1965 MODEL 29-2 with cokes

[Sebago Son]

I'm still trying to learn so be patient. When you say football cutouts are you referring to the thumb relief (football shaped) at the top of the left stock?

That's not a "Thumb Relief". It's the to allow clearance for the longer cartridges like the .44 Magnum during extraction. The cut allows cases in those charging holes closest to the frame to be full extracted without hanging up on the stocks. We have come to call this relief a "Football" due to it's shape.

The earliest Target Stocks did not have such a Football as the shorter cases such as the .45 ACP in the 1950's and 1955's will extract properly without the "football".

As much as some would like to believe it, I am dubious of the idea that S&W "missed a step" when making the particular stocks in question. My thinking is that they are simply the early, pre-1956 pattern stocks without the football that were checkered by the factory in the "Coke" pattern. Then, later in the guns service life, these stocks found their way onto a much later 29-2.

BTW, gkitch, did I read that you were contemplating refinishing this 29? I would discourage that idea.

Drew

 

[M29since14]

Yes, that gun looks too good to run the risk of a refinish job. Unless it is worse than the pics make it look, I would agree with Drew. Repair the stocks and stop at that.

 

[gkitch]

factory refinish

I had a rough 5" M27-2 that went back to S&W for a factory refinish and it came back like new. I really would classify it as more of a restoration than a refinish. The experience was "worth it" in that case.
I suppose you guys are right...this M-29-2 is in good enough condition as to not justify the cost and the tampering.

 

[gkitch]

grips restored!

DWFAN did an outstanding job: