I recently acquired a 4 in h 29-2 in 44 mag. SN starts with an N143. It is pinned and recessed. However someone says it has been modified because the trigger and hammer are not color case hardened. There is the slightest turn ring on the cylinder and the faintest ring around each cylinder. They also say that the pistol has been buffed and polished to look like new. Any hep you folks could share with me would be awesome.
29-2 4 inch Nickel
- Thread starter Seacam
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IMO, the trigger and hammer look a little too dark and even in color for the standard case-hardened finish one would expect to see on a 29-2.
In your photos they almost look like MIM parts - too uniformly black to be case-hardened. Better close-up pictures of both the hammer and trigger would help to clear up this possible question.
From what I can see in your photos, there appears to be an "N" stamped on the front-left bottom corner of the grip frame, as well as on the rear face of the cylinder. Those stampings, along with the blued extractor star would seem to indicate that this one was originally nickel-plated when it left the factory.
HOWEVER, without good, close-up photos of the sides of the revolver - including the barrel and both sides of the frame, it is pretty much impossible to say whether the nickel finish is original - or if it has been re-finished at some point after leaving the factory.
Can you post some more high-resolution photos of your revolver?
In your photos they almost look like MIM parts - too uniformly black to be case-hardened. Better close-up pictures of both the hammer and trigger would help to clear up this possible question.
From what I can see in your photos, there appears to be an "N" stamped on the front-left bottom corner of the grip frame, as well as on the rear face of the cylinder. Those stampings, along with the blued extractor star would seem to indicate that this one was originally nickel-plated when it left the factory.
HOWEVER, without good, close-up photos of the sides of the revolver - including the barrel and both sides of the frame, it is pretty much impossible to say whether the nickel finish is original - or if it has been re-finished at some point after leaving the factory.
Can you post some more high-resolution photos of your revolver?
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A friend once bought a Chief's Special and he got to objecting to the irregular appearance of the color case hardening of the hammer and trigger, so he matte blued them. Somehow I ended up with the gun and it looks similar to your Model 29. I'd guess that's what happened to your gun.
Your 29-2 was obviously nickel from the factory as evidenced by the N stamp on the rear face of the cylinder. beyond that it's hard to tell without having it in hand.
As for the M-60, some time after ~1996 when the MIM parts were introduced those parts did has a different appearance. I have no idea if that 60n was one of those.
As for the M-60, some time after ~1996 when the MIM parts were introduced those parts did has a different appearance. I have no idea if that 60n was one of those.
Welcome to the Forum! You have a very nice original nickel Model 29-2 from 1973. The mahogany presentation case is a plus, but its interior has been redone (probably because the original blue flocking was deteriorating). There should be three small recesses next to the revolver to hold a cleaning brush/cleaning rod, Sight Adjustment Tool, and mop. The stocks are very nice smooth presentation target stocks, and may or may not be original to your 29-2. I agree that the hammer and trigger may have been removed, polished, cold blued, and reinstalled. Originally they would have been bright color case hardened. Sure, it may have been slightly modified by a previous owner but it's no big deal. All in all, it's a great .44 Magnum revolver that should be accurate and fun to shoot. Enjoy!
Someone did polish that cylinder and recoils shield to remove the carbon stains from firing. Not uncommon for folks to do. I doubt is was done to make the gun appear as new or unfired. Too much other evidence of some use. I cannot speak to the hammer and trigger.
The 1973 date is a bonus. I now have a birth year gun. I should have known something was up but I was way more interested in the other revolver I got in trade with this one. It was a Tiger GP100 stainless 3 inch in 44 special.
I have more pics I can post if it will help definitively figure out what I acquired. Just tell me what a picture is needed of and I will post it.
I have more pics I can post if it will help definitively figure out what I acquired. Just tell me what a picture is needed of and I will post it.
N143XXX dates to 1974 rather than 1973. I think the stocks should be checkered rather than smooth. All in all, a very nice 29-2.
Bill
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Of course, the SN could be N143, or 143x, or 143xx also - knowing that would help. 
The 5 digit is an assembly number and will also appear on the lower left side of the grip frame. The other is from an assembler/fitter. Neither has any significance outside the factory. The serial number is the one that counts.
Of course I will have to defer to Doc44's date of 1974. My 1973 guesstimate came from interpreting the "SCSW 4th Ed." s/n ranges (N100000 1973; N200000 1974-1977). Sorry to disappoint you, Seacam- turns out that it's not a birth year gun for you! But I'm sure that you will still enjoy your new .44 Magnum.
Thank you all for sharing your knowledge. After much scrutiny of my 29-2 I have found where one of the screws on the side plate is a little boogered up. Lends credence to the hammer and trigger being replaced. As for the case after feeling around and poking and prodding on it I can not find where the 3 dimples for the accessories should have went. It actually feels like cardboard on the edges where the cutout is. As for the grips there is a larger than normal gap between the butt and the grip. More evidence of grips being swapped.
The presentation case you have is not what would have shipped with a standard Model 29-2. The case may or may not be of S&W manufacture, but it is a nice one. If the company made it, it is most likely for a commemorative revolver or special issue. The type of case shown below is correct for your 44 Magnum as it was used from 1969-1974. The bottom is Styrofoam and the top is sponge rubber, both covered by a synthetic blue material. If you find a case like this for your 29-2 the top and bottom inserts will need recovering.
Bill
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Here is the one I own.
enjoy,
bdGreen
enjoy,
bdGreen
You can rest assured that the hammer is not MIM! I have never seen any MIM hammers with the hammer nose pinned in place.
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