A friend wants to sell me this interesting commemorative model 29-3. It was a commemorative for the North American Hunting Club, one of 350 (although I can't find a specific number); the serial number appears to be B BB49XX. Obviously it comes in a locking presentation case. I can't find any information on the NAHC commemorative anywhere on the web. I'm guessing it was made in the 1980s. It is NOT P&R but obviously pre-lock. The gun itself is perfect, unfired, unblemished, supposedly the cylinder has never been turned (there is a very light line visible). The presentation case is not perfect; has a few dings. There are no accessories, tools, manuals, or anything else except the key for the case. What would a fair price be for this gun? He is asking 1K which sounds very reasonable for a gun like this. Now all I have to do is find a grand somewhere...

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The reality of commemoratives is they sell for less than undecorated but other wise identical production guns. The only exception is commemoratives that have significantly different features that were never offered on production guns like different barrel shapes, or better, unusual chamberings. A NIB 29-3 is worth roughly$750 to $800. Deduct about $100 for the decorations.

I agree with k22fan, except I think a standard NIB 29-3 would be worth a grand. I don't see too many used ones for less than $750.

Is this true of Smith's own commemoratives, like the 125th and 150th anniversary guns, anniversary of the 357 magnum and 44 magnum, etc.?

In most cases yes; generally there is nothing "special" about commemoratives that make them worth a premium, including the S&W versions. Sometimes the commemoratives offer a bargain opportunity if one wants a shooter though. One example is the WWI battle commemorative 1911s that Colt made around 1968. They are typical Colt factory quality (from that timeframe) but can be found NIB (well, new in framed package) in the $800 to $1000 range. Try finding a Colt pre-series 70 NIB for under $1000. Yet you have the same quality and handling characteristics. So, I'm happy to buy a commemorative if I intend to shoot it, but not so much for investment potential.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

While a few collector books claim factory designed commemoratives are a special case and deserve higher prices than similarly decorated commemoratives that were special ordered by organizations and distributors, in my observation the factory’s own commemoratives sell for less than standard production equivalents the same as other commemoratives. Those books may be wrong because they are ignoring the quantities produced. The SCSW does not give the quantity of 29-8 150th Anniversaries but writes there were 2,501 .357 Magnum 50th Year Commemoratives and 10,000 125 Year Commemorative .45 Colts. Contrast that against 350 of the commemorative you are considering.

It seems most commemoratives are for sale by misguided investors who are all chasing the mythical collector of unfired commemoratives. It is not your responsibility to pay for their bad investment decision.

I’m not flat out against all commemoratives. I own a few purchased from local gun stores that did not have their pride at stake.

Are you confusing 29-3s with pined & recessed 29-2s? 29-3s are usually the least expensive 29s because they are neither pined & recessed for collectors nor upgraded with the endurance package. 29-3s are the 19-5 of 29s. Their price deserves to be even lower compared to the more desirable dashes since there was no endurance upgrade in K frames. Along with making S&W .44 magnums function correctly with more recoil the endurance package shrank forcing cones and tightened cylinder throats.

Newbie question but Does the right side grip have a speed loader cut out along with the left one? Thought the cutout was only on the cylinder "swing out" side.

On further inspection looks like they did that so the engraving can be seen. (How'd I do?)

You advanced out of "Newbie" classification.

Glad I found this discussion. I have a retired trooper wanting to sell a commemorative sheriff addition model 29. I have only seen photos, but appears to be a 6". He stated it is 1 of 300. He too is asking 1K for it. Never been fired, comes with the wooden case. I offered to pay what he paid for it years ago, or $750. He turned me down. Probably a good thing. I have served as a deputy sheriff, so it does appeal to me, but not that much...