I have two Model 29's I have owned for many years. Local "experts" disagree on the originality of both. Both have TT,TH, white outline rear sights and red front sight insert. Both have 29 no dash with serial numbers preceded by "S". The 8 3/8 inch gun is S 193xxx, the 6 1/2 inch S 198XXX. The "experts" think Smith did not put red inserts in the front sights. Also there is some question whether these are pre 29's. Both are 4 screw guns. Conditions are excellent and are in the original mahogany cases with the blue foam lining. Can anyone tell me the dates of manufacture and are these more valuable than the (-) guns?
Thanking all you "real experts" in advance.

If the firearm is marked 29 under the crane, then it is a Model 29.

If there are no markings there then it is a 44 Magnum. These were introduced in 1956, the year before Smith and Wesson changed from using names to using Model numbers

S193xxx would have been manufactured in 1959 and should be marked as a Model 29

S198xxx would have been manufactured in late 1959 or early 1960 and would have been marked as a Model 29

Factory Historical letters would give you the date that these left the factory and who they were shipped to

Colt gave you most of the story. The normal configuratuion of the Model 29 (Pre and Post Model number) Is target hammer, target trigger, target stocks, red ramp front, and white outline rear. We have seen a number of variations but this was standard unless ordered differently.

Thanks guys for the rapid response. The main issue was the red ramp front sight which both agree is factory. Thanks again

Condition being equal, 4-screw 44 Magnums are generally worth more than the -2 model variation, but worth less than the -1 model variation which is considered scarce to rare for this model.

Assuming the "clamshell" style cases are original to your Model 29s, it is likely both were shipped in the first half of 1960, which would be consistent with their serial numbers.

Bill

You need new experts 'cause them are not ones....on second thought, that 6.5 is fake as a $8 bill...want to sell it? If it says 29, it's not a pre-29 but a 4 screw 29 no dash which is still a damn fine gun. Like the others said not as desirable as a .44 Magnum "pre 29" but more so than any of the dashes other than -1. Earl

Thanks Earl. You guys are so helpful and rapid with your responses.