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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 10-14-2018, 09:22 AM
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Default Pre 29; Bargain or Not?

I was at a local pawn shop yesterday and spotted this 5-screw Pre-29. It had these ugly target style grips on it, and the shop owner told me that he did not have the original grips. In fact, he said most of his possible customers liked the gun, but stayed away because of the grips.

So, after haggling over the price for awhile, I managed to pick it up, with ugly grips only, for just slightly under a grand.. I got it home and cleaned it up and put on this set of old grips that I had. Serial is #165XXX which I think might be from 1956. It has wear on it consistent with its age. Mechanically everything is perfect, with everything being fairly tight.

What are your opinions on whether or not I made a good deal?
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File Type: jpg Pre 29 A.jpg (68.1 KB, 436 views)
File Type: jpg Pre 29 B.jpg (66.0 KB, 406 views)
File Type: jpg Pre 29 C.jpg (129.0 KB, 374 views)
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Old 10-14-2018, 09:29 AM
ron b ron b is offline
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Cool shooter... I don't think you got hurt !
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Old 10-14-2018, 09:31 AM
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Personally I would send that gun off to Ford's to be master blued for around $350 and have a stunning shooter grade gun for what you would have invested in her.
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Old 10-14-2018, 09:36 AM
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I'll be curious to see what the experts think. IMO you paid a fair market price or maybe a tad above, but all the "pre" guns seem to be climbing, so I suspect in a year or two you'll be able to make a tidy profit if you opt to sell.

As far as getting a classic shooter, for around what you'd pay for a modern MIM/lock M29 you got a piece of American history. Seems worth it to me.
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Old 10-14-2018, 09:42 AM
Shark Bait Shark Bait is offline
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Looks like the old grips you put on it are cokes, so that's perfect. Nicely done.
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Old 10-14-2018, 09:59 AM
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As long as the 44 Magnum functions well, I would say you did fine. Enjoying shooting what is most likely a "first year" revolver.

Bill
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Old 10-14-2018, 11:35 AM
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5 screw 44 magnums are not that easy to come by, let alone if first year. I would say you did fine. They rarely ever sell for under $1,000....
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Old 10-14-2018, 07:48 PM
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You can't tell us how hideous these other grips are and then withhold photos!
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Old 10-14-2018, 09:56 PM
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OK - I see what you are saying. Here are the other grips. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder; just not mine.
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File Type: jpg Grips A.jpg (112.1 KB, 189 views)
File Type: jpg Grips B.jpg (134.6 KB, 127 views)
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Old 10-14-2018, 10:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vettepartz View Post
OK - I see what you are saying. Here are the other grips. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder; just not mine.
Aren't those the RARE pre-Cokes factory originals??!
I think you did well. I would NOT re-finish it.

Last edited by KEN L; 10-14-2018 at 10:28 PM.
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Old 10-14-2018, 11:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vettepartz View Post
OK - I see what you are saying. Here are the other grips. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder; just not mine.
I CAN SEE WHY NOBODY WANTED TO TAKE THIS ORPHAN HOME. THOSE GRIPS ARE TRULY HIDEOUS ! ! !

FORTUNATELY, YOU WERE ABLE TO SEE PAST THEM TO PICK UP A NICE OLD REVOLVER.......

IMHO, A TRIP TO FORD'S AND A SET OF PERIOD CORRECT, NICELY FIGURED CULINAS, WOULD TURN THIS INTO A TRUE STUNNER. I DOUBT THAT ANYONE'S EYES WILL POP OUT, OR ANYONE WILL GASP IN AMAZEMENT AT THE RANGE, WHEN YOU UNCASE THIS GUN IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. THAT WOULD ALL CHANGE ! ! !

I AM NOT A COLLECTOR PRIMARILY. SO IF I WAS A YOUNGER MAN, WITH REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF OWNING AND SHOOTING THIS REVOLVER FOR MANY YEARS, I WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER GOING THAT ROUTE. I WOULD AMORTIZE THE COST OVER THE LIFE OF THE CONTRACT, AND BE INTO A BEAUTIFUL GUN FOR PENNIES A DAY......

