I just got this and am thinking it has all of the 'right stuff' to be called a Dirty Harry gun. A model 29-2, 6 1/2" barrel, a nice set of Cokes, and made around 1964 which would put it before the 1971 movie was made. I blurred out the last 2 digits of the serial number. Also a clamshell, period correct, presentation case. I wonder if anyone has written a whole book on this revolver? Any body see anything that might be incorrect?

Attached Images

	Mod 29-2 1964 A.jpg (108.4 KB, 540 views)
	Mod 29-2 1964 B.jpg (100.9 KB, 496 views)
	Mod 29-2 1964 C.jpg (196.6 KB, 560 views)
	Mod 29-2 1964 D.jpg (112.4 KB, 417 views)

Nice gun and accessories.

I like everything about it. Was it a long search?

WILDPIG

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I ain't from around here.

Here is my example. It is a Model 29 no dash and is 1,055 production units after one of the three revolvers used for the movie.

I also have a 29-2, but it does not resemble the Dirty Harry revolver since it has a 4" barrel and a factory nickel finish.

All you need now is a full size movie poster. All I need is a remake of the movie with a Model 29-2 with a 4" barrel and nickel finish.

Attached Images

100_4252.jpg (156.9 KB, 234 views)

The swab should have a brass threaded base and wound galvanized core and the brush should have a brass threaded base and wound brass core. Other than that, everything looks correct for a 1964 Model 29-2.

Bill

Thanks for that info, Doc44. I believe I have those. I had thought that the brass bases ended in the late 50's.

The aluminum threaded base swab appeared in 1977. The aluminum threaded base on the brush appeared earlier, but I am not sure when exactly.

Bill

Yes, I will tell you what is wrong. You nailed it about 10 minutes before me.

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

A absolutely awesome Dirty Harry at that.

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Life is short,live it fully.

I've always wondered if this was all correct; other than the 5 inch pre-29 with a cut barrel, left hand threaded ejector and with a 9/63 rework date. I figured the case may have been mated up when it went back for work. From what I read above the brush and mop are correct.

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Bill Bates

I think the 6.5” m29 is correct, but look closely at the bank robber scene when we’re looking up in the robbers point of view. I sear that m29 has a 8 3/8” barrel to make the gun look even bigger. There’s a few scenes where the barrel length is questionable.
I had a newer m29 drop in my lap nib unshot for $699. I really didn’t want a blue one but for that price being a m29-10 with all the upgraded mods couldn’t pass it up.

I read somewhere there were actually three Model 29's used in the production of the movie. There was also one in the 8 & 3/8" barrel length used for the movie poster since it photo'ed better. Now whether the long barrel revolver was one of the three or not, I don't know or whether it was actually used in the production of the movie.

An internet search reveals a lot o interesting facts about the movie production revolvers to include Clint Eastwood actually messing up the finish of the primary revolver by throwing it along the concrete when he was supposed to throw a rubber gun. It was refinished by S&W and is the one in the NRA Museum (SN: S206981).

Thanks for your post... I always thought the "Dirty-H" gun was an 8 3/8th" gun and was surprised it was a 6 1/2" in barreled gun. Your post fixes that for me in my mind/remembrance!

OP, nice gun, damn nice gun. I've gotta get one of those blue crushed velvet inner presentation boxes!

If you want a cop movie with a 4" 29-2 look no further than Nick Nolte in '48 Hours'.

I love Nolte!

I got the shiny one...not true to the movie, but it came with the badge!

Attached Images

cased2.jpg (100.8 KB, 117 views)

The movie gun was made in 1970 or 1971 and wore correct Targets not "Cokes."

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No life story has happy end.

Here's my 29-2, S230291.

One of these days I'm going to actually shoot it.

I thought Dirty Harry Callahan carried a M29, not a M29-2.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

Model 29-2 in Dirty Harry; Model 29 in Magnum Force.

Bill

Actually it was a 29-3 used in 48 Hours, fitted with a Hogue Rosewood Mono Grip.

The best operator in my radar van -- the same dude with the Colt .25 ACP in the thread "Cheapest Pistol you owned" -- carried a Model 29 in an old leather gym bag; no holster.

Going target shooting with him at the local dump after work is where I got into the habit of wearing two sets of ear protection. "Sarge", as he was known at sports books throughout Las Vegas, carried that ratty bag with him everywhere. Model 29, box of shells, cleaning set, ear muffs and a few beer bottles in case the dump ran out of targets or Prohibition returned.

Sarge swore by the Model 29 as the most accurate man-stopper on the market. No argument here. I found my Model 60 easier on the wallet and eardrums for extended target shooting.

Throw in a good sandwich and that's everything I need for a pretty good day off work!

It seems I have read that the movie company actually wanted the 29 to have a 4 " barrel , easier to " Harry " to draw but couldn't get one and settled for the longer barrel . True or not I don't know for sure . makes interesting reading . I would like to have a 29-2 , but will settle for my 29-10 . The -2's are too " rich " for my blood ($$) . Regards, Paul

Your clamshell presentation case looks brand new!!

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

There were a lot of reports that Model 57s actually were used in the movie "Dirty Harry." I forget the reason why but I recall seeing that many times.

Ed

I like the badge.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

My understanding is that the script called for two nickel finished 4-inch Model 29-2s. When the props people couldn't obtain those, they took what they could get which was a brace of blue Model 29-2s with 6-1/2 inch barrels.

Sorry I sold the one below. At least it went to another member of the Forum.

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Five screws and 3-1/2 inches.

Supposedly 57s replaced the hard to find 29s. Not true. The 29 wasn't hard to find when they made the film, only after it was released.

It's my understanding they wanted a big gun. A really big gun. That's why the 6.5 model was chosen. In some publicity stills an 8 & 3/8 model was used to look even bigger. A 4" was never considered.

Almost 50 years and this topic refuses to go away.

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No life story has happy end.

I do find it interesting that a -2 was used in Dirty Harry and a no dash was used in the sequel.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

The Model 29 (see photo below) used in Magnum Force was provided by John Milius who also wrote the story and the screenplay. Jim Supica, Director of the NRA Firearms Museum, brought the Model 29 for "show and tell" to the S&W Bunch gathering at the show in Tulsa in 2011.

Bill

Thanks Bill. I sure appreciate all that you share with us.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

Kenny...by serial number, the Model 29 used in Magnum Force dates to 1960.

Bill

thanks again

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

It is great to read all the back stories I see on the Forum! Thank you all for sharing details that I find fascinating.

If you worked night shift Park Place or Northeast in the late 1960's to early 70', this was a must have revolver.