Good evening,

A few nights ago I submitted a post regarding the purchase of a blued Model 29 no dash, with original cokes, and, according to the seller, in 99% condition, other than a "faint turn line." Price for the gun is approximately $2000. (I should add that I'm a California resident, and therefore I'm limited to purchasing vintage Model 29's that are at least 50-years-old.)

Here are the pictures of the turn line:

Cylinder Line Slideshow by EdwardBrindle | Photobucket

May I have your opinions on whether are not the cylinder line is severe enough to affect the asking price?

Thank you for your time in advance.


EdwardB

Is the gun nickle? Looks very nice to me. I would not be concerned with the turn mark there. Would like to see more pics.

The pictures are out of focus enough to make me not want to strongly commit to my opinion however analyzing the out of focus pictures of the "turn line" make me think the turn-line is more than "faint" and makes me seriously doubt a 99% condition.
John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

Don't know if I would call the turn line "faint." Gun definitely shows some wear. 2K sounds like pretty top dollar for a less than pristine piece. But hey, what do I know?

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No life story has happy end.

Soliciting a fair price based on out-of-focus photos raises a few questions. I would not commit to an opinion without more information.

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Why, I aughta.....

I don't follow model 29 values, but the turn line is more than "faint" in my opinion...

I would not pay $2,000 for that M29. $2K comes with a 'pristine' revolver, not used and shined up.

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S&WHF 366

Can't tell much about the turn line from the picture, but it doesn't look 99% in any event. To me, it looks like the side plate is a little buggered . . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I agree with all above. The turn line appears to be more severe than "faint" which is not a big deal but, IMHO, puts it well below the 99% range. Plus, there looks to be some other marks and scratches on it.

With those photos it's hard to put a value on it but I would not pay $2000 for it and my initial impression, based solely on what I can see, would be in the $1100 to $1300 range (assuming there is no original box, tools and paper work with it). But, even at that, unless you can inspect the gun before purchase, I would want a "Inspection" period that I could return it if not satisfied.

Let us know how it goes.

Bob

Man this is a tuff bunch. For a 50+ year old gun I would say it looks real nice. I would want more pics of course but I have been looking at these guns for a couple years now. If the rest of the gun looks as good as the cylinder, then that is the going rate for that gun. Around here anyway (west coast). It is top dollar though so I would want more pics. Close up of grips would be nice.

I would want to see more pictures of more than just the cylinder. What about the muzzle, frame edges, sights, recoil shield, etc. That price based on what I see is too much.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

It has been cycled some, but I cannot see any damage to the stop notches. Would want to check the inside of the cylinder window for cartridge marks on the breech face, other marks on the gun and coke grips. For that price, it must have coke grips!

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

nice. but i don't want one that bad. 2 grand is a lot of money. lol

Well for $2k I'm on the fence I'd look further for a better one at that cost.
If I wanted a 99% pristine one I'd go for a 100% brand new one unless I'm looking to fill a gap in the collection. My brand new s&w m29-10 is as good if not better because of all the upgrades through the many years are all in one model the 29-10 is suppose to be the best model 29 that s&w has to offer.

When the scales are tilted to one side price wise when old vs New with the old being higher than brand we need to think about it. It's really about 100% @ $1,200 vs 99% @ $2,000? That $800 is another s&w purchase.

Take a step back and think about it. I would go brand new.

If the turn line bothers you enough to question it here it just may always bother you if you purchase it.
Make sure you get what you want. You sound like the price isn't the factor but the condition is?

The pics don't look that bad but the pics aren't clear. I think $2k is a tad steep if it's a well used gun. What's the throat and front of the cylinder look like?

It's condition vs price vs how bad you gotta have it.

I would look for a 29-2 which you should be able to find one for less than half that!
Dick

If the 29 has an original nickel finish and nice original stocks, I think $2000 is fair if the overall condition is 98 percent. If the finish is bright blue, I would think $1,500 would be fair.

Bill

I'm with the folks who can't really give an opinion because the photos are so out of focus/blurred. I can't tell if that's the "real" turn line, or whether it just looks wider due to the blur or camera shake or whatever.

Is the Gun Blue or Nickel?

As with others, the out of focus photos may be hiding the truth.
Also, it looks like a scratch across the line in the 2nd image.
Can't tell without decent photos.

The presence of a turn line has nothing to do with remaining finish. A gun with a turn line can be 100% if it has not worn through the nickel. I am of the opinion that the gun has seen more than a few boxes of ammo, but the finish can still be pristine. A no-dash would be over 60 years and that one might be one of the best around, but I would ask for better pictures of all parts of the gun before committing to that amount of money.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Just a few added details:

The gun has the original blued finish and the stocks are the original cokes.

Also, I'm a California resident and so am limited to only purchasing vintage Model 29's that are over 50-years-old.

The seller does not offer an inspection period.

No inspection period - no deal for me.

With such poor photos that most of us can't tell whether it has blue or nickel finish, I wonder what the seller hopes to conceal.

Assuming all doubts are resolved in favor of the seller, that's top dollar and not a bargain IMHO.

I would have to say that is top dollar for a gun in that condition. Without any other features, like a box or tools, I would think that $1,500 is closer to market value for the gun alone.

Again, the photos are not the best and no inspection makes me nervous. You are relying on the Sellers good faith estimate of condition without the ability to dispute that once the gun is in hand.

The only other factors might be prior owner or very early serial number. Shipped to a famous gun guy or a first month production might make me pay a premium for a less than stellar gun.

As far as buying a 29-10, that would be like buying 2014 automobile when one was looking for a Model A. Just not the same ballpark. IMHO

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James Redfield
LM #497

I thought it was nickel from the pictures as well. One thing I did not notice earlier is the outstanding case coloring on the hammer. I have a suspicion that the 29 is an outstanding S&W, but still not sold on the asking price.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I don't get worked up about turn lines, as I take D.B. Wesson (and Roy Jinks) at his word, "a turn line is evidence of a properly functioning revolver."

That said, if I buy, I buy as a shooter, and I prize proper function over pristine appearance, so long as any evidence of use is honest wear, and not abuse.

If you a buying as a display piece, the turn line might be a consideration. If you are buying it to shoot, then I would not worry about it, so long as you otherwise thought the price was right for you.