So I have in my possession a very clean ( maybe unfired) Mod 29-3 Silhouette model with 10 5/8" barrel. The gun pretty much follows the rules in the Standard Catalog of S&W BUT for the serial number. The book states -3 production ran in 1983-1988. It also says that the first guns were N prefix. Serial Number reference in the back of the book shows 1983 N serial numbers beginning at 932101. The book goes onto say that the first prototype was serial number N905892. (All good so far.)

So here is where I'm a bit confused. The gun I have has a serial number of 9050xx. That puts it well before the prototypes serial number and into 1981 for serial number range. I guess it could be a rebarrel of an earlier gun but my gut is that it's an original silhouette as everything else follows the description to a T.
Thoughts appreciated

p.s. Any idea on value for gun alone with no box or papers ? (Have visited gunbroker but they are all over the place on this model.)

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Dave

If original, yours was probably produced after the first recorded serial number, even though it has an earlier SN. A common occurrence with S & W.

Aside from the barrel and the super tall "slide" (rear sight leaf), I think a standard model 29-3 is the same gun, so if you are super curious a letter of authenticity would confirm it is authentic. Original nice examples are going in the $1K range.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thank you Sir. I didn't realize that the frame serial numbers could be all over the place like that. I'll be selling the gun shortly so won't bother with a letter.

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Dave