Model 29-2 - Frame markings? and opinions if reblued. PICTURE HEAVY

[AR_Black]

I am a dealer ... one of my customers wanted me to list a Model 29-2 on Gunbroker. I think he would catch more fish if starting at $0.01 but he does not have the stomach for a true auction, so his minimum sale price is the minimum start price. I normally charge 15% commission for consignment guns, but he is a good customer so we agreed on 10%. The commission includes all of the fees, so actually I'm only making about 6 or 7 percent on the sale price.

Anyhow, I don't think this is a reblue.... but have had several questions asking as such. The trademark logo is sharp and the roll marks don't appear to have been buffed down. However, I don't understand the markings on the frame, so I come to ask the experts here

I talked to the consignor this evening, he wants me to run this again with his minimum opening bid. You can search "completed auctions" on Gunbroker for the serial number N130737 and the ended listings should show up.

So questions for everyone -
1. Your opinion of a reblue?
2. Comments on frame markings?

Yes, I think his minimum opening bid may be a bit high ... but IF someone had not engraved their name under the top strap this would be a much nicer gun. So don't flame me on the asking price, that is not my decision. Thanks, John

 

[AR_Black]

I took the pictures, they are hosted on my website.

Description from the auction listing:

This is a consignment gun from one of my customers. It appears to have been fired very little (if at all). There is a faint turn line on the cylinder. The recoil shield has almost no evidence of shell casing marks. This gun could pass as “unfired” but since it is used we can never really know. The front sight has a red ramp insert, the rear sight is a white-outline adjustable type. The end of the muzzle has some bluing wear, most likely from storage. The wood grips have a few marks on them. Lockup and timing is good. Bore is clear and shiny with sharp rifling.


Inside the top strap, someone has engraved a name and number. It looks to be neatly done, but both the consignee nor myself have any idea why that would be on there. I’ve seen police scratch crime case numbers on firearms before, but the neatness of this engraving indicates it was not a police marking. There is a 9-digit number “420528380” and a name that appears to be “Marlow W. Law”, your guess is as good as mine as what this means.


The wood case has nice grain. There are some marks in the wood (minor dents, some scratches). The front right side of the case has minor warping. The left side of the case (lower portion) near the front, has a crack. The hinges and latch operate correctly but there is some spotting/tarnishing on the brass. The interior of the case has a padded upper portion that is covered in dark blue cloth, and is in good shape. The lower tray is the ‘stryofoam’ insert covered in blue flocking that has started to turn purple, the tray is in good shape.


The tools included are the SAT (Sight Adjustment Tool), bronze bore brush, aluminum handle, and barrel mop. The tools have no makers markings on them and appear to be unused.


Literature found stored under the lower insert include: (1) the specifications sheet, parts list, and ‘helpful hints brochure [parts list is dated March 12, 1973]; (2) S&W Warranty registration card; (3) S&W Ammunition brochure [includes ballistics charts for .38 Special, .357 Mag, and 9MM]; (4) List of authorized S&W warranty-service centers; (5) small flyer for S&W law enforcement equipment; and (6) a receipt from a gun shop in Anchorage Alaska dated 26 JAN 2008. Also included is a sheet of the S&W VCI paper with several tears, the VCI paper could be original to the gun.

 

[mod29]

...
Inside the top strap, someone has engraved a name and number. It looks to be neatly done, but both the consignee nor myself have any idea why that would be on there...

Probably a SSN number.
Finish looks original to me (not reblued).

 

[J-FRAME]

Somehow to me it looks like a Reblue to me. The finish is to flat like a model 28. Not high gloss like a 29-2 would have. Nice job I had a reblue done on one and it looked the same

 

[monsai52]

I've never seen an original finish on a 29 that looks like that. It clearly wasn't buffed, but it sure doesn't look original to me. Either that or someone took something like lead removal cloth and rubbed the heck out of the finish to give it a matte appearance. Either way, it takes a big bite out of the value.

I'm always pleased to learn new thing about S&W, so if someone knows about S&W providing this type of finish I'm more than happy to listen.

Best regards,

 

[J-FRAME]

In the day they were very high gloss blue. They shined at you not flat. I think the case and goodies were separate from the gun and the gun got rust freckled and someone tried to clean it up with a rust removal cloth and took the shine away my 2 cents

 

[Rodan]

The finish is to flat like a model 28. Not high gloss like a 29-2 would have.

This... finish doesn't look right for a 29-2 in the pics. IMHO that and the engraving on the top strap are the deal killers here.

