blanda1
Member
Need to get possible value and any information available on this "custom" 29-2 S&W 3" all I really know that it is a N based serial number
29-2 3" Help needed
- Thread starter blanda1
- Start date
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2002
- Messages
- 10,446
- Reaction score
- 13,399
- City & State/Province
- The kidney of Dixie.
Total custom job to a customer's specifications. Barrel cut and ported, grip frame likely cut to round butt configuration, hex bolts in side plate, and some sort of hard alloy refinish. Very little of the 29-2 that left Springfield remains. I'm sure the customer was thrilled with it as it was exactly what he wanted. Others would think it hideous.
Value would be whatever someone wanted to pay for it. Hard to say with a one of a kind piece. One man may offer a thousand dollars for it, another might refuse it if offered as a gift. As a general rule, customized guns do not come close to recouping the cost when sold.
Value would be whatever someone wanted to pay for it. Hard to say with a one of a kind piece. One man may offer a thousand dollars for it, another might refuse it if offered as a gift. As a general rule, customized guns do not come close to recouping the cost when sold.
Eaglestroker
Member
I can't speak to that, but the location of the barrel markings is your first obvious indicator it was shortened.
That's a neat little bugger. Not everyone will feel the same.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2011
- Messages
- 2,961
- Reaction score
- 4,311
- City & State/Province
- Northern Middle Tennessee
It is a case of someone wanting something that wasn't available and having a very talented person do it for them. Saxon is right though rarely will someone recoup the cost of buying the gun plus the work done. Someone put a lot of thought in that little handful. Sorry but its hard to place a value on one customized like this. My best advice is put it on Gunbroker start the bid at the least you would take with no reserve and let the market do what it does best determine the value.
jjbrewst1
Member
No the 29-2 was not made in a 3" there were 3 fixed sighted 44 Magnums made on a special order. Doc44 has me of them.
The 29-3 was the first 29 variant available with a Factory 3" Barrel
The 29-3 was the first 29 variant available with a Factory 3" Barrel
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2002
- Messages
- 10,446
- Reaction score
- 13,399
- City & State/Province
- The kidney of Dixie.
No, S&W did not make a 29-2 with a 3" barrel. There is virtually nothing about this gun that is original (as I already indicated). Somebody spent a ton of money creating a unique revolver that will not appeal to traditionalists.
Biggfoot44
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2013
- Messages
- 2,060
- Reaction score
- 1,597
The ports would make me wonder if it were produced by Mag Na Port Arms. At one time they made a speiality of such guns. ( And did quality work.)
But as said , it all comes to how much it tickles the fancy of a willing buyer. Snub large frame .44mags are very much a love a lot or hate a lot proposition.
But as said , it all comes to how much it tickles the fancy of a willing buyer. Snub large frame .44mags are very much a love a lot or hate a lot proposition.
flundertaker
Member
Weirdest looking grip I have ever seen. Whats the point of it coming up so high? It doest appear to shroud the hammer.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
in8kaos
Member
The grips were produced shortly in the 80's, so I read by, Bianchi Lightnings, if I remember right. The design never took off, and for good reason I think, lol. It was to imitate the look of the Body guards, but I really don't know why. This is my gun, and Blanda1 is trying to help me find out more about it. I am new to large frames and traded into this for little of nothing, because the older gentleman that had it can no longer shoot 44's because of arthritis. I am interested to learn more about it, and thank you all for the info given already. It is in gorgeous shape, and wow, what I shooter. I will keep these grips for shooting as they feel great, but will eventually get some nice wood stocks to dress her up properly. Would I be able to to contact Smith on a gun this late (early 80's) to find out the configuration it left the factory as just to help figure it out.
Last edited:
in8kaos
Member
Yes, a factory letter will tell you with which barrel length it was shipped.
1blindref
Member
I for one, like it. I bet it's quite a light show when shooting it.
Are you buying, or selling?
Are you buying, or selling?
in8kaos
Member
I own it, and was considering trading or selling it off. I haven't decided to yet, trying to figure it out first.
r3captain
Member
Don't think I'd spend $50 on a letter as it appears from the .44 MAGNUM stamping in the first picture that it's been cut. A clear picture of the SMITH & WESSON on the left side should be an even greater tip off.
Yep a $50 factory letter will tell you what you do not have... now!
in8kaos
Member
The markings on the left side are not there at all so it was probably cut off so they smoothed it. I am going to pass on the letter, as you are correct, it isn't there now anyway. I am in love with it in it's configuration right now, other than grips.
Point 357
US Veteran
I like this one. With all of the obvious external work that has been nicely done I have to wonder how the internals have been tuned. I could be a buyer.
Looks like the mainspring screw has been backed out. If you start having misfires, especially in double action, a couple of turns of the screw will fix it.
Muley Gil
US Veteran
Turning a square butt N frame into a round butt leaves quite a bit of the strain screw showing.
Whenever I converted a N frame SB into a RB, I recessed the strain screw hole, trimmed down the screw head, and then shortened the screw to maintain the factory mainspring tension.
It appears that this wasn't done with this particular revolver.
dotdsd334
Member
Looks like a square butt strain screw on a RB frame. The RB strain screw is slightly shorter to accommodate the grip shape. I just RBd a square butt and replaced the strain screw. This one looks like it's seated all the way, just the wrong size screw
I'll bet that you will not find the wood grips to be nearly as functional as those that are on the revolver now. There are a lot of folks who really love wood grips, and loathe rubber, but for a fighting gun, especially a big bore, the rubber are far more likely to be useable.
jjbrewst1
Member
Maybe. But not those ugly things. Go with some Hogues or Pachs. Those Lightning grips are atrocious. Is that a Word?
r3captain
Member
I think the grips are a perfect complement to an already unique custom job.
Why bother trying to make it look more factory.
Why bother trying to make it look more factory.
in8kaos
Member
Thank you all! I will keep these grips, and will also have some wood for it, not to appear more factory, but just because I love the classy look of wood on stainless. I am glad to hear the info on the strain screw, and can see the grips were modified to fit over the screw, but will keep in mind when any issues might come up. Please, keep any thoughts and ideas coming. I would love to find out about what tuning has been done, but don't know how to find that out for sure, unless I can find the original builder I guess.
in8kaos
Member
What could be a way, or a guess on what the finish is on it? It is matte, but I don't think cerakote or anything like that, and it is flawless, so that stumps me as well.
36general
Member
The finish looks like hard chrome to me. Very durable and resembles stainless.
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2014
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 1
looks similar to my factory 3" 44 mountain gun (also magnaported) that I purchased in the early 90's or late 80's after I had a close encounter with an old sow black bear causing my to realize I needed a pistol backup. The mountain gun came with lanyard loop grips that I replaced with shorter packmyers. I liked the idea of the lanyard as much of my hunting was high mountain, but it increased the length of the grip too much.
I am right handed so had to have a custom cross draw made for it so there was no conflict carrying on my right hip with a shouldered rifle.
I Like the idea of those grips if you decide to carry concealed.
I am right handed so had to have a custom cross draw made for it so there was no conflict carrying on my right hip with a shouldered rifle.
I Like the idea of those grips if you decide to carry concealed.
Last edited:
This would be my guess as well.
in8kaos
Member
Updated to my style
Here are some updated pictures after putting on a new set of shoes and acquiring a nice used holster for her.
Here are some updated pictures after putting on a new set of shoes and acquiring a nice used holster for her.
