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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 08-02-2017, 02:35 PM
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Default 629-5 Mountain Backpacker Hidden bear

I have recently acquired a 629-5 mountain backpacker in almost new condition from the original owner. Interesting part is if you take it outside and hold it just right in the sun you can seen where it was once lightly laser engraved with a bear coming through the mountains and trees. Original owner said the gun was exactly in the same condition from when he got it new with no side plate engraving. My theory is that the original laser engraving was so light on most of these that S&W polished them off and only left a few that had a good burn on them for shipment. So if anyone out there has one of these could you take a look and see if you can make out the bear if your doesn't have one. Look at my picture to see what to look for.
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Old 08-02-2017, 04:01 PM
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Hey, that's pretty interesting! Thanks for the post and pix!
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Old 08-02-2017, 05:27 PM
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I have recently acquired a 629-5 mountain backpacker in almost new condition from the original owner.
Nice blaster!
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Old 08-03-2017, 12:41 AM
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Would be.nice to look at a different one to see if it's there. But with only 456 or so made will be hard to come across another.
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Old 08-03-2017, 04:01 AM
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That is an awesome "rare" 629. I've seen a 629-5 Mountain Gun with the bear.

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Old 08-03-2017, 07:47 AM
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Congratulations on the S&W 629 Backpacker. Interesting
Revolver.

You will have to give us a Range Report when
you go Target Shoot'n.

Thank you for sharing your Story and pictures.
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Old 08-03-2017, 08:51 AM
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I hadn't heard of that model before and had to look it up. Pretty cool.

This is the 500 version of that model.

[img]https://image.ibb.co/j4K**F/Mountain_Backpacker.jpg[/img]

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Old 08-03-2017, 01:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 629shooter View Post
That is an awesome "rare" 629. I've seen a 629-5 Mountain Gun with the bear.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
I have noticed the regular 629 4" mountain has a bear face coined (stamped) into the side plate. There is old Armslist add that shows the one I got with the engraving still on it and easily visable.
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Old 08-03-2017, 01:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigwheelzip View Post
I hadn't heard of that model before and had to look it up. Pretty cool.

This is the 500 version of that model.

[img]https://image.ibb.co/j4K**F/Mountain_Backpacker.jpg[/img]
Love the old school 4 screw side plate on that.
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Old 08-03-2017, 04:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xuout1 View Post
I have recently acquired a 629-5 mountain backpacker in almost new condition from the original owner. Interesting part is if you take it outside and hold it just right in the sun you can seen where it was once lightly laser engraved with a bear coming through the mountains and trees. Original owner said the gun was exactly in the same condition from when he got it new with no side plate engraving. My theory is that the original laser engraving was so light on most of these that S&W polished them off and only left a few that had a good burn on them for shipment. So if anyone out there has one of these could you take a look and see if you can make out the bear if your doesn't have one. Look at my picture to see what to look for.
629-5 Mountain Backpacker Hidden bear-img_20170706_115332039_hdr-jpg
I do like that gun. Wish I had one myself.

That said, I don't believe the original owner's story. That's too sorry a polish job on the sideplate to have come from the factory on a brand new gun. Note how the polishing marks end abruptly just above the top edge of the side plate. And those swirl marks are horrible. Looks to have been no attempt made to blend in the polished area with the rest of the gun. I believe someone started a polish job, saw that he was making a total mess of it, and just stopped. Or maybe they thought they'd done a good job, who knows? Either way, doesn't look factory to me.

That's a shame, too, because that's a nice gun.
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Old 08-03-2017, 05:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xuout1 View Post
I have recently acquired a 629-5 mountain backpacker in almost new condition from the original owner. Interesting part is if you take it outside and hold it just right in the sun you can seen where it was once lightly laser engraved with a bear coming through the mountains and trees. Original owner said the gun was exactly in the same condition from when he got it new with no side plate engraving. My theory is that the original laser engraving was so light on most of these that S&W polished them off and only left a few that had a good burn on them for shipment. So if anyone out there has one of these could you take a look and see if you can make out the bear if your doesn't have one. Look at my picture to see what to look for.
What is the product code and Spec Order Number on the box label for this 629-5 Mountain Backpacker?
Is it laser engraved on the right side of the barrel "Mountain Backpacker" ?

