Hi, I am new to forums, so please bear with me. I have a pre-29 in the black box. I would like to get the paperwork that is original to this gun. Does anyone out there know where it would be available? How is this different from that that comes with a model 29? Thanks for any help.

Hi, I am new to forums, so please bear with me. I have a pre-29 in the black box. I would like to get the paperwork that is original to this gun. Does anyone out there know where it would be available? How is this different from that that comes with a model 29? Thanks for any help.

The only paperwork I have seen with a pre-model 29 is the warranty registration card. There is a parts sheet dated January 1, 1957 for the 44 Magnum, NT-430, but it was not shipped with revolvers.

The first Parts and Instruction Sheet was shipped with the Model 29 in 1960.

If other other forum members have paperwork that was shipped with a gun from the 56-59, I would be interested in knowing about it.

Bill

Thanks doc. I knew if anyone one would know, you would.

Grim Reaper: Welcome to the forum! Here's a pic of the early AD and a link to an earlier post showing pic's of early articles regarding the .44 Magnum you might find informative.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5301039...651027452#8651027452

Hi pre64. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. I really love that stuff. I am familiar with the ad, but I guess I will have to get off my butt and start checking those magazines. Thanks again to all.

Grim---there's a few more but I'm keeping them a "secret" until they arrive at my door..then I'll post a pic of them also...

Pre 64, what are the dates on those American Rifleman? Thanks!!

The article on the 44 Magnum by Julian Hatcher is in the March 1956 American Rifleman and the advertisement is in the April issue.

Bill

Grim..following are a few more of the earlier articles & ADs that Doc44 and 29-1 have shared with me...
Jan-56 All Model Circular .44 Magnum Listed
March, 1956 U S Hand-Gunner Review/AD HAND-GUNNER (volume VI, No. 3, cover, page 8 and the back cover - Pub. U.S. Revolver Association
March, 1956 American Rifleman 24 Review Maj. Gen. Julian Hatcher "The Most Powerful Handgun"
April, 1956 American Rifleman 66 Full Page AD S&W AD also appeared in "U S Hand-Gunner" magazine March, 1956
May, 1956 Argosy 36 Article Pete Kuhlhoff "the World's Most Powerful Handgun"
May, 1956 Argosy 67 AD REX Firearms Company AD - Engraved .44 S&W - Small corner AD
May, 1956 American Rifleman 78 1/5th Page AD REX Firearms Company AD - Engraved .44 S&W - no price
1956 Gopher's Shooter Suppy Catalog #11
June, 1956 Guns 39 Article Kent Bellah "Hottest of the Hot Shots" - great pictures p. 40
June, 1956 American Rifleman 75 AD Gopher Shooter's Supply #11 - .44 pictured on 1956 catalog
June, 1956 American Rifleman 109 AD H.H. Harris Company - taking orders for the "New .44 Magnum"
August, 1956 American Rifleman 11 Full Page AD Peters Remington .44 Magnum Cartridge
August, 1956 American Rifleman 113 Full Page AD Ruger .44 Magnum Introduction AD
September, 1956 American Rifleman 124 1/5th Page AD Updated AD - REX Firearms Company
September, 1956 American Rifleman 120 2" x 4" Ad Gopher Shooter's Supply #11 - .44 pictured on 1956 catalog
October, 1956 Argosy 42-43 & 87-88 Review Elmer Keith The Handgun-Your Ace In The Hole, Elmer Keith, Argosy, October 1956, pp. 42-43, 87-88
October, 1956 American Rifleman 98 1/5th Page AD New price $140 - REX Firearms Company AD
October, 1956 American Rifleman 30 Review E.J. Hoffschmidt K-38 Masterpiece Review/ Article
October, 1956 American Rifleman 9 Full Page AD Ruger .44 Magnum specifications AD
November, 1956 American Rifleman 90 AD New price $140 - REX Firearms Company AD
December, 1956 American Rifleman 75 AD S&W AD - Updated
1957 The New Lucian Cary on "GUNS" 104 Review Lucian Cary "Man-Stopping Pistols"
1957 Gun Digest 11 Article Col. Charles Askins "A Man's Sixgun"
1957 Gun Digest 118 Article Maj. Gen. Julian Hatcher "Hatcher on Handguns 1956-1957"
1957 Popular Handguns 103 Picture Larry Koller Popular Handguns by Larry Koller (Maco Magazine Corporation, 1957), page 103 both hard & soft covers
1961 Sixguns Book Elmer Keith .44 Magnum development article

Grim: A photo of a "harder" to find early piece with great coverage of the then new S&W .44 Magnum...The Gopher Shooter's Supply Catalog #11 from 1956. Inside the front cover is a picture of what is believed to be "S130938" one of the very earliest NT-430's and is currently on display at the S&W Museum (courtesy of Chuck Odom (29-1).

Pre 64, That is some great stuff!! Man, I love this site!! Thank you so much for all the help. Thanks to everybody else as well!!

Grim; You're welcome...You'll find lots of great info on the .44 Magnum by using the "Find" function on this site....play with it - start by searching for posts by either Doc44 or 29-1, two of our reigning experts on the .44 (and other N Frames) - Doc44 (Bill) particularly posts Outstanding pictures of rare .44's - watch for his posts...

Bump before it falls into unretrieveable cyberspace.

Gopher Shooters Supply must have gone out of business. I recently purchased the book "Smith & Wesson Handguns by McHenry & Roper, 1945 edition" and it has Gopher Shooters Supply stamped inside the front cover page. Also a 'Handy Order Form" with copies of the S&W book listed for $7.50. There is no dust jacket but it does have a plastic protective cover. Otherwise the book is in excellent shape. Anybody have any thoughts of its worth? TIA

41

For those interested, here are a few more interesting early .44 Mag. writeups from my files:

1958 GUN DIGEST, "The .44 Magnum....one year later" by Elmer.

HANDLOADER Magazine #3, "The .44 Magnum Story" by Elmer.

GUNS Magazine, Oct.'57, Elmer's column.

GUN WORLD Magazine, APR. '61, "Reloading the .44 Magnum" by John Lachuk.

.44 MAG, a magazine format published by Stories, Layouts & Press, 1978- articles by Jurras, Nonte, Lomont, Lachuk, Milek. Probably pretty scarce.

__________________
Good shooting.

Here's that info on the .44 Magnum once again for those researching the "early .44" magnums