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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 05-17-2018, 03:32 PM
David.Hylton David.Hylton is offline
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I was looking at a four-inch .44 magnum today. The barrel has a about 50% blue, the receiver is in better shape and it has replacement rubber grips. It is not marked model 29. The dealer wants $900 which is high for a shooter grade .44. Unless, there is a significant premium for a pre-29 revolver.

Any suggestion for other things to look at?

Thanks,
Dave
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Old 05-17-2018, 03:38 PM
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Is it a 4 screw or a five screw? Serial number range?
An early original five screw pre 29 in four inch is very hard to come by. Make sure numbers match on frame, cylinder and barrel.
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Old 05-17-2018, 03:41 PM
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Is it a 5-screw? Do SN's match on frame, cylinder, and barrel? Mechanically good? (bore, lock-up, timing,etc)

I type too slow! Lol
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Old 05-17-2018, 03:42 PM
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Pre-29s are usually found in much better condition grades. 5 screw more desirable than 4 screw. 4" barrel a bit more than 6.5". 5" barrels and any nickel pre-29s also a premium.

Pre-29s are sought after by collectors however this one seems the "add" for collectors' value to be nominal if any but still a Pre-29 still worth a bit more than a 29-2 in similar condition, as comparison.

Photos would be an immense help.

For that same money you can find more pristine, more modern, model 29 or 629. Good value for the money would be a Lew Horton or Performance Center in upper (but used) condition, I feel. My son recently sold a 629, Lew Horton 3", with combat (finger grooved wood) stocks in 97% condition for $800.00

Find and study Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (4th Edition) by Supica and Nahas and the 2018, 39th Edition Blue Book of Gun Values which should only be used as a guide.
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Old 05-17-2018, 04:04 PM
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$900! from a dealer. Man is he fishing for a sucker. No way in the condition described. Save your money and buy something in better condition.
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Old 05-17-2018, 04:23 PM
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4 inch Pre-29 is a rare bird.
Wouldn’t be happy about the missing Coke grips,
But if the numbers match, barrel not cut,
Probably make a run at it.
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Old 05-17-2018, 04:41 PM
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As mentioned, many earlier (and even later) .44 Mags were not shot all that much. It wasn't unusual for a new owner to take out his .44 Mag, and after firing a few rounds of factory loads decided it would sit in the gun cabinet for awhile before he took it out a second time.

Something like that happened to me but it involved a new (to me) Ruger .44 Blackhawk flat top back around 1963-64. At the first shot, the hammer tore into the web between my right thumb and forefinger which bled like a stuck pig. That ended the day's shooting, and for some time thereafter. That's how I got into reloading - so I could make up mild loads for that Blackhawk. Later I also bought a pair of oversized grips, and that also helped a great deal.

Missing the original Coke Targets on that one is a big deal. I personally wouldn't go close to $900 for it even if others would.

Last edited by DWalt; 05-17-2018 at 04:44 PM.
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Old 05-17-2018, 08:16 PM
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Quote:
For that same money you can find more pristine, more modern, model 29 or 629.
With a 4" barrel? Just asking.

It sounds really finish-challenged. Are you sure the barrel hasn't been cut? Otherwise, why is 50% of the finish missing off the barrel?

I could see paying that much for it if it is all original (except stocks) and in excellent mechanical condition.
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Old 05-17-2018, 09:05 PM
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Dave:

I would agree that $900 is high for the condition that you describe. However, if the wear on the barrel and cylinder is all holster wear and it is uniform with No rust, No pitting, No gouges, No heavy dings and it is a 5-screw, I might be interested at that price. But then again, 1) those kind of well-used guns speak to me and 2) I have an "extra" set of well-used, but not abused Cokes in the woodpile...

I'd love to see the photos! If you do decide to bring it home, negotiate strongly for a lower price and make sure that you take the rubber grips off it so that you can confirm what is or is not under them.

For reference, seven years ago, I paid about 5 times the asking price of your referenced gun for this 5-screw pre-29, with the Ivories, the case, the tools, and a set of perfect "Coke" grips (not pictured):






Good luck,
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Last edited by RKmesa; 05-19-2018 at 09:15 AM.
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Old 05-22-2018, 02:17 PM
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RKmesa that 5 screw is beautiful.
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