What do I have here?

[Hondo44]

At the risk of adding some uncertain value to this, there may be a S/N stamped on the inner surface of the yoke. It may be visible if viewed through one of the chambers. Given the degree of effort in removing the original S/N and other markings, this may be gone as well, or if this is a parts gun, may have no relationship to the frame S/N.
Only real value of that number (if it's there) will be for your police chief in running the weapon through the NTC. If that S/N comes up in the NTC check, it may shed some light on the history of that gun, or may be completely unrelated. Good luck, and I hope you get to have that gun established with a valid S/N; the alterations aside, I have a warm spot in my heart for 4" M29s.

That's good advice! Although the gun appears to be a 3 screw, therefore the serial # on the rear face of the yoke arm was deleted much earlier, in 1957.

A gun of this vintage will only have these 3 # locations:

1. Butt

2. Extractor star - backside

3. Right stock – backside


That's why in post #4 I asked the OP to look for the original serial # on the back side of the extractor star with a flashlight and magnifying glass. Pushed out like when extracting empty cases and look there.

 

[DrGunner]

That's good advice! Although the gun appears to be a 3 screw, therefore the serial # on the rear face of the yoke arm was deleted much earlier, in 1957.

A gun of this vintage will only have these 3 # locations:

1. Butt

2. Extractor star - backside

3. Right stock – backside


That's why in post #4 I asked the OP to look for the original serial # on the back side of the extractor star with a flashlight and magnifying glass. Pushed out like when extracting empty cases and look there.

Unfortunately, I just saw your post and had already turned the gun over to local police for investigation.

Finally some progress to report. Had some rather pressing family issues so I did not get around to turning in the gun until last week. So far, the gun has been run through the state police where they did find a history and the gun comes up clean through LEEDS, which is a good sign. The officer has also contacted BATFE and is expecting a response and determination within a week. I will have a case number and will get a copy of the report clearing it should I be allowed to keep it-

So far so good.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...makes me wonder if it wasn't a "lunch box gun"...seems like it would take a lot of buffing to completely eradicate the four line address and the S&W logo...maybe it left the factory in a lunch box as a bare unmarked frame ala Johnny Cash...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWHniL8MyMM[/ame]

 

[Hondo44]

Unfortunately, I just saw your post and had already turned the gun over to local police for investigation.

Finally some progress to report. Had some rather pressing family issues so I did not get around to turning in the gun until last week. So far, the gun has been run through the state police where they did find a history and the gun comes up clean through LEEDS, which is a good sign. The officer has also contacted BATFE and is expecting a response and determination within a week. I will have a case number and will get a copy of the report clearing it should I be allowed to keep it-

So far so good.

Thanks very much for the update! We almost never hear about how these situations turn out. Hoping for the best possible outcome for you!

 

[Bullet Bob]

Good luck with your new revolver, however it turns out.

I just wanted to log in and compliment you on your pictures in your original post!

Usually when this question is posted on the forum, we get a fuzzy cell phone picture, or a general description of what someone heard from someone else

 

[gkitch]

As others have offered, the parts are well worth salvaging if it comes to that. Any gunsmith can remove the barrel and everything that is NOT the frame. Here are some conservative estimates of the values:
-Target Hammer: $50
-Target Trigger: $50
-4" 44 mag barrel: $125
-cylinder: $125
-rear sight assembly:$65
-cylinder release latch: $35
-everything else: $75

 

[Dillyp]

...makes me wonder if it wasn't a "lunch box gun"...seems like it would take a lot of buffing to completely eradicate the four line address and the S&W logo...maybe it left the factory in a lunch box as a bare unmarked frame ala Johnny Cash...

this my bet. The amount of material removal on the sides of the frame, the butt, and inside the yoke would be hardly unnoticeable. Not to mention unusable in the yoke area. Doesn't appear to be highly polished either like a "buddy" over in bluing done it real quick one evening. I say lunchbox gun.

 

[gmborkovic]

I need some clarification on "lunch box gun".

 

[29aholic]

I need some clarification on "lunch box gun".

As in it left the factory in someone's lunch box before it was finished.

 

[H Richard]

One other thing I didn't see addressed, how did the gun get to you from a relative out of state, "without having been transferred through an FFL"?

Last I heard it was still the law any handgun transferred across a state line had to be through an FFL.

 

[stu1ritter]

If the revolver was made prior to 1968 does it even need a serial number?

Stu

 

[Hondo44]

Only if it was originally serial numbered by the factory and all Smiths were.

 

[HeloMt]

3777 serial number

The number on your gun caught my eye. If your relative came from the far North West, as in Montana, there may be a historical reason for that number. I am not saying it is legally applied, but there may be a reason. The number was used by the vigilantes in Montana during the late 1800's to sign all of their correspondence. Nobody truly knows what the significance of the number means. I was a Montana Highway Patrol officer and the number is included on our uniform patch as a tribute to those individuals who first tried to bring law and order to a very lawless territory.

