Going through some of my S&W "paper" recently, I came across (re-discovered ) this photo of Ronald Reagan's M29. The photo was in a stack of brochures/flyers/docs I received from a former Salesman that worked for S&W up til ~1990ish timeframe. A buddy of mine connected us about 15 years back and he was kind enough to provide his collection of stuff. This flyer was in a folder, but no info provided. Being that he worked for the factory, I'm sure that the photo is an official factory photo, likely taken after the embellishments were done but before it was presented. If you note the photography style, the gun appears to be sitting on a glass surface, you can see the reflection of the gun against the blue background. I mention this since the factory was using this style of photography for some factory flyers/catalogs in the late 80's - early 90's timeframe.
Beyond that, I don't know much about it, but believe the gun is probably at the Reagon Library, if anyone has seen it and can share info on it, that would be great.
Last comment, in my photo it appears to be a post-pinned gun but I can't be sure, so I'm posting it here for your viewing pleasure...

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.............SmithNut

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.............SmithNut

Double WOW!
I would be honored just to hold it once.

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Dick

You are right about the post P&R. The gun is a 29-3 silhouette as can be distinguished by the adjustable front sight and the 10 5/8"(?) barrel.

Pretty cool gun.

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C M Brier CPA, CIA, CFE

Very interesting to see!

Thanks for a neat post and a beautiful picture!
Don

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OGCA Life
NRA Life

COOL!

This 29-3 is one of the nicest engraved 44 Magnums I have seen a photo of. The Silhouette Model with a 10 5/8-inch barrel and adjustable front sight was first offered in 1983, so it does not have a barrel pin or counterbored chambers. It is on display at the Reagan Presidential Library.

Bill

Curtis & Bill,
Thanks for the info. Believe it or not, all the time I've looked at this I've actually missed the Silouette front sight! Really, the gun is so stunning I just missed it. Agree, definitely wouldn't be pinned - ughh!

Thanks again, know this is technically the wrong area, but thought you all would enjoy it.

Regards,

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.............SmithNut

You can also tell by the gap between the cylinder and recoil shield that it is post pinned. Nice looking gun.

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jj

Thanks for posting the picture. That is one beautiful pistol.

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Kevin in Oregon

SmithNut,

Thanks for sharing this picture of President Reagan's model 29. I was at the library 2 years ago and don't recall seeing this among the few firearms displayed at that time. Maybe it was in storage or I simply could have missed it. Thanks again.

Thanks for sharing a great gun of a great President with us. I wonder which S&W engraver did the work?

Nice gun, was it just a one of a kind? Bet they could have sold a few of them.

Great pic.
Surely they did a writeup about it somewhere....

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

SmithNut,

Wouldn't you love to see the letter on this gun?

Absolutely Wayne!

It's my understanding that one can get a letter with a serial number, lots of folks have done that in the past, so if anyone does see this gun and can get s/n info that would sure be an interesting project.

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.............SmithNut

Great looking 29. One of his kind. Thanks for the pic, Rob.
Dave

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...Requiescat In Pace...

That is definately Ronald's Ray Gun. Could have used it in the Star Wars defense system.

Don't see one of those every day, interesting and beautiful.

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the pic!

Yes, it would also be interesting who had the honor of working on that fine piece of our history and heritage. Beautiful firearm.

Sounds like a job for Sip! He is probably geographically the closest to the library. Maybe he knows somebody that knows somebody...

Wow! Thank you for the posts.

Our Governor, and President, certainly accomplished quite a bit.

His family can be proud. And they were the last to live in the old Governor's mansion in downtown Sacramento. Right off the street. I'm sure there were some interesting times then.

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July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909

I have seen pictures of that revolver before, but have always wondered, why was the silhouette model selected? The model certainly lacks grace and elegance, so I assume President Reagan wanted that particular gun, for some reason. A great mystery... unless one of you knows the answer, and cares to share it.

In the early '80s my pal Tom and I were fortunate enough to have gone through the advanced class at The Chapman Academy with some of President Reagan's Secret Service detail. The only hand-gun they told stories about the President shooting was his Gyro-Jet. He may have used others, but I think the Gyro-Jet made an impression on them because they'd have to run and stomp out the brush fires it often ignited!

/b

speak for yourself

Thanks for letting us see this. I had no idea such a gun existed.

I remember the Reagan gun on a personal level. Russ Smith and myself did the engraving. I also have this photo framed in my shop. I could tell you some interesting factoids about this gun.

I also have my original sketches for this project. The President loved this gun.

I would like to hear the"interesting factoids" about this gun. Anybody else?

I too would love to hear a bit more color and factoids... And a scan of the sketches would be great!

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Perhaps a larger "canvas" for the engraving?? - and you have to admit that 10"+ of barrel, adjustable front sights, .44 Mag, etc... is way high on the cool meter.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I certainly hope not.

RKmesa, I have a couple of guns to finish engraving and once that is done I plan on collecting many of the prints, sketches and rubbings of many past engraving projects and maybe having some reproduced as a coffee table book. I also have many of Russ Smith's original sketches from his idea folder which he gave me before he retired as well as a cribbage board made of aluminum stock, affixed to an acrylic base with his name on it. Pistol firing pins were the pieces one moved on the boarrd.

Just having fun going through hr pictures in the forum. This is a very stunning gun. Absolutely love it, but they're all beautiful!

According to a member of SWCA who is a friend of agents present at the presentation, Reagan ABSOLUTELY INSISTED on going to the firing range to fire the weapon.

Apparently, he was talked out of doing so only on the condition that the factory would sell him a "plain-Jane" model to shoot. The story goes that S&W provided the gun, and refused a check from President Reagan.

True or not, it is a great story!

On Display in the Library

Attached Images

tumblr_nhexj2U2b81rji3x6o1_1280.jpg (69.3 KB, 426 views)

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Take my advice Im not using it

The great Ronaldus Magnus had a .44 Magnum Marcas Registradas? No wonder I slept so well in the '80's.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

It was sighted in to hit Moscow.

This is so cool.

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No gold. Only lead. Bobby

Yes it is. The last great American President, Of course he had a Model 29.

I have seen 2 Presidents in my life. Dwight Eisenhower in 1955 on his way to the Citadel in Charleston and Ronald Raegan when he came to Augusta for the Masters in 1983... Both great men and Great Americans. It would be Greater still to see another before my days end

Now that's what I call a "magnum opus".

When the Gipper had a breathing tube removed following surgery to remove Hinckley's bullet (I don't think he'd been able to speak while it was in), his first words were "what was that guys beef?".

He reportedly scribbled one-liners to the nurses (while conscious) throughout the ordeal.

I doubt we'll ever see another Commander in Chief with with that kind of courage.

Fantastic gun. Thanks!

A 30 year old Ravens Arm .25 would be fitting.

100 miles and 5 years from WY...no sir!!

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S&W SS Revolvers

I have voted in every election since I was 18. Ol' Ronnie's the "1st and only" Pres I ever really voted for. God Bless the USA...

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S&W SS Revolvers

In bragging on Russ Smith’s work on Ronald Reagan’s revolver to the kids at the school I work for, we looked up his gun and I followed the links to this forum. It’s nice to see that Uncle Russ has been given credit for the engraving. Uncle Russ is my husband’s uncle. He gave our boys a copy of the photo with the gun laying on the blue background.

Great family history! Be proud of your contributions.

I had the honor of seeing this 29 at President Reagan’s library. That whole day left me with lots of memories. The two individual items I most remember are this 29 and the suit he wore when he was shot.

Great revolver for a great man.