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03-10-2023, 07:33 PM
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Model 29 classic hunters
I am looking for information and my question is, Are there any known barrel length besides
8-3/8”, 7-1/2”, 6”, 5” and 3” in the Classic Hunter series, or just unfluted made for special runs?
These would all have unfluted cylinders such as this
Model 29-5 Classic Hunter II 7-1/2”,
I am trying to complete a set.
Tom
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03-11-2023, 02:12 PM
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Hi Tom,
I believe all the 6 inch full lugs were actually 6 1/2 inch barrels. You have the other barrel lengths correct. As you mentioned, both fluted and un-fluted cylinders. They did most in both Carbon steel and Stainless. I believe the earliest models are 29-3 through the model 29-6. Variations include Classics, Classic DX, Magna Classic, Classic Hunters and they also did some commemoratives like the 12 revolvers. A number of these were very limited Distributer specials like the Hill Country 5 inch (500 produced). S&W also produced a number of packaged parts just for the Classic Series like scope mounts, front sights, silhouette sights, etc. A neat subset of the S&W 44 Magnum that can make a challenging special collection.
Bob
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03-11-2023, 03:09 PM
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I have a 629-3 classic hunter with a 6 inch barrel. I bought it new. The barrel actually measures 5 7/8 inch. Part way thru the dash 3 series, they no longer offered the 6 inch and instead offered the 6 1/2 inch {also offered a 5"}. This might be where the " only 6 1/2 inch" theory came from.
Last edited by RoyM52; 03-11-2023 at 03:31 PM.
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03-11-2023, 08:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rad29
Hi Tom,
I believe all the 6 inch full lugs were actually 6 1/2 inch barrels. You have the other barrel lengths correct. As you mentioned, both fluted and un-fluted cylinders. They did most in both Carbon steel and Stainless. I believe the earliest models are 29-3 through the model 29-6. Variations include Classics, Classic DX, Magna Classic, Classic Hunters and they also did some commemoratives like the 12 revolvers. A number of these were very limited Distributer specials like the Hill Country 5 inch (500 produced). S&W also produced a number of packaged parts just for the Classic Series like scope mounts, front sights, silhouette sights, etc. A neat subset of the S&W 44 Magnum that can make a challenging special collection.
Bob
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoyM52
I have a 629-3 classic hunter with a 6 inch barrel. I bought it new. The barrel actually measures 5 7/8 inch. Part way thru the dash 3 series, they no longer offered the 6 inch and instead offered the 6 1/2 inch {also offered a 5"}. This might be where the " only 6 1/2 inch" theory came from.
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Here are the 4 that I currently have, I believe these are all considered Classic Hunters. With full under lug, unfluted cylinders and square butt
Top left is a 29–4, 8-3/8” bbl, product code 101254 manufactured in 1989 with a run of 2500 produced
Top right is the Classic Magnum II 7-1/2” bbl that a run of 500, produced for Accusport distributors in 1990, product code 101256
Bottom left is the 1987 Mystery Magnum it was considered so special that Smith and Wesson put on a contest to name this
model 29–3 that featured a 6 inch barrel with a 4 position front sight it was produced for Lew Horton distributor with a run of 5000, product code 101230
Bottom right is a Model 29–4 with a 5” bbl and that was produced for Hill Country distributors in Kerrville Texas in a run of 500, manufactured in 1989 product code 101249
This 29–4 without a doubt is my favorite of this group!
If you have any corrections or additional informational with these please share.
I am trying to figure out which ones I have left to find to finish out this group with other barrel lengths
Last edited by Jeep 1; 03-11-2023 at 09:49 PM.
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03-11-2023, 10:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeep 1
Here are the 4 that I currently have, I believe these are all considered Classic Hunters. With full under lug, unfluted cylinders and square butt
Top left is a 29–4, 8-3/8” bbl, product code 101254 manufactured in 1989 with a run of 2500 produced
Top right is the Classic Magnum II 7-1/2” bbl that a run of 500, produced for Accusport distributors in 1990, product code 101256
Bottom left is the 1987 Mystery Magnum it was considered so special that Smith and Wesson put on a contest to name this
model 29–3 that featured a 6 inch barrel with a 4 position front sight it was produced for Lew Horton distributor with a run of 5000, product code 101230
Bottom right is a Model 29–4 with a 5” bbl and that was produced for Hill Country distributors in Kerrville Texas in a run of 500, manufactured in 1989 product code 101249
This 29–4 without a doubt is my favorite of this group!
If you have any corrections or additional informational with these please share.
I am trying to figure out which ones I have left to find to finish out this group with other barrel lengths
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Holy guacamole I love you guys! I’ve owned a “Mystery Magnum” for years and didn’t even know it. How cool is that?
Jeep - thank you so much for posting the pic of the S&W promo for this gun.
