oger
SWCA Member
I am looking at a Bob Chow done and marked 629 and I really have no idea how much the name Chow on the weapon adds to the price. Any ideas?
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Bob Chow
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Pocketrocket
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7shooter
Member
Was he a coauthor of Pow Wow Chow ? ( Joke )
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Can you share information about the Chow 629 ? I haven’t seen a modern Smith Chow before. Thank you for sharing with us.
I doubt it.. F. Bob Chow was Asian.
In my early 20's, I used to frequent his shop on Mission street in San Francisco. Ever the consummate gentleman, he indulged this budding young shooter by giving advice about getting into Bullseye shooting, what I could start out with, without breaking the bank.
For 1911 accuracy work in the 60's and 70's, he was among the ranks of such greats as Jim Clarke, Frank Pachmayr, and Armand Swenson.
Back in the early 1960's the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) contracted Bob to build 200 accurized pistols for them... I'd say that's some kind of credentials.
A "CHOW" marked 1911's carries quite a premium, I'm less familiar with his revolver work.
rockquarry
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I think he also sold guns (target pistols?) on a retail basis. I have a Model 52. The S&W blue cardboard box has a Bob Chow gun shop sticker/price tag on it.
Echoing Gunhacker's excellent post, Chow's name is legendary in 1911 world and a legit Chow 1911 gets the interest of real aficionados of guns worked on by the old masters, a small but legit subgroup of collectors.
To my knowledge Chow isn't known for his S&W work; a confirmed Chow tuned 629 would I think get a small premium over a comparable stock 629, but not necessarily what one of his 1911s would, or a 629 worked on by Clark or Behlert, to name just a couple.
This one probably comes down to how much you like and want this particular revolver; if it's for you, a small premium is appropriate, but no one's scouring the classified for a Chow S&W, and if the seller is treating it like gold, I'd walk.
To my knowledge Chow isn't known for his S&W work; a confirmed Chow tuned 629 would I think get a small premium over a comparable stock 629, but not necessarily what one of his 1911s would, or a 629 worked on by Clark or Behlert, to name just a couple.
This one probably comes down to how much you like and want this particular revolver; if it's for you, a small premium is appropriate, but no one's scouring the classified for a Chow S&W, and if the seller is treating it like gold, I'd walk.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Didn’t know he worked on revolvers.
What did he do to the 629?
What did he do to the 629?
F. Bob Chow was well-known for his work on 1911's accurized for bullseye target shooting. I think that is where the limited collector interest lies. I don't think that there should be much of a premium for the revolver, just because of the name. Now if the action is really slick and all the other mechanical specs are spot on, there might be a premium based on this work from any qualified pistolsmith.
Post pictures of the 629, its history (use, care, etc.), and the specific work Chow did...
What are you finding in your research of finished sales on 629s of similar vintage and condition?
Do you see any letters with the Chow stamp or just the name Chow?
On his 1911's he marked on underside of the slide CHOW with MM YY (month/year) and letter codes to identify the work he performed "FA" = Full Accuracy, "NM"= National Match Barrel, "ST" = Stippling, "**" = Bomar Sight... so I'm wondering if he might have "coded" his work somewhere on the 629.
On his 1911's he marked on underside of the slide CHOW with MM YY (month/year) and letter codes to identify the work he performed "FA" = Full Accuracy, "NM"= National Match Barrel, "ST" = Stippling, "**" = Bomar Sight... so I'm wondering if he might have "coded" his work somewhere on the 629.
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blaiwayw
Member
Years ago, I bought an upper for a 1911 project. It has this on the slide.
Attachments
I have a Chow high power, but I have no idea what was done to the gun other than the ejection port was altered and the barrel stamped Chow.
IMO, all that does is ruin the looks of one of the most iconic guns ever made. No added value from where I am sitting.........Ciao
I agree.....I didn’t have it done but somebody had to own it and I got it at a very cheap price......I have several other high powers so it did not bother me.....but what is sadder is that it is an early German gun with the slot in the back of the grip for a shoulder stock......would have been cool if they had left it alone.
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