I received a phone call today concerning this gun.

The selling dealer has informed me that a quantity of guns were
stolen from the original owner and sold to their shop.

It has just now come to light that they were stolen, many
months after the fact.

The seller is refunding the full purchase price so it will be
a wash for me.

I enjoyed owning it for the time I had it.

I will be shipping it back with no regrets, glad that the
rightful owner has it in his possession once again.

I have already contacted Mr. Jere Davidson in Virginia
to engrave me one of my very own this coming year.


End of story, ,


Allen Frame 12/23/2014

I finally received my Kurac stocks for the 629.

I chose the English walnut because I felt the light
wood and the dark figuring would compliment the
dark background in the engraving and set off the whole gun.





































Once I found the engraved 629 I knew I would have to have a
proper belt holster for it.


S&W - Smith and Wesson 629 Custom Engraved 45 Colt : Revolvers at GunBroker.com



So I commissioned Don of D.H. Holsters here in Fort Lauderdale
to create one for me.

We discussed form and function and came up with the following;

Straight cant. Strong side for me (right).
Cylinder to ride above the belt line so I could sit or stand comfortably.
And I wanted all parts of the gun to be covered to protect it from
being bumped or scratched.

Oh, and we decided on Stingray spine, to match my 1911
holsters and my wallet.























It tucks well into the body, and for such a large gun rides very
comfortably.











Not the greatest shot, but a nice pair of glass top presentation cases
for the engraved 6 1/2 inch and the to be engraved 3 inch.
























They do look pretty 'Classic' and I am a big fan of Magnas.












( Don't forget to use the Ctrl and + buttons to enlarge the photos for
a better look. Use the Ctrl and - buttons to make screen normal size again.)
































































Good Luck

Allen frame

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

I like it too. I like the gold accents at both ends of the barrel and along the cylinder flutes. I like that it's eclectic, both old-fashioned and modern at the same time. Modern stainless steel frame, red dot optics, and rubber grips contrasted with old-fashioned .45 Colt caliber in a six-shooter with nice engraving. There will be some that say it should have wood, ivory, horn, or pearl grips and should lose the red dot optics and that opinion would be with it's merits but, "Nay, Nay" I say. It has it's own sense of class the way it sits. It looks like the red dot optic co-witnesses with the front sight - Nice! Old School Cool and Modern Marvel all in one.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

p.s. The engraving looks super nice to me.

Thank you scoundrel.
I will say, the first thing to go will be the rubbers, replaced
with the finest Spegels, Kuracs, Culinas, or Keith Browns I can afford.

And I have a shooter that will get the red dot sight.

Regards,

Allen

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Oh man. That is one stunning 629. The body work is amazing and we all know you have a soft spot for those 45lc's so I can't say i'm not terribly surprised. I think you did good. A beautiful piece. Question is are you going shoot it?

Enjoy,

scott

Allen, the price is only insane to someone who doesn't appreciate the item in question. A lot of us would consider almost $100,000 for a mere automobile insane but high-end cars and SUVs are sold every day.

About four months ago, I bit the bullet and paid $1,400 for a 1 of 500 686-3 National Match. The fact that it was on GunBroker for several months without being purchased suggests that none of those watching the many auctions it was in felt the gun was worth more than $1,394, as that was the highest bid placed during those auctions. One day, I decided to see if the seller's reserve amount was $1,400 - lo and behold, it was and no one else bid, also suggesting that $1,400 was considered excessive. But you know what? I'm happy and that's all that matters.

I know you feel the same.

Ed

Well, is it a mis marked 625 or a rechambered 629? Very nice either way.

Would you have paid $3,001 if they had cleaned the nail polish smudged on the front sight off?

The engraving is well done and tasteful. I like the "old school" style. I don't think the price was unreasonable when you consider all the work that went into that revolver.

I wonder how far the engraving extends under the grips. I doubt the engraver expected those Hogues were going to be the long term grip on that gun. He knew grips are a personal thing and the ultimate owner would be making that choice.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Allen,
You're taunting us. So you're going to take something very interesting and make it drop-dead gorgeous? If you post pictures of the described changes I hope you're ready to reimburse those of us who will have our keyboards crash with drool.
John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

It is a re chambered 629.
The tip off to me was the way the crown is cut.
Almost looks like a Mag na Port job but less of an angle.
Also, the original 629-4 barrel was laser or acid etched with the
caliber and Smith&Wesson on the sides of the barrel.
A replacement barrel would be roll stamped.

The man who commissioned this work had it done
Exactly as I would have if I had wanted to build a
one hole gun in 45 Colt.

I definitely will be shooting this one.


My price breakdown of an exact replacement is as follows;

629-4 Magna Classic . . . . . . . ... . ... .. . . . . . .. . . . . $800-$1000.
This is the one with the interchangable front sight,
and all acid etch markings which makes it a perfect
stainless donor for full engraving.

Caliber conversion with master action package. . . . . . . . . . . .. .$600.-$800.
( chamber throats are .4515 )

Engraving by Jere Davidson. Just a guess. . . ... . .. . . . .. . $1000. - $1300.

SO ,,, between $2400. and . $3100.


Anyone with info on engraving prices your input would be appreciated.

Thanks

Allen

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

It goes all the way to the grip frame - no interruptions. Super nice and complete. Scroll down through all the pictures in the link to the listing.

John

See all the auction pictures with grips removed.
It is full coverage.

Regards
Allen

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Well worth the money for the work that went into it! The ones that will say it is way too much would think nothing of spending the same amount on a custom 1911. Absolutely beautiful, it deserves the nicest Keith Browns you can afford.

