Did S&W ever produce a fixed site 44 Magnum? Perhaps similar to the Model 57 in 41 Magnum?

Regards, Racingsnake

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Did S&W ever produce a fixed site 44 Magnum? Perhaps similar to the Model 57 in 41 Magnum?

Regards, Racingsnake

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Yes they did. My buddy has one and I believe that there's one for sale in the classifieds. It hads a 2.5 or 3" bbl. I don't recall which.

The S&W fixed sighted .41 is called the model 58 BTW.

The only 44 magnum fixed sight I'm aware of is the 629-5 2 1/2" barrel prelock & 629-6 W/Lock. If I'm missing something others will chime in...And maybe you meant Model 58...Notime2

S&W made three of these in 1974...the first 44 Magnum with fixed sights.

Bill

In the early 90's I bought a Performance Center 629 which had a three-inch lugged heavy barrel with a built-in compensator and a round butt, with fixed sights. It was called the "Carry Comp."

you can always count on Bill.

I was just about to post that Doc probably has one but you were faster than me Bill

OMG!!! That is fantastic. Would you be interested in some sort of a trade? Like my first born male child? How about if I throw in my right arm?

Do I detect a semi-Fitz TG?

Thank you all for your responses - I had no idea such models existed. Doc that is indeed a magnificent revolver! Racingsnake

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sub-moa...the front half of the trigger guard has been thinned and the 44 has a smooth, combat trigger and target hammer. The round butt is custom and was shaped at the factory and then the stocks were made to fit it.

Bill

I love seeing that one Bill. Its even better in person, so is it coming to Tulsa again??



Chris

I saw a fixed-sight 4" .44 Magnum at the big Tulsa gun show last spring. It had been made by combining a Model 29 barrel and cylinder with a Model 58 frame. It was priced at $700 but as I had just spent a buncha money I passed on it. Looked nice, though.

Three in 1973? What a beautiful revolver!
There must be more to the story .... what happened to the other two, and what prompted S&W to run up the original three revolvers?

9303...The three revolvers (N153333 (the one picture), N153444, N153555) are in the hands of collectors. They were ordered by the owner of American Firearms Warehouse, who had connections in the S&W factory. Each revolver was made by combining a Model 58 frame with an extensively modified Model 29 barrel. The box for this revolver indicates the gun is a 29-58. It is stamped simply MOD. 29 in the yoke cut. In order to avoid paying for the extensive work that went into creating these guns, they were invoiced as regular Model 58s. Eventually, S&W became aware of what was going on and took appropriate actions to put a stop to it.

Quite a few specials were made this way before the practice was stopped. I have a Model 25-2 with an 8 3/8-inch barrel and target stocks made of birds eye maple that was made for the same person. It was invoiced as a regular Model 25-2 with a 6 1/2-inch barrel. Othe examples are various guns with serial number 3 (K3, N3, etc.).

Bill

9303...The three revolvers (N153333 (the one picture), N153444, N153555) are in the hands of collectors. They were ordered by the owner of American Firearms Warehouse, who had connections in the S&W factory. Each revolver was made by combining a Model 58 frame with an extensively modified Model 29 ba

9303...The three revolvers (N153333 (the one picture), N153444, N153555) are in the hands of collectors. They were ordered by the owner of American Firearms Warehouse, who had connections in the S&W factory. Each revolver was made by combining a Model 58 frame with an extensively modified Model 29 barrel. The box for this revolver indicates the gun is a 29-58. It is stamped simply MOD. 29 in the yoke cut. In order to avoid paying for the extensive work that went into creating these guns, they were invoiced as regular Model 58s. Eventually, S&W became aware of what was going on and took appropriate actions to put a stop to it.

Why this gun was requested is a mystery and will probably remain so.

Quite a few specials were made this way before the practice was stopped. I have a Model 25-2 with an 8 3/8-inch barrel and target stocks made of birds eye maple that was made for the same person. It was invoiced as a regular Model 25-2 with a 6 1/2-inch barrel. Other examples are various guns with serial number 3 (K3, N3, etc.).

Bill

Fascinating! How'd you learn this and -- even more intriguing -- how did you happen to acquire this particular gun?