Is there any barrel porting?
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Old 08-03-2017, 06:10 PM
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The laser etching of the bear most likely looked like what's shown in this attached photo. Not my photo or gun, by the way.

Don't know why someone would want to try to polish it out.
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Old 08-03-2017, 07:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watchdog View Post
I do like that gun. Wish I had one myself.

That said, I don't believe the original owner's story. That's too sorry a polish job on the sideplate to have come from the factory on a brand new gun. Note how the polishing marks end abruptly just above the top edge of the side plate. And those swirl marks are horrible. Looks to have been no attempt made to blend in the polished area with the rest of the gun. I believe someone started a polish job, saw that he was making a total mess of it, and just stopped. Or maybe they thought they'd done a good job, who knows? Either way, doesn't look factory to me.

That's a shame, too, because that's a nice gun.
(response corrected to show respect for Watchdog I know he was trying to be helpful)
Actual the finish is nicer on this then my new 686. if u take a picture in the sun you will see every imperfection on the gun. if you look at it inside its almost a mirror finish. the finish on the side plate is exactly the same that covers the whole gun. This is a picture of the 629 with Altmont grips next to my 686 on this reply. And the finish is the same on both guns.
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Old 08-03-2017, 07:06 PM
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The only Mountain Backpacker I've found in the SCSW4 is a 629-3.

No mention of Bear etching on the side plate,only Mountain Backpacker on the right side of the barrel.

The Alaska and Alaskan Backpackers are different product codes
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Old 08-03-2017, 07:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watchdog View Post
The laser etching of the bear most likely looked like what's shown in this attached photo. Not my photo or gun, by the way.

Don't know why someone would want to try to polish it out.
Close but not the same engraving.
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Old 08-03-2017, 08:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watchdog View Post
I do like that gun. Wish I had one myself.

That said, I don't believe the original owner's story. That's too sorry a polish job on the sideplate to have come from the factory on a brand new gun. Note how the polishing marks end abruptly just above the top edge of the side plate. And those swirl marks are horrible. Looks to have been no attempt made to blend in the polished area with the rest of the gun. I believe someone started a polish job, saw that he was making a total mess of it, and just stopped. Or maybe they thought they'd done a good job, who knows? Either way, doesn't look factory to me.

That's a shame, too, because that's a nice gun.
Just took my 686 Smith outside in the sun and took a picture of it for you. Guess it must have been the same hooligans polishing this one out two 16 years latter. Or possibly just taking a picture out in the sun with a good high mgp camera.
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Old 08-03-2017, 08:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xuout1 View Post
just so you are not confused this is a picture of the 629 with Altmont grips next to my 686 on this reply. And yes the finish is the same on both guns just think you don't have much experience with guns and probably never looked at a stainless one outside in the sun .
I'm quite sure you're right. I'm obviously a neophyte when it comes to guns and I am easily confused. Getting old, I guess. I'm aware that my knowledge pales in comparison to that of gun gurus such as yourself.

I've actually made a screenshot of your post and printed it out. I'll tack it to my board next to my desk to remind myself to work harder at attaining a higher level of firearms knowledge. There's hope for me yet, I believe.

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Keep reading on this excellent web sight and you will learn quite a bit of information.
I sure hope I can learn some new stuff here. And hey, maybe if I hang out on this forum long enough, I'll learn how to spell "website". Whatcha think?

Thanks for setting me straight, Elmer.

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Old 08-03-2017, 08:17 PM
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just think you don't have much experience with guns and probably never looked at a stainless one outside in the sun . Keep reading on this excellent web sight and you will learn quite a bit of information.
Look at a few thousand of his posts and his photo galleries.

You may want to rethink your assessment.
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Old 08-03-2017, 08:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StakeOut View Post
What is the product code and Spec Order Number on the box label for this 629-5 Mountain Backpacker?
Is it laser engraved on the right side of the barrel "Mountain Backpacker" ?