Not insane when you consider what folks are asking/getting for Pythons and other Colts and they're not engraved. Now that's insane!!!

That is spectacular - I enjoyed looking at it. I'm sure you'll more than enjoy owning it! Congrats!

Is it a replacement barrel or was the original re bored

That is the original barrel that was opened out to .45 cal.

Allen

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Have thought about opening up older 29s more than once. The engraving? Nice.

Awaiting range report! Thinking it could be surprisingly accurate with a bit of dialing in loads.

Beautiful....you will enjoy that one.
Especially like the gold thread inlay, very similar to the $80k engraved 629 posted recently.

For some reason Im picturing it wearing Ivory.

The gold inlay is a nice touch.

I just mailed a bank check for $2185 today.
Hooo. That was a rush.
All the money I have besides gas and groceries.


Anyone want to buy a 696 no dash?
I need $850. to complete the deal.

Allen

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

I also picture it in Ivory, but any way you go, it's a fantastic revolver. I think $2k would be closer on that engraving based on the limited pricing I've done.

Super sweet revolver

Gents,

I appreciate the votes for Ivory.
But I am favored for Ivory on blued guns.

I am thinking a very dark wood. Ebony maybe.
And Kurac has already been commissioned to create the
unique stocks to grace this fine gun.

Thanks
and Good Luck

Allen

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Such a beautiful revolver deserves the finest wood you can find for it. If I owned it I would try different woods placed next to it ranging from very light Birdseye Maple to medium toned crotch Walnuts to radically striped East Indian Rosewoods and Ebony.

Beautifully engraved handguns like yours have a personality all their own. It's surprising how a choice can change when the woods are placed right next to the firearm. Sometime the simplicity of the color and figure of the wood enhances the firearm and vice-versa with the firearm enhancing the wood..

What a wonderful opportunity you have to work with Kurac on stocks appropriate for this gun. That revolver deserves much more than a casual choice of wood, color and figure. Just a guess but I'd bet you'd chose something lighter than Ebony.

Just my .02

__________________
Terry

Kurac and I have decided on Ziricote wood with what he calls
'landscape figure' . Finger combats with medallions.
I cant wait to see them.

I am half way there on the balance of the payment after selling
of all things, ammunition.

Regards
Allen frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

That is one of, if not THE most GORgeous wheel guns I have ever laid eyes on. The seller did well to post so many pics.
Great catch Allen.

That is the nicest engraved 629 I have ever seen. I agree that it deserves some really nice spegels. If you are serious about selling your 696 I will take it. signed 44 old duffer

IMHO You did good. It would cost more than you paid to have one bilt like that today.

There's only a "quote" and "like" button, no "Wow!" button. Wow. Joe

__________________
Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Go with real ivory.I am on the fence to get my 629-4 5" engraved.Pics of one my engraved Colts with ivory grips.photo 4i.jpg

photo 1i.jpg

photo 2i.jpg

Have to agree with the ivory for my tastes.

That truly is a work of art!

Congrats!

Photos added 9/9/2014.

I will shoot it as time permits and add a range report.

The chamber throats will take a .452 pin gauge but not a .453.


This thing is beautiful.

Regards

Allen Frame

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Wow again. Great looking piece of artwork is really what it is. And it shoots to boot. Glad it finally came in, you had to wait. I compared waiting for a gun to get in your hands is like waiting on Christmas mourning for your Parents to get up before diving in under the tree. Great pictures also

Awesome...Just Awesome.Do You know who did the Caliber conversion? I love the fact that you are going to shoot it

A 629 in .45 Colt...the perfect caliber!

Beauty of a handgun. You'll be the center of attention.

__________________
No good deed goes unpunished.

Allen ... Your calculations are accurate, and when broken down that way, $3K is a very realistic price for such a fine revolver. Enjoy!

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I'm with the banned ...

Family heirloom piece.

Sure is purty.....
Ultimate BBQ gun!

No idea who did the caliber conversion.

It is my understanding that the gentleman who sold the collection
to the Vinsons was quite elderly and gave no details.

The mechanical specs on this gun surpasses any encountered on
any of my factory 625s.

Regards

Allen

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Allen:

That level of engraving from the factory would be north of $3K. Add another $500 to $800 for the gold work. Very nice gun - you did fine!

Bob

all i can say is wow that was done in fine taste

Holster added to original post .

Good luck

Allen Frame

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

That Stingray is sweet Allen. From what I've heard, pretty tough too. Nice holster for a beautiful gun.
Mark

__________________
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

As the old saying goes, "You can't beat that with a big stick!"

VERY nice...

Kurac stocks added and the stingray holster.

Now the package is complete.

Good luck

Allen Frame

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

After seeing a few pictures; when you mentioned 'holster" the picture that popped into my head (not that you care...LOL) was a half-flap, cross-draw... to protect and allow a easier draw......

Anyway sweeeeeeet.......like me I know you are a Spegel fan......but I really like those grips ....... factory combats never seem to fit my hand (Spegel's do) ....... did Kurac make those "combat''s to fit "your" hand ????

Holy Smokes, buddy, beautiful piece.
I would have done a floral holster myself, but you can't really go wrong with that.

Always a hard decision to pick the right grips for a special gun but I believe you nailed this one! As usual, thanks for sharing.

__________________
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Lucky me, I got to handle this beauty in person. It's better looking than pic can show.

The trigger is perfect. What a great conversion!

Thanks, Now I want to shoot it.

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Dum vivo cano