I ran across a very nice S&W 29-2 (serial # N123067) this morning and took it home.



It's the first 6.50" barreled example I've seen for a while out in the wild....Mid-70s revolver I guess?

It came with a Aucu-fit holster and a speed-loader....It has the target hammer and trigger option but back then I think that they all did.


Very lightly used....It was priced at $1200.00 but by the time I used some "trade fodder" I had brought along to trade on it I figure I'm into it around $700 or so.

I have a set of smooth N-frame target grips someplace that I'll have to dig out and install.

Attached Images

29 001 (2).jpg (173.7 KB, 14 views)

Very Nice One!

Probably 1973. Looks nice, grips are likely original, think I'd leave them on. $1200 seems a pretty good price even before your trade. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I sure hope that beauty was set on the rocks very carefully!

If it's a '73 then likely so as the medallion roundels are black.

They won't go anywhere (I'll just label them) but I never could stand the checkered Target Stocks but I always liked the smooth ones.

LOL....I bet I have a baker's dozen sets of K & N frame target stocks in my N-Frame grip box....If I part with a revolver I stick them back on because most folks really like them and the revolver will bring more.

I found a set of smooth ones at the same shop a few years back in a bag-o-grips he got in with a bunch of gun parts and squirreled them away.

BTW.....I was looking on e-Bay a bit ago and scored a set of the excellent old Mustang bakelite N-Frame SB grips!

They were the only ones with finger grooves that ever fit my hand....They will go on a Model 57 4".

LOL....I get that alot....No, there's a small closed-cell foam pad under it.

Your 29-2 likely dates to 1974 and the stocks appear to be original to the revolver.

Bill

If it is likely 1974 does that mean the Standard Catalog is incorrect in saying that N200,000 started in 1974? Or perhaps means N200,000 was in mid 1974 and the N100,000+ ran well in to 1974? Or that production occurred in the ranges/dates listed but that shipping was Later? I know you're probably working with close SN ship dates, and I have N136,700 which shipped in July of 1974, so not questioning 1974, just wondering how we should interpret the data in the Standard Catalog? Thanks.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

That's a really nice looking Model 29-2. I think you did well with your acquisition.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

I've always taken it as an estimated manufacturing date as the actual finished-and-ready-to-box date is unknown...I have read more than once from informed sources that the ATF-approved entry date for S&W in their bound book has been the shipping date ever since it was required from 1968 to the present...Prior to 1968 the shipping date was also the acceptable date in S&W records......Ben

__________________
Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

The dates in the SCS&W are general estimates or guidelines. Shipping dates by serial number also vary by model. For example, a Model 27-2 with a serial number in the S310000 range most likely shipped in mid- to late 1968, whereas, a Model 29-2 in the same range most likely shipped a year later.

Bill

Thanks, the manufacturing versus ship date information is fuzzy when considering, as I think the OP was in his post, what the configuration of a gun may be. Especially fuzzy given your point that there can be variance by model in shipping dates. We treat the ship date as the "birth date" because that's all we have but I think the type of stocks and other possible tweaks are based more on the production date as the ship date could be quite awhile after production. Takes a letter to be sure. Thanks again for the clarification.

Jeff

Pristine!
Great price too.
You got a beauty at a bargain.

That’s a beauty! Congratulations on your new S&W .44 Magnum.

It does seem the 6.5” barrel models don’t show up for sale as often as one might expect. The 6.5” is much more pleasant to shoot than a 4-inch, and I find I shoot it just as accurately as the 8-3/8”. It’s my favorite of the three common lengths. Maybe it is for others, too?

Yeah, given that 6" versions are more "rare".

I have a 4" 629 Mountain Revolver and a 4" 5-shot M69.

On the Model 69 I had to go with a rubber grip but I had a set of the excellent Craig Spegel designed Uncle Mike's combat grips to use on it....It tamed it right down.

That's a beauty...doesn't even look like it's been fired! You did great on the price, just too bad the mahogany presentation case didn't come with it. The .44 Magnums and Model 29-2s are some of my favorite N-frames, and I think the 6-1/2" bbl. is tops on my list. I saw this recent video of Roy Huntington shooting his 50 year old 6-1/2" Model 29-2. Congratulations, and enjoy!

Smith & Wesson Model 29 in .44 Magnum - American Handgunner

Attached Images

IMG_3188.jpg (120.8 KB, 7 views)