example. I looked a long time too. I know what you mean about patience. I wanted and still want a 5 screw but I also wanted a birth year gun. So this 4 screw presented itself at just the right time. S/N S170xxx.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Nice guns guys all of em .I like my 44 shooters but I dream of the day I'll have an honest beauty "scratched up" like some of the ones I see here . I must admit it is impressive to see you fellas look at a picture and pick right up on the artist that did the work .

Man you guys are killing me with these beautiful works of minty art this morning! Both examples of the 60+ year old revolvers are more mint than I could imagine possible and were built in a time when craftsmenship, pride, and work ethic meant everything. Thanks for posting that pic/sharing with us!

I have both a 6.5" pre-29 and a 4" 29-2, and they both make frequent appearances at the range. The 6.5" is not that bad (but still really fun) to shoot with full power loads, but the 4" can abuse your hand a bit. I find it easier to switch over to the Pachmayr grips on it, as the Factory wood stocks tend to beat me up.

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Ash

When I made my comments re: longer barrels might be preferable, I wasn't thinking about how a 4" .44 Magnum might beat up ones hand(s). I was thinking about the blast and flash.

I have fired an M629 with a 5" barrel, but only with my own rather gentle .44 M handloads. That was enough for me. As I said, I don't have any experience with a 4" barrel with full power loads, nor do I want any!

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You're shy a few manners.