The price in the completed auction isn't unreasonable otherwise.

I'd try a good cleaning and some Ren wax and see if it shines up. If not, probably start around $900 and see what happens.

 

[CLASSIC12]

I also think the finish looks dull and flat, not shiny as it should be

Here’s my 29-2 for comparison

 

[Ruger 13]

Need more pics! LoL!

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

one photo was enough to convince me believe its a reblue

 

[stansdds]

Maybe it is some sort of preservative on the metal that is creating a dull finish. If the finish really is that dull, it's not original. The "engraving" on the underside of the top strap appears to me to be a previous owner's name and social security number. Just the electro-pencil engraving is enough to eliminate this piece from being a top-dollar revolver.

 

[IrishFritz]

Photography doesn't ever tell the whole tale. To properly assess this revolver you need to hold it in your hand. In some photos the finish appears too dull to be factory original; in some the finish shines enough to be potentially real. In many shots there appear to be striations that are not factory polish. From the photos it is impossible to tell if these striations are through the blue or under the blue. In any case, one would expect a typical Smith high polish blue if the revolver were truly little used.

 

[rjroberts]

Reblue.

Classic's photo shows a "real" 29.

The engraved number has the format of a Social Security number, as was suggested further up.

Depends on the price. For the right price I'd certainly not kick it out.

Someone suggested some kind of protectant dulling the finish. Anyone would clean that off before photos. I use "Gun Guard" which really shines.

 

[cmansguns]

Price isn't the point on this gun

Personally I think your photos are of good high quality, and appear to be decent lighting, and you being a dealer are well versed in taking photos from the right angles, and of the right areas. In addition your write-up is very good, fully descriptive of all you get if you bid on this gun.

So............why 0, zip, nada bids? I believe it is all because of the electro-pen, vibrated name and SSN under the top strap. As a collector, I wouldn't even look at it any further after seeing that in the description. As a shooter only...maybe at a much lower price because the case, documents, tools do not any value if only going for a shooter, and as "sell alone" items the case, docs, tools may amount to $200 if one was lucky.

Bottom line to me is that someone paying $1,500 plus premium, plus fees, plus shipping, handling and their own FFL fee, then maybe, only maybe, recovering $200 from sale of the accessories, is still out probably $1,400 for a shooter grade only (and forever) Model 29.

I just sold (on this Forum) my Model 29 with case (flocking gone), tools, and Factory Letter in June for $1,500 which included shipping and full value insurance. I netted $1,425 for the package and was happy. I had also compared completed sales on the GB site so felt good about the listing price ($1,600) and the quick Member offer by PM of $1,500.

I believe your customer would do better with a penny auction and see where it goes, or at least get the initial posting price in the $600 to $700 area which will sure as heck generate a heck of a lot of "lookers" when seeing a 29 at that low price. Then a lot will drop out when reading the description of the name and initials...but someone (maybe a couple) of shooters will say "I'm going for it at that price".

Your customer just has to decide if he really wants to get that gun sold! Collector price on a "scratched up like that" gun just won't work unless it is the very last model 29 in existence in the whole world.

Above of course just another opinion.

 

[Doc44]

The letters/numbers stamped on the frame are normal fitter and inspector marks. There is nothing stamped on the frame or on the revolver itself indicating a reblue at S&W. The inserts in the presentation case have been recovered, which is normal for a Model 29-2 shipped in 1974. The dull appearing finish may be an artifact, but could be the result of storage in the case for many years. A little Flitz (or Wenol in the blue tube) and Renaissance Wax might fix that.

Overall, a nice example of a Model 29-2.

Bill

 

[03hemi]

The matt screams re-blued to me also, should look like Classic's 29.

 

[65Whelen]

The dull finish raises a flag for me. I've got a 29-3 that looks way better than this -2. JMHO

 

[J-FRAME]

Doc is spot on with a good cleaning. Maybe it was just at the end of the run of blued guns and didn’t really get the high gloss. Or it got put in the m28 bin and some inspector let it go thru I had my 29-2 4 inch reblued but not at the factory and requested flat blue and it looked almost exactly the same. I also see the the gun was resold in Anchorage at sometime. Mine looks so much the same might have been the same company that did them both . I’m in Anchorage also. It’s what first caught my attention.

 

[J-FRAME]

The 2008 dated Anchorage receipt is almost spot one. Mine cost $150 for the flat Re blue My gun was well used and shot and needed a facelift

 

[J-FRAME]

Gene was the name of the gunsmith that sent it away. Now I’m thinking Re blue like mine