29 no dash

[squawberryman]

Fellas I enjoy this forum and lurk from afar. I went down the custom single actions rabbit hole for ten years and no longer have a desire to convert anything. I've told people if I WERE looking/not looking for a gun it'd be anything old 1911 or Smith and Wesson. Last weekend I had a chance to see some old friends I haven't seen in 25 years and when I got done showing him things like a 22 that now shoots 38's and some others, he said "let me show you something" and brought this out. Factory only fired, three T's. I and they believe the second digit is a zero and not a nine. Any info on build date or item specifics would be appreciated. I have seen my share of S&W's over the years but I have NEVER seen a finish like this. Thank you.



1119221556[1]

 

[Breakaway500]

Beauty!! Looks like it's been in a safe all its life.

 

[Retired W4]

I would be thankful to just hold that one in my hands, but I would be tempted to take off running with it. The second digit must be a 9, as the lowest number documented for a 44 Magnum is S130705.

(Quoting from Bill and Roy's book, The Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum, pg. 10.)

 

[Doc44]

Your Model 29 with serial number S198473 dates to May 1960. The longer barrel length was first cataloged in January 1959. Your Model 29 would have been shipped with a mahogany presentation case and accessories.

You have a very nice example of a 44 Magnum.

Bill Cross

 

[wheelgun610]

... I and they believe the second digit is a zero and not a nine...

That second digit would definitely be a 9. I believe the first .44 Magnums were in the S 130000 range. It would probably be easier to read the S/N stamped on the butt of the grip frame.

Mark

 

[rrhemi]

After holding a nice example of a 6.5" pre 29 I became an S&W revolver ethusiast/addict. You would think with all the raving over those coke bottle grips the factory would have started producing them again. I will own one of these one day

 

[Claymore33]

Beautiful gun , fabulous condition. I would prefer 4".

 

[Benchrest1]

Yep, that's a nice one!

 

[RKmesa]

Beautiful Model 29!!! Here is one that shipped about a year earlier...







All the best,

 

[bill-in-texas]

Your friend has a very nice long barreled Model 29. If he doesn't already hang out here, you can tell him we like it!

-Bill

 

[Bullet99]

I was able to pick up a couple of 29 no dash guns recently. One is a 4" the other 8 3/8".

Still looking for a nice 29-1..

 

[dsk]

My 29 no-dash isn't in nearly as nice a shape as these beauties, but I still wouldn't part with it for the world...

 

[oldogy]

Your friend has a very nice long barreled Model 29. If he doesn't already hang out here, you can tell him we like it!

-Bill

I am on here. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Chuck24]

Mine is also from May 1960

 

[WCCPHD]

This one shipped in December, 1959. Serial number S199304. It actually looks better than the photo shows.



I got it in the blue case, but have always wondered if it shipped in this box/case????

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Same vintage.

 

[65Whelen]

I was very fortunate for this recent find, a 29 no dash and I wasn't even looking, it found me. When you least expect it, expect it. A definite keeper.

 

[ME94]

One of my cherished revolvers. I had it for some glamorshotsbut did not realize, that i cut part of thegrips out.

 

[AC Man]

I have a pre 29 4 screw and 5 screw. Still seems a 29 no dash and a 29-1 are more rare. Would like to the know the numbers of each produced. Any idea?

 

[Doc44]

Pre-Model 29s with a 5-screw frame were manufactured from 1956 through early 1957 with the estimate of 6,000 or so being made. Pre-Model 29s with a 4-screw frame were made from early 1957 through late 1958 (serial number range is S167500 to S184000) with an estimate of 7-10 thousand being made. Model 29s were made from late 1958 through 1961/62 (serial number range of S184000 to S227500) with more than 15 thousand made. Model 29-1s were mainly shipped in 1962. It is unknown how many were made, but fifty plus have been reported by collectors.

Bill