I once owned a 29-2 nickel finish, 8 inch barrel in a presentation case. It had never been fired and I didn't shoot it either. It was beautiful! But, I sold it because I shoot all my firearms. I did replace the factory smooth grips with Altamounts target grips tho. I still have the smooth grips.
I've got three (3) in the vault that are way, way special to me and tons of others that I shoot on a weekly basis. The three (3) that have not been fired and for showing to a small select group of friends and for what ever reason, saying "It's never been fired" feels pretty good.
The Magna Classics were a nice run that the factory made. While the flatside combats are great looking grips (imo), they're more suited for shorter barrel guns. Congrats on a nice find.
Those Magna Classics were a special run in about 1990. I believe they were introducing the new endurance package. There were supposedly 1800 blue and 1200 bright stainless. I don't know if they all were made but the Standard Catalog mentions an overrun of 306 of these made in 1992. I assume yours has a 7 1/2" barrel. I have acquired a few more over the years but my first one is a shooter. The stocks didn't fit me either.
Did you commission the engraving and have provenance from the engraver?
Those Magna Classics were a special run in about 1990. I believe they were introducing the new endurance package. There were supposedly 1800 blue and 1200 bright stainless. I don't know if they all were made but the Standard Catalog mentions an overrun of 306 of these made in 1992. I assume yours has a 7 1/2" barrel. I have acquired a few more over the years but my first one is a shooter. The stocks didn't fit me either.
Did you commission the engraving and have provenance from the engraver?
Great questions.
I have original S&W letters documenting that a total of 3,000 units would be produced. 1,200 in "Bright Blue" and 1,800 in "Bright stainless steel". I also have the original S&W letters confirming that they (S&W) did the engraving (class C) as well as the S&W presentation case, seven inter-changeable front sights and yes, the pipe is 7-1/2". I also have copies of all the original purchase order and sales documents.
I'd never attempt to change out the front sights ... I don't replace light bulbs. A man's gotta know his limitations.
Doug - Beautiful revolver. My opinion? Like you said, you have plenty of guns to shoot. Why take an obvious collectors piece, and lower its value by shooting it? Its only test fired at the factory once in its life.
Of course you could shoot it, carry it hunting, do anything you might do with a normal revolver, its your gun, but I would keep it as is as a perfect example of S&W gun art, and not as a shooter.
Larry
Last edited by Fishinfool; 07-03-2020 at 05:15 AM.
Superb! A joy to the eyes. Shoot it? FWIW, I wouldn't. Such a revolver will not again be made by S&W and no other manufacturer would even try. So, I'd keep it, enjoy it, share it with family and friends. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.
It sure is a thing of beauty. Guns are no fun if you don't take them to the range! That being said, it would kill me to put a scratch on it. The stocks are not right for me either. If you decide to change them don't get rid of the stocks on it. Your SPECIAL gun came with them. S&W (real) target stocks could go on it and should feel much better better, or Herrett Target stocks if you decide to shoot it. Good luck with your decisions! Bob
I have original S&W letters documenting that a total of 3,000 units would be produced. 1,200 in "Bright Blue" and 1,800 in "Bright stainless steel". I also have the original S&W letters confirming that they (S&W) did the engraving (class C) as well as the S&W presentation case, seven inter-changeable front sights and yes, the pipe is 7-1/2". I also have copies of all the original purchase order and sales documents.
I'd never attempt to change out the front sights ... I don't replace light bulbs. A man's gotta know his limitations.
Thanks,
Doug
It's very interesting to me that the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson(4th Ed.)states 1800 blue Magna Classics and 1200 stainless Magna Classics were produced. You have documents stating the reverse numbers. I wonder which is correct??? I have certainly seen more stainless than blue.
Really nice revolver! Yes I'd shoot it a lot but only if I have 2 more in the safe that were NOS unfired. I agree on the grips, just don't do it for me., needs some nice Hogue wood.
Needs bone or Ivory grips.
Shoot it at least once and love it. Its high polish.
Bring a pistol rug to the range.
Mothers polish will make quick work of any stray scratches.
It's very interesting to me that the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson(4th Ed.)states 1800 blue Magna Classics and 1200 stainless Magna Classics were produced. You have documents stating the reverse numbers. I wonder which is correct??? I have certainly seen more stainless than blue.
Bob,
You are correct and I was wrong. I have all the original S&W documents and I went back and re-read them carefully.
The 1,800 figure applies to revolvers with even S/N's and were finished in "bright blue" - The 1,200 figure applies to odd serial numbers and were finished in bright stainless steel.
It's very interesting to me that the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson(4th Ed.)states 1800 blue Magna Classics and 1200 stainless Magna Classics were produced. You have documents stating the reverse numbers. I wonder which is correct??? I have certainly seen more stainless than blue.
Bob,
You are correct and I was mistaken! I got out all the original S&W documents and carefully re-read them. 1,800 units were manufactured in bright blue and contain even serial numbers.
1,200 units were manufactured in bright stainless steel and contain un-even serial numbers. Mine has a serial number of XXX9
Thanks for the head up and I apologize for the bad data!
No sweat Doug. I really had no idea which was correct as even the Standard Catalog is not free from errors. Smith & Wesson doesn't keep records as to how many of anything has been made. In addition, the Magna Classic special from 1990 has an added 306 guns made in 1992. I wonder if that last batch comes with the special goodies the first 3000 have. I would guess not.
Those grips are terrible for actual shooting. I put Herrett's Jordan Troopers on mine.
I put a set of Jordan Troopers on one of my 500 Mags, nasty stinging grips on that gun. Sold it to a forum member (haven't seen him here for a very long time) and I did inform him of my dislike for the grip. He liked it. Don
No sweat Doug. I really had no idea which was correct as even the Standard Catalog is not free from errors. Smith & Wesson doesn't keep records as to how many of anything has been made. In addition, the Magna Classic special from 1990 has an added 306 guns made in 1992. I wonder if that last batch comes with the special goodies the first 3000 have. I would guess not.
You have a beautiful gun. Enjoy it.
I had one of the Magna Classic overruns. It was a standard 629-3 Classic. Brushed finish, RRWO sights, S&W square butt conversion grip.
I had no idea what it was when I got it. The 7.5" barrel was the interesting part for me. Found the short blurb about the overruns in SCSW and promptly stopped shooting it. Sorta wish I still had it but it went to a friend to fill a gap in his collection.
Someone sure knows how to polish stainless steel. That's pretty.
I would have a hard time carrying that to the range for a shooting session.
In my mind guns are made to be sold. What the buyer does with it is his/her business.
Engraved 629 finally home!
Linear Mode
