A March 5-inch, nickel Model 29-2

[SigKev]

Continuing on my journey to post a different 44 Magnum from my collection each month, I wanted to share this nickel Model 29-2 with a factory 5-inch barrel that shipped with magna stocks. As many will know, most of the 44 Magnums shipped with Coke stocks in the time period. This particular revolver shipped on March 14, 1963 and went to Belknap Hardware Company in Louisville, KY.

There are very few documented Model 29-2 revolvers with a factory 5-inch barrel and nickel finish. And I believe this is the only Model 29-2 documented to have shipped with magna stocks.

I am very thankful that a S&WCA member gave me the opportunity to add this to my collection. And I hope it brightens your day with that beautiful nickel finish.

 

[Gunhohulk]

Great piece you have there. The magna stocks make it look nice and sleek.

 

[markeb]

Very nice and thanks for sharing Kevin. Belknaps was located downtown Louisville and was converted to a Humana Business Center. My Mom worked there in early 1950's.

 

[gmborkovic]

Are the Magna grips smooth Rosewood?

 

[boykinlp]

Simply BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing.
Larry

 

[KSK]

Spectacular 44 Magnum! Thanks for showing it.

 

[SigKev]

I believe they are Rosewood.

Are the Magna grips smooth Rosewood?

 

[stansdds]

That is a unique Model 29-2.

 

[glenncal1]

Did they ever catalog the model 29 with the 5" barrel or were they all special order?

 

[ACE10000D]

Model 29

Stunning. Just stunning.

 

[murphydog]

Did they ever catalog the model 29 with the 5" barrel or were they all special order?

Fairly certain they were all special orders, a relatively large group to HH Harris documented by a letter in a recent post here. Doc44 should be along with more information.

 

[SigKev]

My understanding is that the 5-inch 44 Magnums were special orders and not a cataloged barrel length. There is a nice article in the S&WCA Journal (Vol 56, Number 1, Spring 2022) on the 5-inch 44 Magnums (that is a plug for those of you that are not members of the S&WCA, since you are missing out on excellent articles and research) where Doc44 did research enabled by the S&W Historical Foundation (another plug for those that are not members) and found that there were around 300 44 Magnums produced with 5-inch barrels. Bill states that H.H. Harris is estimated to have received 70% of those 44 Magnums.

The article is really interesting and includes information on the earliest 5-inch 44 Magnums including the only known 5-inch 44 Magnum with a 5-screw frame along with other interesting stories about this rare barrel length.

 

[bradyp]

I've recently inherited this same gun, 19-2, 5" barrel w/ nickel finish. Also confirmed with a Roy Jinks letter. I'm trying to come up with a realistic value for it as I may be needing to sell. Thanks for any help you guys may have.

 

[Muley Gil]

I've recently inherited this same gun, 19-2, 5" barrel w/ nickel finish. Also confirmed with a Roy Jinks letter. I'm trying to come up with a realistic value for it as I may be needing to sell. Thanks for any help you guys may have.

Is your revolver a M19 .357 or a M29 .44 Magnum?

 

[bradyp]

it's a 44, sorry about that.

p.s. ROLL TIDE! LOL

 

[Doc44]

Model 19-2s with a 5-inch barrel are quite rare with very few documented by collectors. In 98 percent or better condition and with original target stocks, I would value one at $3,000 to $5,000+ (the latter if the front sight and ramp base are blue and pinned to the barrel with two pins that are not polished flush...only one of these is currently known).

44 Magnums (Pre-29, Model 29, Model 29-2) with a 5-inch barrel and nickel finish are very rare and easily sell for over $5,000 and often much higher than that.

Bill

 

[bradyp]

Thank you Doc44, I appreciate someone with your expertise commenting and sharing your insights. thanks much!

 

[bamabiker]

Roll Tide and you know we like gun pictures around here.
Start your own thread and let us see it, please.

 

[SigKev]

Bamabiker, there is a thread on bradyp’s 29-2 right here…

S&W 44 mag with 5 inch barrel

 

[Mauser 17]

SigKev,

I too have the 5” 44Mag bug. As it turned out, in a particular auction they had miss labeled this gun as a 6”, and there were TWO available, and consecutively numbered!
I got to spend my lunch money for basically the rest of my life, and I get to be the temporary caretaker for both of them.