This is my first post so I’m not sure what’s up but I am a big smith Wesson revolver fan. I have a question for my bro’s the experts here. I recently acquired a 629 no dash transitional revolver —recessed not pinned—. 80’s vintage or so I think. Anyway it wasn’t cheap but it is as new unfired with presentation case still in the original shrink wrap. I have the original box, wax paper, even the original shipping box with markings. Question is: should I open the shrink wrap or is it more valuable as is?
I know some will say just shoot the heck out of it but it is kind of a special piece. Shrink wrap on the walnut presentation case is what I am talking about. All paperwork and cleaning tools apparently are in the case. What you think?

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Shoot the gun, no reason not to

If you reload, brew up some warm Special loads in magnum cases and have at it. That's about as fun as shooting gets in my opinion.

The sealed presentation case might have a bit more value as-is, but I really don't know.

Nice gun you have there. Shoot it and enjoy it.

Thanks yea what I was thinking. It’s not like a work of art or something You’re right. I’ll just take it to the range

I'd shoot it since it's stainless steel. Much more forgiving and easier to clean up than if it was a model 29. I'd probably open the presentation case just to look inside to verify its all there and then put it up and not use it if it is in fact mint condition. You will hear lots of different answers. Do what you want!

Lovely! I wouldn’t shoot that, given the recent interest in older high condition S&W’s. You can get a decent shooter grade gun for under $1000 and that gun has real potential. You don’t see many complete packages in that condition.

Keep the presentation case as is. You shouldn’t store guns in them and they’re mediocre quality at best. The PC and the outer packaging (with end label) will substantially add to the value.

Just an FYI...
Keep in mind that the Combat stocks and presentation case were almost certainly added after the gun left the factory.

Click here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/redirec...em%2F888120450

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"I also cook."

as one who constantly checks nationwide Smith prices,I have found that unfired since factory guns bring a premium.No dash 629s are a pretty hot item.

Whether you shoot it or not is your decision. The presentation case shipped with your Model 629 has inserts with a synthetic covering that has mostly likely degraded badly and will need to be replaced if the case is to be used. Given that, I would not do anything to the presentation case.

Bill

I'd keep it as a safe queen too.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

Never have got my head around why somebody buys a decades old "safe queen" collector grade gun to turn into a shooter, when there are typically shooters available for the purpose.

Personally, I'd keep the display box sealed and just find/buy another set of the paperwork and tools that MIGHT be in the case and keep them in the cardboard box as a "just in case". For the money you already have invested, a few more bucks for what may end up being duplicate tools/paperwork is worth it to me. It would suck if the day you go to sell it and the buyer wants to open the case and there's nothing in there...there goes that price drop!

Invest a little more now and be shielded sgainst losses later on.

As for the gun...it IS a No Dash. I'd designate it a safe queen and go buy a used newer one that you can shoot the tarnation out of. And you could always have the extra tools and paperwork you bought to use for this newer gun.

Win/Win!

I will never buy a gun that I do not intend to shoot.

There is nothing in the case, no tools, no paper work, nothing! ! ! If you open the case you will be shocked! As Doc44 stated, the original covering of the liners did not(EVER) withstand the test of time! It deteriorated! I have recovered a gazillion of these liners and have own only one in original condition, until I touched it, then it fell apart!

Keep everything you have together as it left the factory that way! The total makes it a collectors item!
jcelect

I bought a ruger redhawk for that very purpose actually. It’s a good gun for my reloads but the trigger is noticeably inferior to my smiths I notice. Thanks for the advice.

I guess paperwork and tools went missing. Liner in the presentation case maybe shot for sure. Does anyone even use those? Case goes on shelf gun goes in safe lol.

A few years back, I came into a 629 no-dash, complete with the original cardboard box, papers and tools. This one is both pinned and recessed; Roy says it's vintage of September, 1981. There was no presentation box, so I found a nice one that wasn't the self-destructive type, and used that. Such gems really deserve a presentation box! I had the choice of either this 4" or a 6.5", but liked the 4" more. Turns out that was a good choice, as I understand that they are rarer. I have kept this gun unfired and with the original stocks.

John

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I have serial number N870287 that was purchases on 1/25/82. I had read in one of the gun magazines about two years earlier that they were coming out with a stainless model so I put in an order at Herman's World of Sporting Goods.

What I think happened was a manager at the store got the gun and later decided that he didn't want it.

It has a 6 inch barrel, RR, WO target, SmTT, TH, Pachmayr combat grips, recessed & pinned, and wood presentation box that is still in the shrink wrap.

S&wchad
Thanks for the link! Maybe I did get it cheap. Compared to that one anyway. His 4” barrel vs my 6” may add some. My gun’s stock has kind of an orange hue and the box (with wax paper in it) is solid blue with no writing on it. I’ve heard of others with orange stocks and solid blue box. Smith and Wesson do what they want as you know. Sometimes leaving us fans scratching our heads lol

Paladin that’s a beauty

Here’s a 29 for only $8000.00
Smith & Wesson Model 29 44 Magnum (circa1970) for sale

The solid blue box does not have any writing on it because it was packed inside the large cardboard box that had the label on it with the gun's information (serial number, model, etc.). The target stocks made of Goncalo alves are nice and are typical of the time your gun was made.

Bill

Here is a 629 no dash transitional recessed not pinned. It came in a blue box. It is wearing Culina black and white ebony grips. I have the original GA targets. I have toyed with the ideas of selling this or shooting it many times, but it keeps just sitting in the safe. Probably too lazy to find out the real value of it.

Sorry, for the picture turning

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Pete
We deal in lead ,friend

I wouldn't open the presentation box nor would I shoot the gun. As stated above the older S&W and especially the P&R are bringing premium prices these days. If you want to loose money just pull out a couple of $100 dollar bills and burn them. It's the same thing if you open the box and shoot the gun.
Could it be the plastic fantastic combat Tupperware crowd are starting to realize only guns made from United States Steele go up in value.

Some interesting info from factory letters;

The first production Model 629 had serial numbers that began N 629xxx these were basically test guns and guns for the writers. Although we shipped some of them to distributors such as Bill Orr’s company GT Dist. The first lot of 350 units were serial numbered from N748564-N748913. These were the first group produced for sales.
Production started at N748564 in 1979 with the 6” guns! The 4” and 8 3/8” were introduced in 1981. The –1 guns started in 1982 and approx at this time they changed to the Alpha-numeric serial numbering system.
jcelect