Bill,

You are quite correct and these were not the only cases of "specials" which left the factory through the years. Not illegal, as they were properly serially numbered and recorded. But the factory bigwhigs, including Bill Gunn and his successor, did not want these "deals" going on as they made it appear that management was not in full control. Then again, the "BIG BOYS" themselves knew where the bread was buttered and did special deals for certain S&W distributors.

Thanks Bill...That really is an interesting and well executed piece, congratulations. Beyond collecting, I'd look at it as a practical gunbag piece for day hikes in NW Wyoming and fishing the Shoshoni in the Wapiti Valley.

The semi-Fitz TG is a nice touch too.

If I could ever bring myself to cut-up an M58, I might just build a Frankengun version of yours. Cut the frame round butt and re-bore the cylinder, NBD, but 3" no ramp .44 Magnum barrel?

[quote]Originally posted by sub-moa:
OMG!!! That is fantastic. Would you be interested in some sort of a trade? Like my first born male child? How about if I throw in my right arm?

QUOTE]

Wow - I had heard the price of guns was going up, but jeez. . . .

This particular 44 Magnum belonged to a well known collector and S&WCA member whose collection was auctioned to members of the S&WCA after his untimely death in the mid-90s. That is how I eventually acquired the revolver.

I have carried this revolver in the Scapegoat Wilderness on several hunting trips to Montana. Its short barrel makes it an idea gun for horseback.

Bill

Now, why haven't I thought of that before?
I love fixed sights and always wanted a 4" fixed 29 to shoot, and there's a old nickel 58 here some place! NOW ya got me thinking again

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Love triumphs over all.

Doc44, that is just "sick!" IMHO, the ultimate S&W!

I'm not sure the horse would agree. The muzzle blast must be horrible for the poor animal.

If I were a horse and ya fired that snub nosed hand cannon in my ear , I'd rear up and dump ya onto the nice soft pile of fresh road apples I just made.

He did not say for shooting while on horseback.
If he was to fire from the saddle,it would probably be to
deter something both the horse and Doc would be afraid of.

That said,I know by his nature that Doc is a careful and
considered man.He better darn well take good care of that beauty!

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Firing any gun (revolver or rifle) from horseback would only result from a set of very unusual circumstances (life threatening!!). My reference to horseback refers to the ease of carry because of the short barrel.

I have carried 6 1/2-inch 44 Magnums on horseback and they are more problematic than the short one.

Bill

These are my fixed sight 629s; a Performance Center Carry Comp and a 629-6. Not as nice as Doc44's beautiful piece, his is truly a work of art.

My 2.5" Model 629-6

The trigger guard was one of Bill Jordan's trademarks on his model 19s. I found a 19 in a gun shop some years back and correponded with him concerning it. He was surprised to hear that the factory had produced a 19 in that configuration. Turns out it was an over run for a Border Patrol commemorative. To see it on a fixed sighted N-Frame makes my mouth water!

Dan

I need one of these 629 fixed sighted 44 snubs!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/wanted-...-snubnose.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sa...hted-snub.html

Boy, that 29 fixed sights just is the cat's meow. Of all the time I've wasted...uh er...invested in/on this forum that revolver is top 5 at least. The 29-1's are hot, but Doc's is the final meow.

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beaver

I had kept a clipping and reference to this one as I do alot of engraved guns. It's in the 1965 Guns Digest in the 'Engravers Art' section.
Took me a while to find the picture but here it is:








Wondering if anyone out there has ever seen this revolver or has any knowledge of it.

The GDigest pics were never the best. Did a little to clear them up, etc.
No markings on the right side of the barrel.

Looks like they used a TL for the basis.

Quite a custom job including those grips.

Here you go

..................................

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Oh, I am sick now. You mean if I went to Tulsa, I could have met Dave Keith and seen Bill's little 44 too. OHhhhhhhhhhh.........

Hey, Bill didn't tell you the cool part. Only 3 made and he SHOT it!!!! What a man!

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Or. Just buy mine. Their for sale.

I have a 3" 629-6 PC "Carry Comp" SN NMCO150 factory letter says 288 were made. Shoots good but the trigger is not as nice as my 6.5" 29-2. I still love it. I hunt bear and it is always with me in the north woods of the USA. I can't take it to Canada.

old 1911 fan