What is a "Pre-Model" 29 And What Are They Worth?

[panhandle_gunslinger]

Hello Forum...I read all the threads to make sure that ya'll haven't discussed this topic before and I did not find one; so I thought I'd ask a few questions. There's the Model 29, 29-1, 29-2 etc...so where does the Pre-Model 29 fit in the scheme of the wonderful world of 29's?

Also Let me ask about price...I have my eye on a Pre-29 with a 4" barrel, blue, 4 screw, serial number S-180XXX, and the overall condition is about 90% (from the pictures). The seller is asking about $2,000. Is he crazy, or is it worth it?

Please guide me in the decision making process...

Thanks

[murphydog]

All S & W guns prior to 1957 had a name; afterward they were all assigned a model number. The model 29 was called the .44 Magnum.

I have been guessing low on values recently according to my peers on the Forum, but I will risk another guess and say the price for the 4" as stated is too high. Hope this is helpful.

[jughed440]

murphydog, would it be correct to say that all 5 screw 29s are
pre-29s"??

[PH-2]

panhandle,

The gun named 44 Magnum became the model 29 after 1957, or so.
The 357 Magnum became the model 27, the M&P begat model 10, and so-on.

I don't know if the seller is crazy, but he's pretty proud of that 90% gun.

Mike

[murphydog]

Originally Posted by jughed440

murphydog, would it be correct to say that all 5 screw 29s are
pre-29s"??

I think so; there are 4-screw pre-29s, so unless one slipped through to the model marked guns all 5-screws should be as well. Doc44 will know for sure...

[Allen in MT]

I would say he put that high price on it because he really isn't interested in selling.

[NFrameFred]

The thing is, not just everyone is impressed with owning one of the few first production guns and to someone with that mindset it's just another 44 and not worth a whole lot more.

Then there are those who think that because they are pre-model guns that they are worth a king's ransom no matter what the condition.

I tend to fall in between that - some would never pay what I paid for mine, but I have no doubt I can get the money back and likely more any time I choose. Mine isn't pristine by any means and I'm in awe of Doc44 and these guys whose specimens look as if they went straight from the final polishing/clean up bench at the factory to their hands and survive in that condition 56 years later. But they only made what they made, there aren't any more, I consider it a piece of history that only a certain type of gun owner can appreciate, and they were made in few enough numbers that I feel like it was one of my 'grail guns' and would sacrifice a few lesser specimens to obtain it. And like I said, though far from pristine to have one with the blue presentation case and tools is my part in preserving history and hopefully passing it to someone younger eventually to become more knowledgeable and passionate about the hobby/sport.

And for those who know the type I'm talking about, they can't yammer "Yeah, I got two of those at home in the safe". There are a few here who can say that with authority ( and more than just two in the safe for many) but the average dinker who tries to peddle that line about that particular gun is usually blowing smoke. I'm not a car guy, but I would compare it to obtaining something like an original Shelby Cobra. They're not exactly "common" (though the concentration of them by members on this board and the collectors they associate with probably comprises the bulk of the known surviving specimens worth having). They'll continue to turn up here and there as the years go by, and I'm quite certain they won't be getting cheaper any time soon. There will always be those like I described above that overprice them, but as a rule (IMO) the prices I've seen here have been comparatively reasonable considering the number made and what a new offering would cost you at you average gun shop. YMMV.

[Doc44]

All 5-screw 44 Magnums I have seen or know of do not have a model number stamped in the yoke cut and are "Pre-Model 29s". Model numbers began to be stamped at approximately serial number S184000 in 1958, even though S&W authorized it in June 1957. Each gun retained its name after model numbers were assigned and the All Model Circulars simply show a model number that was added to the description.

Finally, a 44 Magnum with a 4-inch barrel in 90 percent condition is worth around $850 to a $1,000 (assuming the stocks are correct and in decent shape).

Bill

[gaijin]

Here's a "4-screw" pre 29:

[panhandle_gunslinger]

Thanks for your valuable insight. I got exactly what I asked for and that was help in making my decision. In this particular case, I decided to pass...