I'm looking to buy a 5-screw Pre-Mod 29. Could someone please tell me when it was manufactured. The serial # is 133428.

Also, any idea what a fair price might be? It's rated 95%.

Many thanks for the help.

If it is a pre-29, there should be an "S" in front of the number. If that is the case, it was made between 1954 (S103000) and 1955 (S139999). Hope that helps.

1954-55. according to the S&W standard cat. should also have an S stamped preceding the sn# too.

Barrel length, nickel or blue?

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BCCI Life Member #2068

That’s pretty early,I believe the first 4 guns made were in the S130,000
range. If it’s an S133,000 it’s got be one of the earliest out the door.

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NRA LIFE 1974

Looks to be a 6-inch barrel and it's blued. I haven't seen it in person. It's on an auction that's why I'm curious about the price. It's up to $1,275 right now. I'm thinking actual value would be close to $2K but I thought folks who know more about S&Ws could give me a better estimate.

Sure appreciate the help.

Just a WAG by me, but I would make 2 guesses. First, that the barrel is 6.5 and not 6 inches long. Second, if it is that early of a pre-29 in 95% shape, it will go much, much higher than 2 grand.
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Guys, guys, guys. These "1954 to 1955" guesses just illustrate the problem of relying entirely on the serial number estimates published in the SCSW.

The sole remaining prototype of the .44 Magnum was assembled in January, 1955. The serial number is S121836. The first production unit was assembled on December 15, 1955 (serial number S130927). That gun shipped to Rex Firearms in February, 1956.

The formal announcement of availability of the .44 Magnum was made on January 19, 1956. There were no production .44 Magnums made in 1954, and very, very few in 1955.

I don't find S133428 on any of the lists I have, but I hope Bill Cross will be along soon to provide information about the OP's revolver. Bill is one of the most (if not the most) informed guys in the world about the early .44 Magnum revolvers.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Does it have the original grips, maybe Coke bottle grips, need a picture would help..................................M*

Thanks, JP@AK. Not actually being able to see the gun makes me nervous.
Mblhopo, the grips don't appear to be original.

Maybe Bill Cross will chime in on this one.

Since it's an auction revolver, it could very well be mis-listed and is actually not a Pre-29.

Some of the earliest 44 Magnums have a serial number in the S130000 range and were shipped January through May 1956. I have many serial numbers for 44 Magnums in my database, but none are in the S133000 range. The revolver could be a Pre-Model 27 or Pre-Model 28.

Bill

I'll try and contact the auctioneer Monday to see if he can check to insure it's a .44 and not a .357 and to look closer at the serial number.

The auctioneer confirmed that the serial number did start with an S. I bowed out of the bidding at $2K. The winning bid was $4,600! Thanks for all the help guys. It just wasn't in my spending allowance :-(