When I first posted this revolver a couple of years ago, it was fitted with an 8 3/8-inch barrel. The original barrel was kept with the revolver and I had it put back on the frame so the 629 is now "all original" again. It has serial number N629100 and is one of the first five of this model assembled by S&W.

Bill

Very nice, Bill. I have a pretty nice old 4-screw 44 Magnum with a similar story. I have been thinking about having the original barrel re-installed but just haven't taken the plunge yet. I like the dark stocks on the revolver.

Well Doc, to ask a really dumb question, many of the pinned and recessed 629s had a "rough" look to them, that prevented my purchasing several of what would to me be an "ideal" hunting revolver..Has your gun been detailed with a light polish and clean-up, or was it always this sweet looking?? Billy

Billy...the prototypes (in particular) have very nice satin finish that is a little different than the production revolvers. Below is a photo of another prototype, N629193, that has a similar finish and a photo of N777036, a fairly early production 629 that was shipped in September 1980. The finish on it is good, but not quite as good as the finish on the prototype revolvers.

Bill