New to Forum with questions

[hammbone13]

Hi All. I'm new to the Forum. I have just inherited a Model 29-2, 8 3/8" barrel from my dad. SN N860XXX. It is new in box, and still has the original shipping box and the wooden display box is still in it's plastic seal. The gun has what I believe to be factory engraving on the entire gun except the middle 4 inches (+/-) of the barrel. I'd be interested in any info you can give me on this gun. Up until now, all my guns have been "functional"...used either for hunting, plinking, skeet, etc. I've never owned a gun just to be displayed. Is this gun of significantly higher value as an unfired gun?
Thanks.

[sophie]

Very nice gun to inherit. Pictures would be neat. Welcome to the forum.

_______
James

[Cpt. Obvious]

Welcome to the party, pal!

Yes, it is worth more (to collectors at least) unfired. Factory shipping box, display case, tools, etc also add premiums to the overall value. Engraving? Yeah, that too! Post some pics when you can, someone will be along shortly to give you a good ballpark on value. Id be all about keeping that thing, though! It would also be a good candidate for a factory letter from Mr. Roy Jinks.

[hammbone13]

I'm not computer savvy at all. Hopefully there are two photos with this.

[hammbone13]

RE: Cpt. Obvious...I did forget, it has the cleaning kit and screw driver. I haven't looked at the inside of the display case, but photos I've seen show it having places for the gun as well as the "tools"??

[Smith357]

I would like to welcome you to the Forum, and thank you for sharing that beautiful Model 29.

I don't know enough about values, I'm a cheapskate and think every gun should cost less than $300. Others who know far more about Model 29s can give you a better value for your insurance policy that I can. I do know that an unfired engraved gun with all the goodies is worth far more than a good shooter grade gun. A rough guess, and this is purely a guess, would be somewhere north of $1500 ( now I get to see how far off the mark I actually am ) for a spanky new dash 2 with Class B engraving and presentation box. That gun deserves a factory letter, if it turns out your father ordered that gun special from the factory it's worth far more than mere money.

[Doc44]

The 29-2 is most likely factory engraved since it has the small S&W logo on the left side of the frame and smooth stocks. If there is an end label on the box it may mention the engraving (that looks like Class A coverage). A photo of the side plate would also be helpful.

I would value the 29-2 at $1500 to $2000. The lining in the presentation case has probably deteriorated and would have to be replaced if you wanted to display the revolver in the case.

Bill

[nipster]

Originally Posted by Doc44

The 29-2 is most likely factory engraved since it has the small S&W logo on the left side of the frame

That kind of threw me off, I thought all 29-2's would have had the logo on the sideplate. Thought they went to logo on the left side sometime around 1983/4 or so which is after the run of 29-2's ended.

[hammbone13]

Do these help? Also, should I go ahead and open the display box to see if it has deteriorated? It has been in a dry climate. And, I don't see any label on either the shipping box nor the actual gun box...Would it have been shipped in another outer box, or if it was going to my dad, even if through a gun shop, wouldn't there be some sort of shipping label? I don't know the history of this gun. All my dad's other guns were ones he regularly used, and thus these that I just got are more important to me (on a personal level) as I actually shot these guns with him. This gun I didn't even know existed.

By the way, you guys are great!

[fyimo]

It's a beautiful revolver that your Dad most have valued to pay for the engraving and then gift it to you. It's worth what Doc said it's worth as he is the expert up here on model 29's and most things S&W. I hope that you value it and decide to keep it no matter what it's worth.

If the case interior needs re-doing we have an expert at it up here in Joe Cebull and he can be reached here Joe Cebull ([email protected]). He's done several cases for me and he does first class work.

[hammbone13]

Someone was sure right...I just opened the display box, and it looked beautiful. But I just touched the fabric and it literally crumbled.

[nipster]

You know, I am not usually one that likes engraved stuff, but that is just nice...

[Doc44]

Factory engraved revolvers have the logo placed on the left side of the frame so the entire side plate can be engraved.

The additional photos further indicate factory engraving, but I would obtain a factory letter from Roy Jinks just to confirm it and have the letter for your records. It will be worth the $50 investment in the long run.

The cardboard box (containing the 29-2) and presentation case were most likely shipped in a larger cardboard box that had an outer label.

Bill

[Nightowl]

Beautiful 29. Thanks for sharing.