I wonder if anyone can help. I bought a Model 29 back in 1980 serial no 471*** I was told by Smith & Wesson that it was a 6 1/2 ins version made in 1978. It has several barrel markings which i have not been able to identify, on the left of 44 Magnum is NP with a mark above. Under 44 Magnum 13 Tons,which i presume is the tested barrel pressure & on the right 1.28" It is an excellent revolver which has been with me many years, any help would be appreciated. I did read that after 1969 the Model 29 had 6ins instead of the 6 1/2 ins barrel.

Your 29-2 most likely dates to 78 (N471000 range) like you were told. S&W standardized the barrel length for the Model 29-2 in 1979 with the deletion of the 6 1/2-inch barrel (it was available with a 4, 6, or 8 3/8-inch barrel).

The markings on the barrel suggest it was proof tested, but I don't know who would have done it.

Bill

Thanks Bill, any idea what 1.28" would mean?

You probabily found that on wikipedia

I think it's a mistake. Like Doc44 wrote it's 1979 che correct date

__________________
Smith, and Wesson, and Me!

Those might be proof marks from a foreign government inspector such as in the UK.



Bruce

The NP is for Nitro Proof, the 1.28" is case length, the 13 Tons is indeed chamber pressure. Typical UK proofmarks. Has your piece been overseas ?

Larry

Yes, I am English, i bought it in London and i think the NP mark is part of the London proof mark. and yes i got the 6in barrel info from Wiki. Many thanks everyone for your help. Oh,i now live in France and can shoot at my local club, something i could not do in UK due to the Firearms laws there.

Nice gun and in that serial number range, it should have a 6 1/2" barrel and not a 6" unless it has been rebarrelled.

Bruce

If you have any question about barrel length you can measure yourself. Measure from the muzzle tip to the end of forcing cone or to the end of the cylinder if easier as there is a very very minor gap between them. Of course if you measure in metric be sure to divide cm by 2.54.
It could be a 6" or 6.5" with 1978 mfg date. But there are always anomalies around transition dates. If that is not clear you could always letter it with S&W. Cheers
Mike

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

"Vive delete"

Per "The Book", the engineering change order to switch from the 6 1/2" barrel to 6" became policy in 1979. However, as is usual with Smith & Wesson, inventories of 6 1/2" barrels less those held back for service parts would need to be exhausted before the changeover to 6" commenced. I have a nickel M29-2 in the N600XXX serial range (1980) with a 6 1/2" barrel and I'm confident that it is original. That said, I also feel confident that my original comment is correct but, I could be wrong.

Just saying......



Bruce

Serial: N857915
Mod. 29-2
3 screws in the side plate
.44 Magnum
8 3/8" barrel Magnum
Nickel plated

Im looking for a manufacture date
and any other information possible.

I just got it today,
I've always dreamed of owning one, now i do.

Paid $800, it came with a presentation box, blue plastic lined, included a screw driver, a cleaning rod, and an absorbent patch.

It came in excellent condition,
doesn't look like it was fired much at all.
Also no scratches whatsoever.

I have it opened up for cleaning, discovered it's spotless inside. I'm super happy with it, I just want some history. Any help is greatly appreciated Thank you!

N857915 dates your Model 29-2 to 1981.

Bill

Folks, new to the forum and have a few original guns for sale. The first is a Model 29-2 with a rather unique story. I was a USAF Captain in 1969 who hunted with a good friend who wrote for Outdoor Life. We were schedule to go to Alaska on a hunt, so I called S&W and asked for a model 29 on consignment for the hunt. They said they could not accommodate the request because they were buried in making USAF pilot issue handguns and machine gun barrels for Vietnam.
A few weeks later, my wholesaler called and acted VERY surprised, telling me that he had just received a new model 29, nickel plated, with my name on it.
That was this gun. It is a 1969- Model 29-2, with 6.5'barrel, nickel plated, with checkered grips.
It has had less than 50 rounds through it, and it is in the original case, with the original tools, and is obviously near new condition.
Any idea what it is worth?
Thx in advance
Oh, and it was so pretty, I could not take it into the tough Alaska wilderness.

Don't know about you all, but I'd like to see that proofmarked 29 from the Island, AND the Alaskan's nickel 29...

If the Adam Henries back East had any concept of the beauty, history, and industrial perfection of vintage guns like ours, they'd re-think the confiscation and destruction schemes. But then again...maybe not...

I saw a 29-2 factory engraved that dates back to the 1960's. the revolver had a red ramp sight on it. do red ramp sights date that far back on is the one on this revolver a replacement?

The red ramp front sight was listed in S&W's 1952 catalog. All Model 29s from 1955 and later came standard with a red ramp on a ramp base.

Bill

We would need to see some pictures but, roughly, a clean nickel 29-2 from that era in its original presentation case is would retail for right around $1K. Most gunshops would attempt to squeeze another couple hundred out of it.