The vigilantes were based out of Virginia City, Montana back in the 1860's and 70's. It is thought that all were Masons. If you received a letter or note as a bad or lawless individual signed with this number, that was your clue to depart the area rapidly. Hangings often occurred for those who didn't pay heed. Various theories surrounding what the number stands for includes the following: 1. 3-7-77 were said to be grave dimensions, 3 feet wide, 7 feet long and 77 inches deep. 2. Others have speculated that the numbers meant you had 3 hours, 7 minutes and 77 seconds to get out of town. 3. The most reasonable in my estimation was the theory that the vigilantes were made up a 3 lawyers, 7 businessmen and 77 miners from the area. In any event, no one really knows as the true meaning died with those who used the numbers.

I know it is a bit of a stretch, but who ever applied that particular number to your model 29 may have had knowledge of the vigilantes and had the gun stamped based on that. Just a thought and a bit of history from my area of the country.

 

[gkitch]

The number on your gun caught my eye. If your relative came from the far North West, as in Montana, there may be a historical reason for that number. I am not saying it is legally applied, but there may be a reason. The number was used by the vigilantes in Montana during the late 1800's to sign all of their correspondence. Nobody truly knows what the significance of the number means. I was a Montana Highway Patrol officer and the number is included on our uniform patch as a tribute to those individuals who first tried to bring law and order to a very lawless territory.

The vigilantes were based out of Virginia City, Montana back in the 1860's and 70's. It is thought that all were Masons. If you received a letter or note as a bad or lawless individual signed with this number, that was your clue to depart the area rapidly. Hangings often occurred for those who didn't pay heed. Various theories surrounding what the number stands for includes the following: 1. 3-7-77 were said to be grave dimensions, 3 feet wide, 7 feet long and 77 inches deep. 2. Others have speculated that the numbers meant you had 3 hours, 7 minutes and 77 seconds to get out of town. 3. The most reasonable in my estimation was the theory that the vigilantes were made up a 3 lawyers, 7 businessmen and 77 miners from the area. In any event, no one really knows as the true meaning died with those who used the numbers.

I know it is a bit of a stretch, but who ever applied that particular number to your model 29 may have had knowledge of the vigilantes and had the gun stamped based on that. Just a thought and a bit of history from my area of the country.

Fascinating! My initial instinctive reaction to the first pictures of the revolver was that someone very intentionally "sanitized" the gun of all traceable markings. Probably "just in case" the law was perceived as falling short of justice. The new serial number made no sense, until now.

 

[vonn]

I vote for the dimensions as the origin of the number! Very interesting explanation!

 

[DrGunner]

One other thing I didn't see addressed, how did the gun get to you from a relative out of state, "without having been transferred through an FFL"?

Last I heard it was still the law any handgun transferred across a state line had to be through an FFL.

It was shipped from an FFL in the state of origin to an FFL in my home state 20 years ago...

And I'm not sure where you got the bit claiming "without being transferred through an FFL."????

 

[DrGunner]

The number on your gun caught my eye. If your relative came from the far North West, as in Montana, there may be a historical reason for that number. I am not saying it is legally applied, but there may be a reason. The number was used by the vigilantes in Montana during the late 1800's to sign all of their correspondence. Nobody truly knows what the significance of the number means. I was a Montana Highway Patrol officer and the number is included on our uniform patch as a tribute to those individuals who first tried to bring law and order to a very lawless territory.

The vigilantes were based out of Virginia City, Montana back in the 1860's and 70's. It is thought that all were Masons. If you received a letter or note as a bad or lawless individual signed with this number, that was your clue to depart the area rapidly. Hangings often occurred for those who didn't pay heed. Various theories surrounding what the number stands for includes the following: 1. 3-7-77 were said to be grave dimensions, 3 feet wide, 7 feet long and 77 inches deep. 2. Others have speculated that the numbers meant you had 3 hours, 7 minutes and 77 seconds to get out of town. 3. The most reasonable in my estimation was the theory that the vigilantes were made up a 3 lawyers, 7 businessmen and 77 miners from the area. In any event, no one really knows as the true meaning died with those who used the numbers.

I know it is a bit of a stretch, but who ever applied that particular number to your model 29 may have had knowledge of the vigilantes and had the gun stamped based on that. Just a thought and a bit of history from my area of the country.

Interesting, and YES, the gun IS from Montana....

Kinda makes ya go hmmmmmm.

 

[DrGunner]

Update

Well, my local LEO returned the gun to me today. It's been cleared by my home state police, state and local police in Montana where it originated, and it was inspected and returned by BATFE. I will be obtaining a copy of the police report by submitting a FOIA form to my LEO, which contains details of all contacts and clearance by ATF which I plan to keep with the gun.

ATF seems to think it was likely one of the first year .44 mag model 29s which was produced before the model number and letter designation was used by S&W, but may have had some parts changed later on.

Either way, I did the right thing and will be allowed to keep the family heirloom.

Now I just wish I knew the facts behind the 3777, given its origins in Montana.

Thanks for all of your advice and assistance!

DrGunner

 

[DrGunner]

Good luck with your new revolver, however it turns out.

I just wanted to log in and compliment you on your pictures in your original post!

Usually when this question is posted on the forum, we get a fuzzy cell phone picture, or a general description of what someone heard from someone else

THANKS! I'm a moderator on another shooting forum so I'm well versed in taking decent pics- with an iPhone, no less!

 

[steelslaver]

Another interesting thing about that number and the vigilantes. That number is on the shield and patches of the MHP as a tribute to the vigilantes.