IMHO---DESPITE ITS PEDIGREE, ITS CURRENT CONDITION WOULD CLASSIFY IT AS A SHOOTER. IF ITS TURNED INTO A BEAUTIFUL SHOOTER, ITS NO LOSS TO THE COLLECTING COMMUNITY. OBVIOUSLY, THEY WEREN'T SHOWING ANY INTEREST IN IT, WHEN IT WAS LANGUISHING AT THE LGS....

OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE OF COURSE---ITS YOUR REVOLVER AND YOUR MONEY TO DO WITH IT, AS YOU SEE FIT ! ! !

IN ANY EVENT, BEST WISHES---I THINK THAT YOU DID WELL....
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Last edited by one eye joe; 10-14-2018 at 11:59 PM.
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Old 10-15-2018, 12:11 AM
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I like it as is with the period correct and slightly worn Cokes on it.
They match the condition of the gun. Well used but not abused.
I'd leave it as is and enjoy shooting it if it was mine.
But then again a grand for one gun is a little above my budget, so what do I know?
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Old 10-15-2018, 04:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BC38 View Post
I like it as is with the period correct and slightly worn Cokes on it.
They match the condition of the gun. Well used but not abused.
I'd leave it as is and enjoy shooting it if it was mine.
But then again a grand for one gun is a little above my budget, so what do I know?
I COULD AGREE WITH LEAVING IT AS IS, AS YOU SUGGEST. AT THIS STAGE OF MY LIFE, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD DO. I DON'T EVEN BUY BUNCHES OF GREEN BANANAS....lol.
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Old 10-15-2018, 05:17 AM
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Good score! I think it's double cool you happened to have a set of cokes with the right amount of wear waiting in the wings.

I wouldn't reblue. I think honest wear on the original finish is a better look. And in the future, honest wear will have better resale value than any refinish.
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vettepartz View Post
OK - I see what you are saying. Here are the other grips. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder; just not mine.
Those grips look to be of some value.Post a seperate thread on them to let the experts identify them for you.
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:29 AM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
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Well, there is enough wood there for kindling, that's for sure!

I would post them in the Classifieds. Some one who collects target guns may be interested in them. I bought a M27 in 1976. It came with a set of target Franzite (plastic) grips. They sure was ugly. There was a thread about Franzite grips a number of years ago and one of our members wanted them! The grips were shaped like "Cokes", but were kinda swirled pinkish plastic.
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Last edited by Muley Gil; 10-15-2018 at 08:38 AM.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:33 AM
Mike C2 Mike C2 is offline
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I’d have been all over that. I NEVER see pre-model 29’s around my area, and I am always looking on GB. And like mentioned above, you never see one less than $1000. Usually $1200 on 5 screw guns. I’ve got a set of Cokes on a late 70’s model 57 that would have found a home on that gun if I had found it first.... GREAT buy IMO.

I’m a shooter and an acccumulator but I want to shoot guns older than I am so that would be a sweet field piece. I wouldn’t even think about a refinish. I’d spend the “tree-fiddy” on ammo!
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:52 AM
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Maybe not a screaming deal, but certainly worth it.

The only 5 screw I’ve had was refinished. This was about 8 - 10 years ago. It had grips that looked like the ones you put on yours. The refinish was so-so, rounded corners everywhere, but the actual blue was pretty shiny. Bought, then later sold for $1000. I’d recommend NOT refinishing.
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Old 10-15-2018, 10:35 AM
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I'd get a few bucks for the grips I took off..leave it alone!..I like it as it is now....like it a lot..great shooter
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Old 10-15-2018, 10:43 AM
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Another gun I wish was mine. Grips make it perfect as it is. Leave it alone and shoot it.
Walt
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Old 10-15-2018, 12:13 PM
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I will start a new thread with pictures of the grips to see if someone can identify them, At first I thought they were homemade, but maybe not. Thanks for all of the advice from the forum members here.
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Old 10-15-2018, 02:17 PM
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Default S & W goes better with Coke!

Nice period correct coke grips on that shooter. Congratulations!
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Old 10-15-2018, 07:27 PM
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I love it as-is.
That's a Shooter...
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:10 PM
deyomatic deyomatic is offline
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Wow, they're less attractive than I imagined!
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:45 PM
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I recently bought a pre 19 with similar wear. Xlnt shooter. I think you did well.
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Old 10-16-2018, 07:35 PM
Willeys Willeys is offline
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The guns back then were purchased to use. If your gun is accurate and solid, you did well. I would not have it reblued since that would distort any history. Enjoy.
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