29-1 Sold just this minute…
- Thread starter Model29-26.5
- Start date
Here's another one that also sold at RIA in 2021. It sold for $9775. Serial # S227859 5" with letter and all the accessories.
The price estimate was $900 to $1400.
Smith & Wesson Model 29-1 Revolver with Case and Factory Letter
Smith & Wesson Model 29-1 Double Action Revolver with Case and Factory LetterWith wood display case, cleaning rod, brushes, tool, and factory letter. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration and states that this revolver was fitted with a special 5" barrel at the factory...
www.rockislandauction.com
Here is probably the next hardest to find 44 mag, ... or even harder to find, a Pre model 29 four screw with 8 3/8th inch barrel. https://www.rockislandauction.com/d...-44-magnum-premodel-29-double-action-revolver. How many of these are documented? One of the first 44 Magnums made with a 8 3/8th inch barrel?
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S179896 shipped to H. H. Harris in April 1958 with a 5-inch barrel and bright blue finish. It was one of ten in one of the first shipments of this barrel length. The 8 3/8-inch barrel is a replacement for the original. The ampersand on the left side of the barrel indicates the replacement barrel dates to 1973 or later.
You are correct that Pre-Model 29s with an 8 3/8-inch barrel are very hard to find.
Bill
You are correct that Pre-Model 29s with an 8 3/8-inch barrel are very hard to find.
Bill
Bill
In your response to your post. Does that mean there were ten pre 29s made with 5" barrels in this shipment? And one of the first shipments of this barrel length, more 5" barrels were shipped later than April 1958? How many pre 29s 5" barrels are known to exist?
Also, what is different about the ampersand? Hasn't been the same since the founding of S&W? What has changed in 1973?
In your response to your post. Does that mean there were ten pre 29s made with 5" barrels in this shipment? And one of the first shipments of this barrel length, more 5" barrels were shipped later than April 1958? How many pre 29s 5" barrels are known to exist?
Also, what is different about the ampersand? Hasn't been the same since the founding of S&W? What has changed in 1973?
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Yes is the answer to your question. The first shipment of 44 Magnums (Pre-29) to H. H. Harris was on March 18, 1958. S&W's records show approximately 120 Pre-29s with a 5-inch barrel were shipped. The first 5-inch barrel, S153748, was shipped on July 20, 1956. It has a 5-screw frame and is the only one known. It has not been reported by collectors. Three were shipped in 1957 and one, S170040, was Class A-engraved by Russ Smith (only 5-inch that is factory engraved, see photo below). The Model 29-1 and -2 were generally shipped in 1963. The total number of 44 Magnums with a 5-inch barrel is estimated at approximately 300 with H. H. Harris receiving 217 of them from 1958-1963 (very few were shipped from 1959-1962).
Bill
Bill
A beautiful revolver and very thorough explanation. Thanks for sharing!
OP
Thank you so much for the great info and the photograph of this absolute treasure, Bill. Much appreciated.
As it happens, the 29-1 that I originally posted about was mislabeled and was actually a Dash two.
