4" 629 no dash w/ German Proofs - your thoughts

[Skeetr57]

While stationed in Germany 1978-1980, I bought at least 5 S&W revolvers, 2 Remington 700 rifles and a Remington 3200 shotgun. I got all of them through the K Town Rod and gun club, and none had any German proofs. The only anomaly was that the 3200 had the marking on the barrel altered from "2 3/4"or shorter shells" to just 2 3/" by striking out the "or shorter".

 

[Absalom]

...I got all of them through the K Town Rod and gun club, and none had any German proofs....

While I have no actual legal texts to quote for this, I suspect the Rod and Gun Clubs in Germany enjoyed a somewhat "exterritorial" status as being attached to US bases covered by the special rights reserved for the former occupying powers and later NATO partners. The arms carried by US troops in Germany didn't have German proofs either, I'm sure.

So German-made firearms, as well as guns which were acquired by the clubs after going through German commercial channels, would be expected to be German-proofed, but any guns reaching the club directly through American distribution channels would not. Clubs acquired guns from both kinds of sources, which explains why the same type of gun may be proofed or not. As an American buying these over there, not your worry.

I brought my above-mentioned Model 19-5 into Germany from the US in the early 1980s (legally). When I took it to the local police office to get it entered on my gun ownership card, the official looked it over and said "This isn't properly proofed yet. You need to mail this to the proofhouse in Ulm to get the stamps. Then come back."

 

[El Biblioitecario]

None of the Smith and Wessons, including a Model 29, which I bought from USAREUR Rod and Gun clubs in the 70s have German proofs.

Come to think of it, they don't have American proofs, either. Guess these are like the Colt Pequanos, second quality weapons for overseas sales.

 

[SS57]

629 ND

This is just an ordinary US 629 ND 4 incher here. Been tempted to part with it several times but it is so cool to handle/balances so well. Locks up like a vault. You don't see too many 4's around. I have other 44's to shoot so this one is a safe queen. Anyone have a clue on what something like this would go for? Just the gun. I know prices seems to be down a bit as of late.