Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-27-2012, 09:19 AM
Joeygun Joeygun is offline
Member
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 107
Likes: 26
Liked 47 Times in 19 Posts
Default 29-2 assistance please

I just looked at a 29-2 that a friend wants to sell. I noticed a few things outright. First, the bluing on the barrel is lighter than the bluing on the frame. Second, the original rear sight was replaced with a Millet. Third, the rib on the barrel (correct term I hope) seems distinctively more narrow than that on the top strap/frame. There is also a scratch near the barrel pin. I am going to speculate that the barrel is not original. The number that I located inside the crane is "N8251xx"
The gun is a high 80%/low 90% overall.

Any info on the correct barrel length if applicable, date of manufacture, and value would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Joe
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-27-2012, 12:54 PM
bryan87's Avatar
bryan87 bryan87 is offline
Member
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joeygun View Post
I just looked at a 29-2 that a friend wants to sell. I noticed a few things outright. First, the bluing on the barrel is lighter than the bluing on the frame. Second, the original rear sight was replaced with a Millet. Third, the rib on the barrel (correct term I hope) seems distinctively more narrow than that on the top strap/frame. There is also a scratch near the barrel pin. I am going to speculate that the barrel is not original. The number that I located inside the crane is "N8251xx"
The gun is a high 80%/low 90% overall.

Any info on the correct barrel length if applicable, date of manufacture, and value would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Joe
Joe,

That serial # places that 29-2 in the 1980-1983 range for production: How to Identify/Date a S&W.

A picture or two would sure help in determining the value based on wear and identifying that suspect barrel you mentioned.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-27-2012, 08:25 PM
Retired W4's Avatar
Retired W4 Retired W4 is online now
US Veteran
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta area
Posts: 8,801
Likes: 15,779
Liked 19,356 Times in 4,351 Posts
Default

Hmmm. The barrel ribs on my 29-2's are slightly more narrow than the frame, but the 10 grooves are about the same. The scratch by the pin and the color of the barrel might be a hint that the barrel was changed. I don't know, but I would think you could replace the Millet with a S&W rear sight without much problem. I agree with Bryan87 on the pictures.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-28-2012, 10:53 AM
Joeygun Joeygun is offline
Member
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 107
Likes: 26
Liked 47 Times in 19 Posts
Default

Thanks Gents, I will see if the seller will allow me to take pictures to post. I may have already burned a bridge when I pointed out the color difference though.

I have no problem with buying a cobbled revolver, but at a cobbled price.

Joeygun
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-28-2012, 06:07 PM
omie01 omie01 is offline
Member
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Blaine, MN
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I have a 29-2 that was made in 1976, its the nickel 8 3/8", I called S&W and they gave me the year of manufacture, you can maybe call them! And yes, I would only pay for what you are getting!
__________________
Omiedudeman
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-28-2012, 06:18 PM
john traveler john traveler is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: west coast
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times in 34 Posts
Default

It's common to encounter barrels, cylinders, and frames that have slightly different bluing.

The reason is that these components are polished separately as parts, and blued in batches, and hence the potential for slightly differently finishes.

Calling S&W will only give the shipping date of the revolver, not whether it was rebarrelled.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-28-2012, 07:44 PM
hanken's Avatar
hanken hanken is offline
SWCA Member
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
Liked 84 Times in 44 Posts
Default hanken

I bought a new model 27-2 in 1978 and the frame was the deep dark blue you see on most Smiths and the 6" barrell was lighter and had even a little grey hint to it.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-29-2012, 03:06 PM
Retired W4's Avatar
Retired W4 Retired W4 is online now
US Veteran
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta area
Posts: 8,801
Likes: 15,779
Liked 19,356 Times in 4,351 Posts
Default

If S&W changed the barrel there should be a mark under the left stock panel or a star by the SN. I'm not sure when and if S&W stopped using the star to indicate a rebuild or refinish. Some of my older guns have the star and the letter of authenticity does indicate that they went back to the factory. If the barrel has been changed, and changed by someone other that S&W it may not be marked at all.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-29-2012, 03:13 PM
Sebago Son's Avatar
Sebago Son Sebago Son is offline
Member
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sebago Lake, Maine, USA
Posts: 5,435
Likes: 6,726
Liked 6,724 Times in 1,862 Posts
Lightbulb

Quote:
Originally Posted by Retired W4 View Post
If S&W changed the barrel there should be a mark under the left stock panel or a star by the SN. I'm not sure when and if S&W stopped using the star to indicate a rebuild or refinish. Some of my older guns have the star and the letter of authenticity does indicate that they went back to the factory. If the barrel has been changed, and changed by someone other that S&W it may not be marked at all.
Let's just clear this up a little... A letter from the S&W Factory Historian, Mr. Roy Jinks WILL NOT indicate if the gun was returned for rework. It WILL however tell you the origional configuration when shipped.

By the time this 29 was built in the early 80's the practice of stamping rework data on the grip straps was largely discontinued.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-29-2012, 03:20 PM
kennyb's Avatar
kennyb kennyb is offline
SWCA Member
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,895
Likes: 736
Liked 1,208 Times in 737 Posts
Default

i'm guessing the differance in bluing color is somewhat of a plum color..this is common and is caused by a differance of temp.in the bluing salts
__________________
SWCA#2208
KK4EMO
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-29-2012, 03:48 PM
Retired W4's Avatar
Retired W4 Retired W4 is online now
US Veteran
29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please 29-2 assistance please  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta area
Posts: 8,801
Likes: 15,779
Liked 19,356 Times in 4,351 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebago Son View Post
Let's just clear this up a little... A letter from the S&W Factory Historian, Mr. Roy Jinks WILL NOT indicate if the gun was returned for rework. It WILL however tell you the origional configuration when shipped.

By the time this 29 was built in the early 80's the practice of stamping rework data on the grip straps was largely discontinued.
I guess what I should have said is there might be a mark on the grip straps. I have letters from Mr. Jinks stating the guns were returned to S&W for work, but I specifically asked about the star and dates on the grips. Mr. Jinks was not able to tell me what work was performed or when, only what those marks indicated. I can provide copies of these letters with those statements.

I appreciate the information as to approximately when the practice of stamping guns for that purpose was discontinued.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
jinks, millet, model 27

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Assistance please robray S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 10 04-25-2013 07:12 PM
Assistance jumbeaux FORUM OFFICE 0 04-16-2013 03:24 PM
M29-2 DOB Assistance Frizzman S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 2 02-06-2011 10:07 PM
ID Assistance Please! OLDFED S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 1 10-16-2010 07:05 PM
GOA and GOF Asking For Our Assistance oldfella The Lounge 0 12-16-2009 08:29 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:06 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)