Originally Posted by S&WIowegan

S&W didn't make a 3 1/2" barreled Model 29-2 in the serial number range of your gun. They rarely if ever sold Model 29s with magna stocks. When the seller erases a serial number on a box and writes in the gun's number that's fraud.

This deal is a mess as described by you. Don't argue or negotiate, send the gun back and stop payment on your credit card. Don't dicker with a crook. Oh yes, you over-payed by as much as $1K.