I think for just the gun no box that is a bit high, but it is your money not ours. If you really want it offer what you personally think it's worth and see what happens. I picked up a 1958 model 29 no dash 6-1/2 barrel for $1100 it has a bit of bluing wear at the muzzle, but locks up like a bank vault. I had offered the guy this amount he initially turned me down, but called a few days later to ask if I still wanted it.
Looks very nice; the reflections on the frame show a very smooth finish and no wear. At a 1980 date, there were no more 6-1/2 inch barrels, they were D/C'd in 1979. I'm agreed, the price is a bit high and would expect ANIB condition for that price, but, hey, you're the one shopping, and maybe you shouldn't let it get away. Pristine revolvers like that are getting harder to find.
I agree....price is too high. I bought a 29-2 recently for $1100. But it was factory nickel, never fired by owner, presentation box with tools, all in excellent condition!
I'd say the asking price is high ...and factory but not original stocks.
Thanks Alan, and everyone
I agree... too high.
This forum is a good place to elicit current pricing trends from actual buyers, and it looks like the seller is a year or two (?) ahead.
I’ve been trying to locate a “Notable Thread” discussing Presentation Stocks; I can’t seem to find it.
Am I imagining there was one highlighting this topic regarding the question of originality?
Depending on where you are you might want to keep looking. Saw some crazy prices on older N frames at last weekend's gun show that make what you're considering seem a bargain; blue 29-2 6.5 with box/papers $3950, 4 inch 29-2 blue with box/papers $3850, blue 29-3 4 inch with box/papers $1975. None of the three looked LNIB although I didn't handle them. On the other hand I bought this 6.5 nickel with "customized" stocks at another show in February for $900 and added the target stocks so maybe $1000 in it. Good luck.
Those stocks do not look to be original S&W smooth presentation, and are most likely an inexpensive reproduction. Smooth presentation stocks do not really detract from the price as long as they're original. Some people like myself actually prefer them and scour the internet looking for pristine examples (that are original).
Around here in central coastal Virginia there are very few N Frame S&W's to be seen anywhere, including pawn shops, LGS, meager "shows" and even the Estate auctions have been dry wells lately.
With the above said (my opinion only) it still seems like a very high price that the OP's noted for gun only with incorrect stocks for the gun. Even for shooting, the presentation stocks are likely to be fairly slippery if touching off full load maggies.
My 29-2, 6", blue, P&R shipped New Years Eve in 1980 per factory LOA. Mine has all original configuration and only a very, very light turn line. Also has the factory presentation case with original tools unopened. The flocking is gone, turned to dust ages ago, but still I have the "package" insured for $1,500, and the LOA cost $75 back when I got it.
Maybe I'll need to revisit my insurance values in light of "current" pricing, but those are asking prices, so I'll probably hold what I got until completed auctions start showing actual realization of those sky high prices. If the completed prices become real and holding, and then add in the buyers premium, shipping, insurance.....well you know the drill. Heck..the firearms premium adder might approach the homeowners premium!
The attached pics are what a 29-2 that shipped in 1980 should look like. For the Op's noted gun only I would say $900 to $1,100 tops.
People are buying everything & anything right now. Any S&W revolver is quickly bought-up in my area. There seems to be no shortage of people with $$. And as the population increases, the amount of available pre-lock S&W decreases.
All that to say, if the prices in reasonable to you, buy it. Will you have another opportunity in the future?
Depending on where you are you might want to keep looking. Saw some crazy prices on older N frames at last weekend's gun show that make what you're considering seem a bargain; blue 29-2 6.5 with box/papers $3950, 4 inch 29-2 blue with box/papers $3850, blue 29-3 4 inch with box/papers $1975. None of the three looked LNIB although I didn't handle them.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Those sound like "I don't really want to sell them, but if someone will throw a lot of money at me, why not" prices.
Gosh, $1700 is high, but they are not made anymore, and someone is going to pay this price. The grips are off, and 6" is unique, but it is a good looking gun never the less. Lightly fired is even better. Knowing what I know about the gun (I have a 6.5" never fired when I bought it), I would seriously consider paying this amount.
That's probably an ''asking price''.Try to jiggle it down a bit as it seems a bit high.But if you want/need a model 29 right now and can't find another one nearby,get it.Just make sure you'll keep it a few years and its value will keep going up so after a few years you'll recoup your investment.....if you ever want to sell it.
