Hello all! I am new to the Smith and Wesson forum, this is my very first post! I recently purchased a Smith and Wesson 44 Magnum, Model 29-2 and was wondering if anyone would know it's date of manufacture? I have not done a ton of research but I haven't been able to find anywhere online where you can look up the serial number on S&W's. I own many Smith and Wesson handguns, but purchased all of the others in my collection new, so I never had need to look up a date of manufacture before. I've been looking for a nice 29-2 for years, and finally found one. The price was nice, less than a thousand, so when I saw it I immediately scooped it up! If anyone can help me I'd greatly appreciate it! I have attached photos of the gun.

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N4156xx would put it late 1977. I have a M27-2, N4479xx that was shipped Feb 22, 1978, so it is a bit earlier than that

Appears to be in excellent condition. I'd say you did very well for "less than a thousand." I have a 29-2 in the N454XXX range which I show as 1977. Welcome to the Forum. Anyone with "many" S&Ws should be a member here and visit often. Maybe join the SWCA too.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

It is in very good condition. When I saw it in the case and saw the price, I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough! Has all of the original paperwork as well. I purchased this at the range that I am at at least once a week. I came in one morning and this had just come in on consignment. It had aftermarket black rubber grips, and the rear sight was missing... Hence the 800 dollar price... Due to its condition I bought it immediately, and figured I'd locate the parts online... But, I got lucky... Not more than 2 days after I bought it, the older gentleman whom had owned the gun located the original grips and the rear sight assembly!! He gave them to me for FREE! I offered to pay him multiple times and he refused to take any money. I explained that the gun in that condition now that it has its original grips and rear sights is worth at least twice what I paid for it, and he would not take a dime from me... He said he was just happy that someone was going to use it again. Honestly I feel kinda of bad getting such a deal.

Thank you very much everyone for the help. I am very glad to have found this forum. I was just browsing it and are overwhelmed at all of the info available on here.

Great post! Thanks for sharing and welcome to the Forum. Looking forward to other posts of your collection.

Todd

I'm not surprised. I have had similar situations arise. I've bought guns from other S&W collectors and had them throw extras in gratis. I've tried to take advantage of opportunities to help others also, by giving to them stuff they need. It's part of being in the fraternity of collectors. That's just who we are.

Don't. Just look for a chance to pass the blessings on in turn.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Don’t feel bad. You offered more money and he declined. You did the right thing. He wanted the gun to go to someone like you, so I think you both should be (are) happy. Nice 44. Congratulations on a nice catch. Hope you get a lot of enjoyment from it.

I have already gotten a lot of enjoyment out of this gun, thank you! Ive fired a few boxes of magnum rounds through it, but my aging wrists don't take too kindly to the recoil haha, so at the range I mostly shoot 44 special rounds. Thank you all for the kind comments. I've never owned a 44 Magnum, I've always wanted one, looked for one, but never found one that was affordable, I almost pulled the trigger om a 29 with an 8 inch barrel a few year's ago, but the bluing wasn't in very good condition and someone had mounted a scope on it... And it was an asking price of 1100. I almost bought it but talked myself out of it. I have trouble walking away from a gun that I really like sometimes, I'm sure you all know that when you have the addiction, sometimes we tend to spend way too much money on impulse when we see something that we like! My wife tolerates my addiction because she too has the "bug", we enjoy the range and is one of the activities that we both agree on, but she sometimes gets irritated when I spend a little too much... That is sometimes a factor when I am looking at something that I want but really don't need!! Haha!

This was another recent Smith purchase of mine, a newer model 686, 357 Magnum 7 shot revolver. It was used, but very little. The owner purchased it last year, and decided to trade in for something else that he wanted. He added these aftermarket wood grips, it originally came with the rubber grips. I'm not sure of the manufacturer of these grips, there is no makers mark but I definitely like them.

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Welcome to the Forum! Sounds like you got a great deal on your new revolver, complete with the mahogany presentation case and goodies. Glad you were able to get the stocks and rear sight from the original owner, too. Lots of .44 Magnum and Model 29 fans here on the Forum, and some of our members are true experts with tons of knowledge! Like you, a few .44 Magnum loads are enough for me and then I'll switch to .44 Spl. Like Dirty Harry in "Magnum Force"- I use "a light special" load. Enjoy!

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