What Model 29 variant did I just buy??

[IanNersesian]

I just found an ad on Armslist for a local gentleman selling a Model 29 in fair condition. I decided to buy it for what I thought was a very good price. Inside the crane is no 29 or 29- marking. Can anyone tell what it is by pictures? Grips have no serial # on the inside and the I received no box or other accessories with it.

I honestly bought it to keep my Model 15 company in the safe and have it as a sidearm while hunting. It's got some wear on the muzzle and cylinder and a little nick in the grips so I'm not afraid of bringing it in the woods with me, it's not a mint example by any means.

Here's a couple pictures, I can get more detailed pics if need be. It has a nice tight lockup, and it's a pinned and recessed model, but other than that I have no idea what I just bought.

 

[Doc44]

You have purchased a 44 Magnum (pre-model 29) with a 5-screw frame. S&W began shipping the 4-inch barrel with a 5-screw frame in November 1956 and continued through May 1957. If you give me the first three digits of the serial number (S156XXX for example), I may be able to estimate the shipping date.

Target stocks on the 44 Magnum were not numbered to the revolver (collectors refer to this style as "coke bottle" stocks) and are probably original.

Bill

 

[snowman]

Sir,

If it is chambered for .44 magnum, you've got yourself a 5-screw pre-29, the 29 prior to 1957, when model numbers were assigned to Smith revolvers. That is quite a good find.

Doc44 may come along and provide more & better details.

Andy


P.S. Well, I see he beat me by a minute.

 

[arjay]

Don't know what you consider a good price,but the grips alone are 3-$400.

 

[IanNersesian]

s15371x

Are you guys serious?? Should I not bring this thing out to the woods? How can I tell if the grips are correct or repros?

 

[arjay]

The grips look real in the photos.Can you take some close ups? Carrying it would really depend on how much holster wear it already has,but I wouldn't.

 

[Doc44]

Most of the 44 Magnums with a 4-inch barrel in your serial number range were shipped in January/February 1957. This is only an estimate of the shipping date but is probably fairly close. If you want to spend $50, a factory letter will tell you exactly when your gun was shipped and where it was shipped.

The stocks are of S&W manufacture and most likely original to your 44 Magnum. The stocks have the correct profile, escutcheon and nut, and should have black stock circles on the back of each panel that secures the S&W monogram. The revolver shows some honest use and certainly can be carried in the woods of New Hampshire. Just carry the 44 in a lined holster that minimizes wear of the finish.

Bill

 

[IanNersesian]

Wow, I'll get some better pics of the grips for you and maybe we can see if they are real.

 

[DCWilson]

The Model 29 mavens will be able to give you better general info, but I have it in mind that four-inch five-screw Pre-29s are pretty darn uncommon and command high prices. You might want to keep that one in the safe as an investment and find a more common four-incher for woods trekking.

Very nice specimen.

 

[mkk41]

s15371x

Are you guys serious?? Should I not bring this thing out to the woods? How can I tell if the grips are correct or repros?

These guys like Doc44 and DCWilson and others here (not me) are some of THE top S&W collectors and experts there are on the face of the earth. They KNOW when the're looking at the real thing.

Those highly desirable and valuable 'Cokes' grips do appear to have less mileage than the gun , but perhaps , as was common , they were removed for something that fit the original shooters hand better (Pachmayrs?) and were replaced when he sold it.

 

[tlay]

If I were you and I was going to use this in the woods I would at least take off the grips and put Pachmaiers on. They are too valuable to scratch up. Also keep some good wax on it and don't store it in your holster. Nice gun.

 

[IanNersesian]

Here's some more detailed pictures of the grips. 5th and 6th pictures show a nick/chunk out of the right panel. Last picture shows some marks on the bottom of the two panels.

You guys have me afraid to take this thing home and clean it now for fearing of doing something wrong to it.

Do these look like the real deal to you guys?

 

[IanNersesian]

Do the stampings in the cylinder or inside of the crane area mean anything to collectors? I can get some better pics of this area later.

 

[arjay]

There is a member here that can repair those for you ( his name slips my mind for the moment).Im sure someone will chime in. That's a very desirable gun you found.Nice score!

 

[dewey]

Well, no matter what you paid for it you probably got
to a STEAL !

I'd take the grips off so the wouldn't get scratched or cracked. No need to pic the grips they are the real deal.

Notice the faint line around the cyclinder? The near lack of a line indicates that the gun hasn't been fired much AT ALL. Be sure to do some target work as I'd say they need adjusting.

I bought a gun in similar condition and it shot 3 feet high. It hadn't been fired since it left the factory but showed wear.

Nice One.

Dan

 

[dewey]

New pick shows the rear chucnk, usaully from banging againt the 'shooting table' at the range.

BTW, you've got a handful if shooting heavy loads ! HA
If you are shooting 240 grains at above 1300 fps it will recoil nicely !

The nice thign about your .44MAG is it's desireable but shootable.

 

[john145]

I have to know what did you pay? VERY NICE GUN!!!!!!!

 

[Doc44]

The stampings in the yoke cut and on the yoke are assembly numbers and have little meaning. The stocks are chipped in the usual places. The black stock circles on the underside of the stocks are what I was referring to in an earlier post. The stocks are made of Goncalo alves that was standard for stocks on the 44 Magnum.

Bill

 

[IanNersesian]

I have to know what did you pay? VERY NICE GUN!!!!!!!

$425 - I bought it thinking it was a $575-$625 gun which is what these go for in this condition around here. I had no idea what I was looking at.

 

[arjay]

Well,the gun itself cost you maybe $100 lol