S&W 44 mag with 5 inch barrel

B

bradyp

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2025
Messages
9
Reaction score
46
Recently inherited a 44 mag with 5 inch barrel, special order. Have two letters from Smith and Wesson to my FIL comfirming serial numbers and validity (one from 1969 and the other 1981). Also have original sales receipt and the wooden collectors box it came in. I've seen where it's a rare model and I'm looking for an idea on it's current value. Thanks in advance, much appreciated.
 

Attachments

  • 44mag.jpg
    44mag.jpg
    173.2 KB · Views: 275
  • IMG_2076.jpg
    IMG_2076.jpg
    83.5 KB · Views: 245
  • IMG_2075.jpg
    IMG_2075.jpg
    66.2 KB · Views: 211
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Number one pictures help, also, how do you know it’s special order? and are you measuring the barrel correctly from the face of the cylinder not just out in front of the frame.
Tom
 
Welcome! Quite a first post.

The documents (presumably signed by Roy Jinks?) would be definitive documentation for the gun. Any mention it was shipped to HH Harris in Chicago?

Photos would help with a value estimate, but a pristine example would be worth a lot. Doc44, the local (you guessed it) .44 Magnum expert, will probably chime in at some point.
 
Last edited:
Hi Alan, yes, signed by Roy Jinks. I will post pics asap
 
  • Like
Reactions: A10
first timer question here, but easiest way to attach pics? All I see is 'Please enter the URL of your image:'
 
bradyp said:
first timer question here, but easiest way to attach pics? All I see is 'Please enter the URL of your image:'
Click to expand...

When you create a new post, when hitting "post reply" look down some and there will be a part that says "manage attachments"- you upload up to five pics there. If you need to do more than five, then create another new post and you can add five more etc etc etc.
Like If I scroll down some while Im writing this, I can see "additional options" and you will see "manage attachments" there...
Additionally you can go back and edit your original post and do the same by scrolling down and adding the pics under "additional options"
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2025-03-20 at 11.39.52 AM.jpg
    Screenshot 2025-03-20 at 11.39.52 AM.jpg
    27.8 KB · Views: 25
Last edited:
I can tell from the picture that is a 5" barrel. I am pretty sure that with all the supporting records, the value is pretty stout. IMHO, it is worth more as a great useful tool.
 
The documentation says 5 inch and the shipping label says 5 inch but the shipping label is for a Model 27 with an N serial number. Certainly worth more than the same standard length guns from the period. My SWAG, and I'll try to look up recent 5 inch auction prices, is between $3500 to $5000. Maybe more at an auction with several folks who might badly want it. The several hundred made a few years earlier sell in that range anyway.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
Last edited:
Hey thanks, I had indeed posted the wrong photo of the box end. I appreciate you pointing that out
 
44 Magnums (Pre-29, Model 29, and Model 29-2) with a 5-inch barrel and nickel finish are very rare with fewer than twenty reported by collectors. These guns have sold for $10,000 when offered for sale (rarely do you see one offered). The mahogany presentation case you have dates from 1975 to 1978 and is too new for your 29-2. The smooth stocks are probably not original but are not mentioned in the letters. While I don't have a reason to doubt the originality of the nickel finish, the letters do not state what finish the 29-2 was shipped with. You should obtain a letter that actually addresses the finish. In addition, there should be an N stamped on the lower left-hand corner of the grip frame and possibly on the cylinder (possibly under the extractor). Congratulations on acquiring what appears to be a very rare and desirable S&W.

Bill
 
Beautiful gun and outstanding stocks. I see a butt plate on the bottom of the stocks (grips), could we get a pic of it? That might be enlightening if it has a badge or engraving.
 
Yes, he told me a little about the gun. He was a policeman and bought it to wear on the job...in the late 60's he said you could use whatever gun you wanted to. (He also had a shotgun that was 'modified' - I have that now too) He soon discovered that he was going to have to qualify using the sidearm he carried daily (50 shots) and he quickly went back to his old gun! He said there was 'no way he wanted to shoot 50 rounds with that beast'
 
Doc44 said:
44 Magnums (Pre-29, Model 29, and Model 29-2) with a 5-inch barrel and nickel finish are very rare with fewer than twenty reported by collectors. These guns have sold for $10,000 when offered for sale (rarely do you see one offered). The mahogany presentation case you have dates from 1975 to 1978 and is too new for your 29-2. The smooth stocks are probably not original but are not mentioned in the letters. While I don't have a reason to doubt the originality of the nickel finish, the letters do not state what finish the 29-2 was shipped with. You should obtain a letter that actually addresses the finish. In addition, there should be an N stamped on the lower left-hand corner of the grip frame and possibly on the cylinder (possibly under the extractor). Congratulations on acquiring what appears to be a very rare and desirable S&W.

Bill
Click to expand...

Welcome to the Forum, bradyp! You made quite an entrance with that outstanding and extremely rare nickel 5" Model 29-2. Doc44 has provided some great information, as usual...but some more pics of your revolver's grip frame and cylinder would help to provide a positive ID. Congratulations on a wonderful inheritance. Enjoy!
 
Grip/cylinder pics

Posting a few pics as requested. There was indeed an 'N' on the grip frame. Let me know what you think, I sure appreciate all the input.
 

Attachments

  • 44mag5.jpg
    44mag5.jpg
    215.4 KB · Views: 105
  • 44mag4.jpg
    44mag4.jpg
    124.2 KB · Views: 105
  • 44mag3.jpg
    44mag3.jpg
    79.3 KB · Views: 120
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Doc44
44 Magnum Barrel Lengths
Replies
7
Views
743
Doc44
Doc44
Doc44
Model 629, 5-inch
Replies
8
Views
604
Casual Smith Nut
C
K
Model 25-5 with a 5" Barrel
Replies
8
Views
835
DR505
DR505
C
S&W 17-2 5 Inch Barrel
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
Engine49guy
Engine49guy
B
Pre-29 44 mag 5" barrel?
2
Replies
23
Views
1K
22hipower
22hipower

Latest posts

Back
Top