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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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Old 10-12-2018, 04:02 PM
notsofast notsofast is offline
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Default Mod29-2, 5” barrel from factory?

Could a Model 29-2 come from S&W new with a 5” barrel?
If I found one in this configuration was it an after purchase modification? Thanks
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Old 10-12-2018, 05:16 PM
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Sometime in the distant past the H.H. Harris company had a special order of 5” 29’s made.
Someone more knowledgeable will be able to fill in the details.
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Old 10-12-2018, 05:33 PM
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There were definitely factory 5" model 29s, many of which shipped to H.H. Harris in Chicago and sometime into the 1960s (the 29-2 era). A serial number or age estimate would help but a letter of authenticity would prove it.
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Old 10-12-2018, 07:03 PM
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H.H. Harris ordered 500 5" .44 Magnums in 1958. If anyone knows exactly how many were shipped to him, it would be Doc44. However, they were shipped over a period of several years, I believe up to around 1965, to include -2s.

I have a 29-2, serial number S231xxx, that shipped to H.H. Harris in 1962, I think.

There are a number of 5" model 29s out there that have cut barrels, or replacement barrels, as there were some barrels that were later available.

There have also been a couple of .44 Magnums lettered that were shipped before the H.H.Harris order.

They usually sell for big money. It is advisable to have a letter or assurances from Roy before laying out big bucks for one that may not be an original.
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Old 10-12-2018, 07:46 PM
notsofast notsofast is offline
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Thanks all for the info
I have a number from the yoke... N 3071xx
Don’t know if this is a “production number” or serial # as I have not seen the bottom of the butt

Last edited by notsofast; 10-12-2018 at 09:22 PM.
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Old 10-13-2018, 12:36 AM
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If that number is on the frame under the yoke, along with the 29-2 model number, then it would be the serial number and a mid 70s gun. Much later than any shipped 5 inch that I am aware of.
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Old 10-13-2018, 07:42 AM
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Is it for sale? At a shop?
If the price is good enough I'd buy it.
If the price is way above average I'd have to see a letter.
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Old 10-13-2018, 08:25 AM
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N3071XX is the serial number and dates the Model 29-2 to around 1976. It is unlikely the barrel is original as the last Model 29-2 with a 5-inch barrel was shipped in 1973 and has serial number N75847. It was a special order for a factory employee. Generally, the the last of the Model 29-2s with a 5-inch barrel were shipped in 1963 with a few shipped in 1964. A photo of the 29-2 with its barrel would help with the evaluation.

Bill
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Old 10-13-2018, 08:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44 View Post
N3071XX is the serial number and dates the Model 29-2 to around 1976. It is unlikely the barrel is original as the last Model 29-2 with a 5-inch barrel was shipped in 1973 and has serial number N75847. It was a special order for a factory employee. Generally, the the last of the Model 29-2s with a 5-inch barrel were shipped in 1963 with a few shipped in 1964. A photo of the 29-2 with its barrel would help with the evaluation.

Bill
I've seen pictures of the gun, and agree the date of the frame is past the date the 5"ers were ordered. The barrel very much appears unaltered. My money is on a Model 544 barrel wound into to a mid 70's 29-2 frame. If I'm not mistaken the 544 bores measured .429 instead of the true .427 .44/40, and thus would make a great 5" .44 Mag.

Strike the 544 notion. The barrel marking are incongruent with those of the 544. Looks factory roll marked in the right places....front sight base looks integral and has not been moved.....

Last edited by SLT223; 10-13-2018 at 12:45 PM.
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Old 10-13-2018, 09:40 AM
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I have 2 5" N frames, if it's not original, but at a good price, buy it for a shooter. Can't go wrong with a 5" N frame.
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Old 10-13-2018, 12:45 PM
notsofast notsofast is offline
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Do model 544 barrels have specific barrel stampings to set them apart from 44 magnums? And if so would all 544 barrels identify themselves with this specific marking?
Thanks
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Old 10-13-2018, 06:19 PM
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Do model 544 barrels have specific barrel stampings to set them apart from 44 magnums? And if so would all 544 barrels identify themselves with this specific marking?
Thanks
Yes.

Educate me on the model 544
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Old 10-13-2018, 08:00 PM
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I gotta think that the commemorative re-issues were the 544 5” barrels which had model specific stampings... could be wrong though. Did early or first run 544’s have the “decorated” 5” barrels? And if not what would they have read?
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Old 10-13-2018, 08:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notsofast View Post
I gotta think that the commemorative re-issues were the 544 5” barrels which had model specific stampings... could be wrong though. Did early or first run 544’s have the “decorated” 5” barrels? And if not what would they have read?
544's have unique markings, which is why I posted the link (also reference page 294 of SCSW 4th Edition). Compare pictures in the link to what you are looking at. I now seriously doubt it's a 544 barrel. I don't know how to explain the existence of the barrel, or the gun given the date range of the serial number. Definitely, outside the known range for factory 5" guns, as previously stated by the resident .44 expert.
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Old 10-14-2018, 12:45 AM
notsofast notsofast is offline
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Ignore this thread, it was never really started and I was never really here...
LOL
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