I had another project gun in mind when I bought this Model 6291 (629-1) on GunBroker last week. When conversing with the seller, a S&WCA and S&W Forum member, he mentioned to me he had written an article about early Model 629's in the spring of 2013 S&WCA Journal, and the gun I bought was in the article. According to the seller/author, this particular revolver appears to be the lowest Model 629-1 serial number that the seller/author could find in his research with the help of the S&W Historian Roy Jinks. To me if this indeed is the lowest serial number for a Model 629-1, then this is the first such Model 629-1 made (Jan 1982). and should be left in it's original condition. To me there is no real increased value because of it being the first one made, but should be left unaltered if it is. This revolver has a pinned barrel, but a non-recessed cylinder. That in itself is interesting as I have seen many guns with non-pinned barrels, with recessed cylinders. So my question is to all of you Model 629-1 owners, do any of you have a pinned barrel non-recessed cylinder gun stamped Model 6291 with a lower serial number than mine of N 871237? If anyone has one, please let me know, and I will continue on with my project, or if no one has, the gun will be retired to my safe as the first Model 629-1 of it's kind made.
Picture #1 taken by the seller/author as used to sell the revolver, shows the unique stamping of the Model number of 6291 with no dash between the 9 and the 1, and the serial number.

Picture # 2 shows the gun in it's case, either ready to be modified, or to be retired for being the first of it's kind.
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Any information and or photos as to whether this is indeed the first earliest Model 629-1 would be a big help, and greatly appreciated.

Nice gun,
I'd have a hard time chopping that one up.
This is as close as I can get. It's a 4" pinned but non recesed gun.


This is my only transitional 629, I'm pretty sure I have a true no dash thats in the N8 range. Info on these guns are pretty hard to find. Some of the most recent information at least that I'm aware of is in here.

photo of my new no dash 629
I too would like to gather more information on these sixguns.
Chris

Hey Model39
I am keeping a data base on serial numbers and the lowest 629-1 I have is N921xxx shipped in Jul 1982 and N936xxx shipped in Jan 1983! An interesting side note; the type C case you have the gun displayed in is hard to find in that condition. It has the small tag(usually missing) and the yellow lift strap. This type case was used from 1976-1978!

Hey CHW44300
Here is part of a factory letter from Mr. Jinks. This is the start of the 629s!

jcelect

Hey jcelect

Thank you for putting this up!
I really appreciate it.
Care to show and tell about the gun you had lettered?

Chris

You got me curious so I took out my 629-1 4". Behind the yoke it has SN ACU04XX and 629-1. On the butt ACU04XX. I can't find any N. No SN under the ejector star either.

Hey CHW44300
Sorry, I can't show the letter as it is not my gun. A few years ago I received a case for restoration and the letter was under the liners with the rest of the papers shipped with the gun.

Hey M1A
The serial number of your gun tells us it was made after the change to the Alpha-numeric serial numbering system(ABCxxx). Prior to this system S&W used a system of letters with six digits. In the N frame guns the serial numbers were Nxxxxxx. The change was made sometime in late 1982 to early 1983! The 4" and 8 3/8" guns weren't brought out until late 1981. The short production period of the 4" & 8 3/8" guns with pinned barrels, recessed cylinders, and an N serial prefix is what drives the prices up for these guns!
jcelect