Over the eight yrs that I’ve been a member here I have read more reasons why anything beyond a 29-1 selling for a thousand dollars or more is a fluke and wont last. But every year the dash two’s and even the dash three now have slowly caught up to the high prices.Used N frames in my area have been in line comparing against auction sale prices ( Less ). For what it’s worth the Colt boys seem to always mention a higher value for S & W then you tend to find here.
4 years ago I bought a lightly used, blued, 6", 29-3 for $800 in a private party sale. My youngest son went with me and said all the way home, "I can't believe you paid THAT much money for that revolver!" He sees the prices for a same condition (sometimes not as good as) same model revolver on the auction sites and says "I can't believe you paid ONLY that much money for that revolver!" We had to drive 4 hours west of my place to get it. At one point I stopped along side of the road and said to him, "You're my son, and I love you dearly, but if you don't shut up you'll be walking home." lol Moral of the story is, if you truly want it, you can afford it (and won't be eating ramen noodles for 2 months), then by all means get it and don't look back. There are countless stories I've heard from folks walking away from such a situation only to later say, "I shoulda bought it when I had the chance."
I've owned this 29-2 since I bought it, in like new condition, sometime around 1980. With the wood box and tools (no cardboard sleeve) for $325. The S/N N369xxx puts it in '76 production according to other forum members.
I bought presentation stocks for it back then at a LGS that had a counter display of optional S&W stocks. I no longer have the original checkered ones. I don't remember where they went.
I can tell you that, around here (MA), at shows, I've never seen 29s going for more than $1300. I attribute that to the fact that you can still buy one new, albeit with the "hole".
$1700 is strong for a 6 inch, in my opinion, although it is P&R.
Unless the China virus thing has affected prices that much.
Gun shows haven't started up again yet around here and I don't watch the auction sites that much.
I know the serious collectors won’t buy the Klingon hole revolvers. Too bad they seem to be ok with me. I’m not going for the high priced guns. I wanted to replace my python I sold but not for $3k++.
My nib never fired by the PO with blue case, presentation case, papers m29-10/6.5” barrel 44 mag in blue was $699 at one LGS. I can look past the Klingon hole at that cost. Weeks before my other LGS had a sale of all s&w n frames at $699 too. All finishes, all barrel lengths and calibers we’re on sale. Even with the Klingon hole there still quality revolvers. For $699 that’s a deal for quality steel. Does this mean he dumped them for his dealer cost?
The funny thing is if S&W omits the loc gun buyers will be buying up the loc guns to collect them before there gone.
When I was in business the markup on logging supplies was 100%. You paid $50 to buy it from the wholesaler and sold it for $100. Think about it. A $699 sale on a $1,200 list price?
I know the serious collectors won’t buy the Klingon hole revolvers. Too bad they seem to be ok with me. I’m not going for the high priced guns. I wanted to replace my python I sold but not for $3k++.
My nib never fired by the PO with blue case, presentation case, papers m29-10/6.5” barrel 44 mag in blue was $699 at one LGS. I can look past the Klingon hole at that cost. Weeks before my other LGS had a sale of all s&w n frames at $699 too. All finishes, all barrel lengths and calibers we’re on sale. Even with the Klingon hole there still quality revolvers. For $699 that’s a deal for quality steel. Does this mean he dumped them for his dealer cost?
The funny thing is if S&W omits the loc gun buyers will be buying up the loc guns to collect them before there gone.
When I was in business the markup on logging supplies was 100%. You paid $50 to buy it from the wholesaler and sold it for $100. Think about it. A $699 sale on a $1,200 list price?
I realize that price and availability varies to a great degree by location.
I have only seen 2 S&W revolvers in my local pawns in the last 6 months.
0 N frames.
In Jan. Of 2020 I found this eye candy for a reasonable price. Those times may have left us. Sub 1k.
The prices on the older s&w revolvers varies. We’re well over $1,000 up to $1,200 for an average starting point. I’m seeing them all over the place price wise. I look again the next day there marked sold. Or the bids are higher. Between $1,200 to $3,000 the Klingon hole doesn’t look bad.
Second thoughts it’s only paper money if you have it go for the gusto. We only pass this way once.
29-2 Pricing Thoughts?
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