Is there any barrel porting?
No porting on the barrel. Here is a picture of the end of the box. Im covering up the last digit of the serial number but as you can tell its only a two diget number. The first letters in the SER# stand for mountain backpacker and is a specialized number just for this series. oddly enough there is no mention in the standard book of S&W on these.
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Old 08-03-2017, 08:31 PM
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Sorry about the spelling I'm just a machinist and not a scholar and didn't realize you were a long time member. I can post more high definition pictures of other stainless guns out in the sun that I have if you still think I'm wrong or is one enough
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Old 08-04-2017, 12:16 AM
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The subject of this thread is the Mountain Backpacker, a 3-inch M629-5  product code 103693. These have a MBP s/n prefix and shipped in June of 2000.

The was an earlier gun call the Special Mountain Gun, which was a 4-inch M629-1, product code 103614, are known to have BAN s/n prefixes. These were sold by RSI who ordered (40) in September of 1998.
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Old 08-04-2017, 10:58 AM
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The SCSW4 lists the 3" 629-3 Mountain Backpacker on page 309 with the same product code.The 629-3 is a 1992-1993 production.

Was there a 629-3 Backpacker?

Is the book wrong,possibly a typo?Should it be 629-5 instead?
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Old 08-04-2017, 12:48 PM
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No porting on the barrel. Here is a picture of the end of the box. Im covering up the last digit of the serial number but as you can tell its only a two diget number. The first letters in the SER# stand for mountain backpacker and is a specialized number just for this series. oddly enough there is no mention in the standard book of S&W on these.
The book mentions your product code on page 309 but as a 629-3, left column , and in the list of product codes on page 310 with a picture on same page! It is an interesting pieces to identify properly! The Julian date on the end label indicates the same info given by the "Kernel".
FYI your serial number is under the bar code in your picture, uncovered!
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Old 08-04-2017, 12:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watchdog View Post
The laser etching of the bear most likely looked like what's shown in this attached photo. Not my photo or gun, by the way.

Don't know why someone would want to try to polish it out.
This is the only picture I have found of one that still has the bear on it. its a old Armslist add. ARMSLIST - For Sale: Smith & Wesson 629 3" Mountain Backpacker 44 Magnum w/ Grizzly Engraved
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Old 08-04-2017, 12:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcelect View Post
The book mentions your product code on page 309 but as a 629-3, left column , and in the list of product codes on page 310 with a picture on same page! It is an interesting pieces to identify properly! The Julian date on the end label indicates the same info given by the "Kernel".
FYI your serial number is under the bar code in your picture, uncovered!
jcelect
HA! Thanks for the heads up. I will try to take a new picture. Not really sure if it matters if my number is out there but better to be safe then sorry.
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Old 08-04-2017, 01:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcelect View Post
The book mentions your product code on page 309 but as a 629-3, left column , and in the list of product codes on page 310 with a picture on same page! It is an interesting pieces to identify properly! The Julian date on the end label indicates the same info given by the "Kernel".
FYI your serial number is under the bar code in your picture, uncovered!
jcelect
The picture on page 310 states 2 Alaskan Backpackers
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Old 08-04-2017, 01:38 PM
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The picture on page 310 states 2 Alaskan Backpackers
OOPS, I read the caption wrong! Does this mean a jarhead has better eye sight that a bubblehead? Thanks for your service Stakeout! ! ! !
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Old 08-04-2017, 02:08 PM
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OOPS, I read the caption wrong! Does this mean a jarhead has better eye sight that a bubblehead? Thanks for your service Stakeout! ! ! !
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I've made more than my share of those ooops and senior moments

BTW,I got new glasses 2 days ago.A bit more powerful than last years.

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Old 08-05-2017, 03:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcelect View Post
The book mentions your product code on page 309 but as a 629-3, left column , and in the list of product codes on page 310 with a picture on same page! It is an interesting pieces to identify properly! The Julian date on the end label indicates the same info given by the "Kernel".
FYI your serial number is under the bar code in your picture, uncovered!
jcelect
Picture of box fixed and re posted.
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  #30  
Old 08-07-2017, 03:19 PM
tacotime tacotime is offline
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I once had one of the subject MBP guns, 629-5, about 20 units away per the serial number shown. It had the very faint image of the bear that had apparently been buffed off. Pretty sure it came from the factory that way and I suspect these sideplates were leftover parts, buffed up for the MBP, possibly from the Alaska Backpacker.
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  #31  
Old 08-07-2017, 05:54 PM
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I no longer have this one, not sure which dash number it was. But it did NOT have a bear on the sideplate.



