Is there any difference in collectibility of a 1973 29-2 as compared to a 1977 29-2 (since there were no significant engineering changes to speak of) or would they both bring the same price if condition was equal?

If I saw a nice 29-2, it would make no difference to me what year it was made.

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'Merica!

I doubt that 4 years difference in age would mean much.

As a general rule older is better with serious collectors. Lots of guns made in the 1970s are still around. Less so those made in the 1950s. The further back you go in time the fewer decent examples can be found. It's the scarcity that creates collector interest.

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I agree with the good Doctor.
Scarcity is usually the more important factor than even quality.

However you don’t say what barrel length. If it a 6” VS a 6 ½” gun the 6 ½” version is more collectable, even though I believe 6 ½” guns where made longer. I’m just going off memory on length of production and don’t have any recollection to numbers produced.

Emory

I am in the fortunate possition to have collected new or nearly new "guns I liked" in the late 70's & early 80's. I would seem I have good taste at least some of the time. Fortunately storage has been adequate to prevent deterioration. There are some issues with things done way back when... boxes lost (perhaps when I moved hurriedly, divorces are like that). I am pairing original grips with the original guns... I may have to restore or replace some. Remember the "shooters" of today are the "collectors" of tomorrow. Every year, guns are destroyed, ruined or what have you... the number decreases.

In my mind, the objective is to enjoy them while keeping them in the best possible condition... and that is the strongest influence on their condition.
Russ

The only "real" difference between an early 70s Model 29-2 and a mid- to late 70s Model 29-2 is the type of presentation case they were shipped with. As far as quality of the firearms, it would be hard to tell the difference.

Bill

How do the presentation cases differ in this case Bill?

Good question and comments. I usually try for 1960's vintage but recently picked up a 1975/76 model 27 just to play around with. I haven't shot it yet but it looks great. It is a little looser than my 1960 revolvers but that could be an individual characteristic. It least its still P&R'd.

From what I've seen, age is less a factor for collectors than certain characteristics, notably pinned barrels and recessed cylinders (P&R), 4 screw vs. 3 screw, etc.

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1969 to about mid-74 the cases had a Styrofoam bottom and soft rubber top, each covered by a synthetic blue material that deteriorated rapidly and all of these cases I have seen require recovering. In the fall of 74, the liners changed to molded plastic and covered with a blue flocking. Except for some cracking of the bottom liner, many are in good shape today. The case used for the 6 1/2-inch gun would depend on when it was shipped as it is near the change over period.

Bill

For what it's worth
I was very involved in Smith & Wessons from the mid 70's through the 80's and here is what I remember.
I never saw a 50's, 60's, or early 70's piece with any problem in the way they looked or acted. In the 78 and later pieces, there were problems, mostly in looks, some in actions.
One day, while I was talking to someone at the factory, and I do believe it was Roy Jinks as a matter of fact, we were discussing some quality issue and as a part of that conversation, he said that production had increased some outrageous percentage and then some outrageous percentage more and THAT was why we were seeing quality issues and mismarked model numbers etc., etc.. Now, in that period, I saw some of the best work ever, but I also saw a lot that was less than I was willing to accept. We were able to straighten a lot of the stuff out, but we also had to lower our standards as to what was acceptable. The factory was very gracious as to taking care of any problems, even though it could take a while.
For what it's worth.

In my limited experience with 29-2s, the earlier the better from the standpoint of the quality of the blue finish. About the time the 29-3s came on stream, the difference was very noticeable. I love the old "looking into a deep pool" polish and blue from S&W. Somewhere along the line the finish began to deteriorate; not as bad as the hasty blue applied to the 28s, but almost.

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