Model 29 classic hunters

Jeep 1 · Mar 10, 2023

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

Rad29 · Mar 11, 2023

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

RoyM52 · Mar 11, 2023

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.

Jeep 1 · Mar 11, 2023

Rad29 said:
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

RoyM52 said:
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.

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

TheTinMan · Mar 11, 2023

Jeep 1 said:
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

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.

Jeep 1 · Mar 11, 2023

TheTinMan said:
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.

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

TheTinMan · Mar 11, 2023

Here you go!

TheTinMan · Mar 11, 2023

Now that I’ve skimmed through the article - what name was chosen? Or is the answer obviously “Classic Hunter”?

Classic29 · Mar 11, 2023

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

Jeep 1 · Mar 12, 2023

Classic29 said:
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

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

TheHobbyist · Mar 12, 2023

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...

Jeep 1 · Mar 13, 2023

Most of us on this Smith and Wesson forum will agree with this ad!

TheTinMan · Mar 16, 2023

Jeep was kind enough to share his original photos with us. Here they are oriented, cropped and adjusted for image quality.

thetinman-albums-mystery-magnum-picture25958-3fae65bd-cf04-4cfb-9145-3210cd98efed.jpeg

thetinman-albums-mystery-magnum-picture25959-da33697c-bc4d-4b24-a0a7-0c25c001c1e3.jpeg

thetinman-albums-mystery-magnum-picture25960-f4b6d90f-4b73-4377-bc02-10ddecdf001a.jpeg

thetinman-albums-mystery-magnum-picture25962-e4584bf8-723f-4119-8c7f-b34a0e569f8d.jpeg

thetinman-albums-mystery-magnum-picture25961-64f0581a-4afa-4a68-806b-de9ac5449fbf.jpeg

thetinman-albums-mystery-magnum-picture25963-8c0bbc2f-8bd7-47bd-8ab7-6eb4a6a05494.jpeg

thetinman-albums-mystery-magnum-picture25964-c2b496fe-97e6-4cba-a697-96a458740194.jpeg

CH4 · Mar 16, 2023

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!!

jcelect · Mar 16, 2023

TheHobbyist said:
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...

I believe you are thing of the Silhouette models with the 10 5/8" barrels!

jcelect

TheHobbyist · Mar 16, 2023

^^^^^ Wow. Thanks for sharing! ^^^^^

It's definitely one I am always watching out for....how much did you say you wanted for it again????

daverich4 · Mar 17, 2023

PHP:

My 29-3 bought new in the late 80’s looks a lot like the Mystery Magnum.

THE PILGRIM · Mar 17, 2023

My 629-2 just thinks it’s a 44 Magnum.

Fishinfool · Mar 17, 2023

My 1989 629 Classic Hunter, top, with a couple friends. It has lived up to it's "Hunter" designation quite well.

Larry

H Richard · Mar 17, 2023

This one is 6". "Classic Hunter".

Model 29 classic hunters

Member

Attachments

SWCA Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

SWCA Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Attachments

US Veteran

SWCA Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Attachments

Member

Attachments

US Veteran

Similar threads