Model 29 no dash, 8 inch

[jrmyleo]

I got this on a trade (SIG P320 X5 Legion) and would like to know possible value as well as date of manufacture. S# is S216689. The gun is in excellent condition, but it does have a cylinder ring. Picture doesn't do it justice. And obviously the box is a bit rough.

Thanks!

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[series guy]

Your gun dates to 1960-61. Very nice!

[cmansguns]

That 29 no dash according to SCSW 4th serial numbers as 1960 to 1961. 1960-1961= S 207000 - S219999. The barrel length would be 8-3/8". As your pic shows the gun appears in good- excellent condition so "value" just by the book method might be about $1,200 to $1,600 (gun alone). There are a couple caveats with the grips being the big one! The Model 29 was first introduced in December 1955. From 1956 to 1965 the 44 Magnum shipped with "coke" bottle grips (known as such by collectors for their shape of the palm swell). My information comes directly from SCSW 4th but if your grips are indeed "cokes" then by themselves they bring $750 to $1,000, and accordingly, if a previous owner has stripped off the cokes and replaced with post 1965 N frame targets, your gun may be worth an appropriate amount less.

Check the number of grooves on the backstrap as the early Model 29 and the S prefix had 6 grooves vs the later 10.

Regarding the wooden case.....your picture threw me for a moment because the way you photo'd it with gun actually resting on the lid instead of the base, I thought the gun was pointing to the right, of which the cases were basically around 1980 and were plastic blow molded liners, then flocked, like mine shown below.

When I realized that yours actually points left then your case appears correct for the 1960 era, being what's called clamshell and basically Styrofoam then flocked. As you said...yours is not in good condition, and lacking tools (SAT and mop) and I am not sure what the "extra" square cutout was for (spare cylinder, different Model???), but there are other real full time experts that are on this Forum (Doc44 for example) that have made the Model 29 their specialty and have authored books about just this gun.

Hopefully one or more of the real experts will be along and get you some better info and more comments.

As for my humble opinion for your whole package as described by you I would say current value in the $1,500 to $1,800 range.

[jrmyleo]

Thank you for such a detailed response! I will definitely look into the coke bottle grips as well as the grooves when I get home today.

[Doc44]

Your Model 29 most likely dates to 1961. It has the correct stocks and the tangs will have ten grooves. The mahogany presentation case is also correct as are the cleaning rod and brush. I would value the total package at around $2500.

Bill

[jrmyleo]

Wow, that was completely unexpected. I knew I wanted a model 29 so I posted an ad to trade my Sig X5 Legion, and someone said that they would trade straight across with me. I almost feel bad now!

[jrmyleo]

Here's a couple more photos. I can't tell if the grips are the "cokes"

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[Wildwest22]

They are, and very nice ones

[jrmyleo]

Originally Posted by Wildwest22

They are, and very nice ones

Cool, thank you.

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[oysterer]

Originally Posted by jrmyleo

Wow, that was completely unexpected. I knew I wanted a model 29 so I posted an ad to trade my Sig X5 Legion, and someone said that they would trade straight across with me. I almost feel bad now!

You should! You should have traded the X5 for the grips alone.

[hkcavalier]

I think I need to have a talk with the other party. He or she sounds like someone I can pull the, "Trade two twenties for a ten?" trick on until I get rich.

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

Look to Guns International.In that condx, I wouldnt be at all surprised to see yours at $3000.

[oysterer]

I have no followed this thread in great detail but I do not like the look of the second grips picture...too light, maybe a asian repro?

[jrmyleo]

Originally Posted by oysterer

I have no followed this thread in great detail but I do not like the look of the second grips picture...too light, maybe a asian repro?

Is there any way to confirm?

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[weatherby]

Originally Posted by jrmyleo

Is there any way to confirm?

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Lots but don't sweat it they are absolutely factory Cokes.
The verdigris on the medallions is a fairly dead give away among them.

[jrmyleo]

More pics

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[Doc44]

Goncalo alves varies greatly in color and figure. The stocks on your Model 29 are absolutely original S&W stocks. I have a pair of stocks from early 1956 that is very light (see photo below).

Bill

[M29since14]

That’s a beautiful old Model 29! If you’re going to fire it, please don’t abuse it with anything heavier than 240-250 grain ammunition. And although you already received “the last word,” so to speak, from Doc44, I agree - no doubt in my mind about the stocks. Very nice package! Congrats!

[jrmyleo]

Thanks for all of the help and advice! Not sure I want to shoot it or not yet, may need to purchase another one as a shooter. The condition is prestine except for the cylinder line so I may just keep it as a collector.

Again thanks for sharing all of your knowledge, I really appreciate it!

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[oysterer]

Thanks for the closeups of the grips, it was just too good looking to be true!

I have to say after many years on this forum this had to be the best trade deal I have ever seen. A plastic tuppermeister for this early 29 long tube in the box. Truly breathtaking.

[oysterer]

Originally Posted by jrmyleo

Thanks for all of the help and advice! Not sure I want to shoot it or not yet, may need to purchase another one as a shooter. The condition is prestine except for the cylinder line so I may just keep it as a collector.

Again thanks for sharing all of your knowledge, I really appreciate it!

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Owning it w/o shooting is pointless for me. I would not recommend blasting boxes full of Normas through it and I am not sure if you reload, but getting into reloading solves that problem.Get a bit of brass, a rock chucker and make light easy loads in 44 special. Use a set of pachmayers if you want to save the grips and shoot it all day long with 1/2 power 44s. No ill effect of the action, frame, forcing cone etc and lots of fun.

[jrmyleo]

Originally Posted by oysterer

Owning it w/o shooting is pointless for me. I would not recommend blasting boxes full of Normas through it and I am not sure if you reload, but getting into reloading solves that problem.Get a bit of brass, a rock chucker and make light easy loads in 44 special. Use a set of pachmayers if you want to save the grips and shoot it all day long with 1/2 power 44s. No ill effect of the action, frame, forcing cone etc and lots of fun.

Ok, I'd do that. I dont reload so I'd probably just do lighter loads or 44 special. Thanks.

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[M29since14]

Modern .44 Magnum ammunition with 240 grain bullets loaded to approximately 1200 FPS shouldn’t do any harm to your gun, given any “reasonable” amount of use. The bane of early .44s was/is the heavier than standard bullets. I’d stick with US-brands, and take care to keep the gun clean and operating freely. JMHO, FWIW.

Very nice revolver you’ve got there. Hope it brings you much enjoyment.

[series guy]

I shoot my pre Model 29 a lot. I enjoy looking at it,loading it, shooting it, and cleaning. It has a totally different feel than a new gun. I also shoot it with the original grips. Why wax elequently about the fit and feel of the "coke" grips and then not use them. The whole package is what makes these old guns so wonderful. That said my handloads run a little over 800fps so I'm pretty easy on the gun.

[Hawg Rider]

You may want to be careful if shooting full power .44 Magnum cartridges while your Model 29 is wearing the Cokes. There are many, many examples of chipped CB stocks (behind the trigger guard) from the recoil...I've had a pair repaired/refinished for that reason, and even our resident stock repair expert (DWFan) recommended to me that I use Pachmayrs, Hogues, or some other less valuable set of stocks when shooting. Just my 2 cents.

[series guy]

Hence the light handloads.