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Old 08-07-2017, 07:06 PM
xuout1 xuout1 is offline
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It's very hard to see. I didn't think I had one eather untill I took it outside to my gun range on a sunny day. Thanks tacotime for helping prove my theory on the hidden bear !
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Old 08-08-2017, 09:31 AM
tacotime tacotime is offline
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OK now these will turn out to be one of the holy grail S&W's now that I sold it years ago!

Best memory of this gun was the first day I had it in the field. Dusk, almost dark, walking from a far pasture to a cabin, my dog running in front of me about 30 yards, a large black cat appears out of the brush about 20 yards left, runs forward, was possibly thinking of going after the dog, then back into brush. I reached for the .44 and drew it and man was I glad I had it. Cat was completely silent. Dog never heard or saw him. Thought it was a black cougar. Later that week I saw a large bobcat in the woods that appeared black. In better light, it was actually dark grey. Later that evening I opened the 629 cylinder and was glad to see that fat cylinder and fat shells in there.
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Old 08-08-2017, 11:17 AM
xuout1 xuout1 is offline
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It will definitely go with me next time I'm up in the mountains huckleberry picking. Black bears like them to. Funny part is I went over to a guys house to buy a 27 from him and talked him out of this one instead once I saw it. Got it for a good price to.
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Old 01-17-2019, 08:18 PM
cardcatalog cardcatalog is offline
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Default S & W 629 - 5 Mountain Gun

I bought one of these some years back. It has the grizzly etching on the right side. The barrel length is four inches. With .44 magnum cartridges it is truly a hand cannon. I use .44 special cartridges now, and only have shot it about twenty four times. After reading this column it will be part of my permanent collection. I have the box and papers somewhere.
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Old 10-29-2019, 09:37 PM
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Mountain backpacker 629-5 was only a 3" barrel gun. You probably have a different version that looks very similar.
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Old 10-29-2019, 11:40 PM
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I’m pretty sure I have one. I’ll check tomorrow.
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Old 10-30-2019, 06:34 PM
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I found mine. At first I couldn't see any evidence of the bear coming over the mountain. Then when I turned it a certain way it magically appeared. I never knew it was there. Hard to get a decent photo but this one showed fairly well.


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Old 10-30-2019, 07:20 PM
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Just a for-what it's worth comment, I have a 629-6 Mountain Gun with 4" barrel. I got this from the original owner who says he never did anything to it. I believe that cuz it needed a good cleaning when I got it. Anyway, I have looked at the sideplate from every angle and in all kinds of light conditions, and can see NO signs of a bear. It does have the fine scratches like the pictures posted here, but no bear.
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Old 04-03-2020, 01:04 AM
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It's only on the 3" mountain backpacker.
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Old 04-03-2020, 08:02 PM
HOUSTON RICK HOUSTON RICK is offline
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If you are not careful, you can learn something everyday here. Thanks for posting.
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Old 04-20-2020, 01:04 PM
DuncanLlywellyn DuncanLlywellyn is offline
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Default 629-5 with a bear

So I was doing some research and came by the conversation. Thought I would add mine because I can see the bear just fine. The only wear is from the holster rubbing off the wording at the end near the barrel where it says "Alaska Backpacker".

It also appears that each version has a different laser bear mark or none at all? Could this be some guys at the shop having fun?
Mine has a 3 digit serial. Like only 3 stamped numbers, nothing else.
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Old 04-20-2020, 03:16 PM
THEmodelof1989 THEmodelof1989 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigwheelzip View Post
[img]https://image.ibb.co/j4K**F/Mountain_Backpacker.jpg[/img]
My wife is always trying to get me to buy one of these because she thinks "those little paw prints are just so cute".
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Old 04-20-2020, 03:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by THEmodelof1989 View Post
My wife is always trying to get me to buy one of these because she thinks "those little paw prints are just so cute".
Makes perfect sense to me.

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