I just bought a Pre - Model 29 S&W 44 Magnum. It is a five screw, 6 1/2 inch blue steel gun. The serial number is S 1611XX. It is in fair condition, with some of the bluing rubbed off where a past owner had rubber grips on the gun. There is some surface rust, not pitted, some holster wear and a few other blemishes on the finish. It appears to be mechanically sound and not fired too much. It has target stocks, not "Cokes," a red ramp front sight, but no white outline rear. It does not have a target trigger or hammer.

My questions.

1. Did S&W ship these guns with target stocks or were all shipped with Cokes?

2. Were these guns shipped with non-target triggers and hammers?

3. Based on the serial number, approximately when was the gun built?

4. Will S&W reblue a gun this old and if so, should I have it reblued or leave it like it is?

5. I paid $450, including tax, Did I do OK or did I pay too much?

Thanks for helping out a rookie on these weapons.

Age: 1956 - 57
Shipped with "cokes"
Shipped with 1/2" target hammer and trigger. Micrometer rear sight.
Without seeing it I think you got it at a good price. Much better if it had the cokes.
I don't know if S&W will reblue it or not. The general consensus around here is that rebluing will decrease the value of the gun by the amount spent on rebluing. Most folks would say leave it alone and let it's "experience" show. You might want to try some 4X steel wool gently on the rust.

Jeff

I've read that the blueing S&W uses today looks nothing like the original blue process. You might think about having that gun restored.

That's a good price! If I spent any money on the gun, I'd replace the original parts: target hammer and trigger and find some Cokes for it.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

what he just said I'll second

Thanks for the answers.

I cleaned it up and it looks better, except for the semi-circular line to the metal where the rubber grips used to be.