Mod. 29-3 ser # AJF94xx. Friend is in ill health. He does not remember sending gun back to S&W for repair. Sure looks it was to me based on the box tag (dated 10-14- 98), Is there a way to find out what was done? He wants to sell . Overall good condition with a few small rust spots. Wasn't stored well. Estimate shot less than 100 rounds. Does box show date code? 1985? Will list in For Sale on this site when I get this sorted out. Thanks for any help.
One photo shows front side plate screw with scratch in frame!!
Is 1200 a fair price?

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Call S&W with serial number and see if they can tell if it has ever come back for anything. With that rust, my thought is $700 for value. Now some will pop up and give a higher value - but they would not be a buyer…

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S&W factory revolver armorer

$700-800 is fair for the 29-3 you describe. If it was a 29-2, you’d be looking at a $200-400 increase in value.

Called customer service and they could not provide any info on any repairs. Only confirmed 1985 as date of mfg. Do the marks on the bottom of the right side grip frame (E&K) mean any thing?

Look on left side of grip frame for a date code (repair date) eg. 4 91 = April 1991, or 10 95 = October, 1995, etc.

Not sure if S&W still does that.

On the box label the spec. ord (Julian date) 5284 with that serial number indicates mfg date of September, 1985.

The tag reminds me of one seen with a used gun resold by the factory, although it could also be from a distributor or dealer. Agree on the value quotes above.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

How do you know that’s a factory label and not something for inventory from a gunstore? Sorry if this an ignorant question, but I have would have no way of telling the difference.

Given the long barrel, which is not popular right now, being a 29-3, which has not gained popularity among collectors, and the issues with the finish, I think $1200 is a real stretch. This is a shooter grade Model 29 and not even one with the endurance package, so I think $800 to $900 is a realistic price range.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

The left side grip does have the number 312. The date on the box label is 10/4/98. Does not seem to be an inventory label as the gun was bought in 1986. See photo 3. Only a guess it went to the factory. Thanks to those who provided value estimates.

"CashAmerica Pawn" used a tag just like that back twenty years ago. The numbers included a code telling the salespeople how much they had in it. If you figured out the code you could offer the store $50 over that, never mind their asking price, and they would sell. I never could break the code. It was a fully computerized inventory control system with labels printed in the back of the store on a laser printer. I hated that the labels were impossible to remove! I bought a JVC cd player and got the label off using patience and GooGone.

Did your friend say he bought it new in 1986? If he's the original owner then that tag is an interesting mystery.

I carried this 44 magnum concealed back then in a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster under a sport jacket. I also had a Sig P-230 which I carried small of the back. Mine was a 29-2. Gave it to my son on his 21st birthday!

Kind Regards!
BrianD

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696-6906-457-38-3913-CS40-411

Very much looks like a gun shop or pawn shop inventory label to me. Can’t reconcile the dates with the story, but that’s what it looks like to me.

I have the original invoice from the owner. The Gun Center. Maybe it went back to them for something. The owner doesn't remember.
The store closed a couple years ago. Mystery it is!

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Have you tried scanning the barcode to see if there is any other embedded information in it?

Date on bottom of invoice is 1998. Could have purchased new in 1980s and pawned it after that and hence the label and 1998 date

I've known the owner for 50+ years. He was a very successful corporate VP
We got are permits together in "83. He never would have pawned it. I will look into trying to scan the barcode.

There's also the date on the bottom of the invoice, 2-25-86 with the word "Delivered" circled! The 98 date appears to be written with a blue ball point pen, along with the circled word delivered, and all the rest of the writing on the invoice was done thru a carbon copy from the original!
jcelect

I tried scanning the bar code. No luck with that. The 10/14/98 date on the bottom on the invoice is my note from this week!!

I love this! I enjoyed reading over this invoice.
It was bought on layaway. Cannot tell what date. At the top it says 2/20/86 and the 20 is written over an 18? Top right there is a number in the "Pay When" box.
So, it was paid off on the 19th of February 1986.
He took delivery on the 25th.
Was that a waiting period? Maybe it had to come from the warehouse that is referred to in the printed words at the bottom of the invoice?

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696-6906-457-38-3913-CS40-411

I too enjoy the history of S&W. My 4 guns span from early 50s to 80s. In regards to the invoice the date is marked 2-19-86 with 20 marked over it.
2-19 is the date it was paid for. The top right box is labeled "ship when". It's marked Fe 20, the date code of the gun (3512) & the list price with tax. He got a nice discount! The info on the bottom left is his permit info. Thanks for your interest.
The delay between payment and pick was probably due to winter in Buffalo NY as all are shooting was out doors.