Last edited by TheTinMan; 03-11-2023 at 10:08 PM.
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03-11-2023, 10:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheTinMan
Holy guacamole I love you guys! I’ve owned a “Mystery Magnum” for years and didn’t even know it. How cool is that?
Jeep - thank you so much for posting the pic of the S&W promo for this gun.
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Tinman,
Imagine all this time you never knew you were married to a centerfold…….😎
I would never leave a brother hanging, so enjoy the rest of it!
And if one of you kind gentleman could straighten these pictures out for me or make them full sized I would appreciate it. I have never been able to figure out how to do it on my iPhone technology has got up and ran off and left me……
Tom
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03-11-2023, 11:09 PM
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Here you go!
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03-11-2023, 11:15 PM
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Now that I’ve skimmed through the article - what name was chosen? Or is the answer obviously “Classic Hunter”?
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03-11-2023, 11:53 PM
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The name was derived from a contest Shooting Times held in 1987. I still have the magazine along with a magazine named Gun World which ran an article on them.
Original had unfluted cylinder, target trigger and hammer, front 4 position sight, Hogue Monogrip, 6” barrel and was blued. Mine is a 29-3. Bought it new in ‘88. Won’t be parting with it.
ETA- yes it was named Classic Hunter
Last edited by Classic29; 03-11-2023 at 11:55 PM.
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03-12-2023, 07:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic29
The name was derived from a contest Shooting Times held in 1987. I still have the magazine along with a magazine named Gun World which ran an article on them.
Original had unfluted cylinder, target trigger and hammer, front 4 position sight, Hogue Monogrip, 6” barrel and was blued. Mine is a 29-3. Bought it new in ‘88. Won’t be parting with it.
ETA- yes it was named Classic Hunter
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Classic 29,
It was only recently that I came across that, Most people think the classic Hunter series started with the model 629, We were wrong, I never seen the results of the contest and so that was part of the reason that I posted the magazine pictures. I was curious if the rest of the crowd already knew the answer or not.
if you happen to have that article where they announced the winner, and could share it that would be really cool!
Tom
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03-12-2023, 05:10 PM
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Was aware they were called this, second variant dropped front adj site, but kept unfluted cylinder.
There are QTY 4 known to exist in the Model 57...
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03-13-2023, 05:46 PM
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Most of us on this Smith and Wesson forum will agree with this ad!
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03-16-2023, 12:40 AM
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03-16-2023, 01:57 AM
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I am familiar with all the lengths you mentioned, except the 7.5”.
My one and only 8 3/8” gun is a 29-5. It’s definitely a beast!!
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Last edited by CH4; 03-16-2023 at 02:37 AM.
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03-16-2023, 11:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheHobbyist
Was aware they were called this, second variant dropped front adj site, but kept unfluted cylinder.
There are QTY 4 known to exist in the Model 57...
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I believe you are thing of the Silhouette models with the 10 5/8" barrels!
jcelect
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03-16-2023, 02:36 PM
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^^^^^ Wow. Thanks for sharing! ^^^^^
It's definitely one I am always watching out for....how much did you say you wanted for it again???? 
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03-17-2023, 04:52 PM
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My 29-3 bought new in the late 80’s looks a lot like the Mystery Magnum.
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03-17-2023, 05:43 PM
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My 629-2 just thinks it’s a 44 Magnum.
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03-17-2023, 06:32 PM
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My 1989 629 Classic Hunter, top, with a couple friends. It has lived up to it's "Hunter" designation quite well.
Larry
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03-17-2023, 07:39 PM
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This one is 6". "Classic Hunter".
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04-07-2023, 10:45 AM
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I also have one of the 29 classic hunter II models. I dont think it was mentioned above that in addition to the unfluted cylinder and 7 1/2" barrel, another unique feature is the recessed cylinder. I believe this to be the last gun Smith made to have that feature. Made in 1990
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02-28-2024, 05:31 AM
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Thanks for sharing these pages!
Apparently, it also appeared on another Shooting Times issue,
which also is from September 1987.
But here, the front page looks yellow....
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02-28-2024, 07:26 AM
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I was enamored back in 1987 of the Model 29 4 Position Unfluted Blued 29 Classic Hunter. I watched
My Shotgun News Articles and found a dealer in Michigan thru the mail and bought one for less than 6 Bills NEW back the. Sadly I traded it off a few yrs later for a new Gotta have Something. Dumb , Dumb..
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02-28-2024, 12:36 PM
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What's the difference between the classic hunter, with the 4 position front sight and the silhouette model?
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02-28-2024, 05:45 PM
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The Silhouettes have a 10 5/8" barrel and the Classic Hunter in this thread have a 7 1/2" barrel. The 4 position front sight was used on a few other models!
jcelect
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02-28-2024, 05:58 PM
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I remember that contest. I submitted but a name was not chosen. But I got over it.
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