5 inch model 29 I inherited need answers please

[Ghost29]

I recently inherited my grandfathers 29-2? I don’t know the year of production. It also has a 5 inch barrel. I wanna know if it is a true 5 inch from factory? My grandfather wasn’t the type to switch stuff up. What he bought it always stayed he was like that. Any help would be appreciated also if I could get an estimated value. I wanna insure it just incase. Serial number is S231120. Thank you

 

[hkcavalier]

Looks pretty straight to me. High condition 5" 29s are very valuable...it's tough to price but a few thousand isn't out of bounds.

 

[22hipower]

Doc44, the authority here on all things 44 Magnum has posted this several times previously about the likely serial number range for 5 inch 29-2s:

"Shipments to H. H. Harris and other distributors resumed in early 1963 (29-2 model variation) and continued until end of the year. These revolvers are generally serial numbered in the S227000 to S239000 range."

Congrats on a great inheritance. Did your Grandfather recognize it's scarcity as a 5 inch?

 

[SigKev]

My records (from a Smith and Wesson Historical Foundation document) says S231120 is a Model 29-2 that shipped in June 19, 1963 with a five inch barrel. Congratulations on inheriting a rare 44 Magnum!

 

[SigKev]

If this were my 29-2 I would insure it for $5-7k depending on condition. If it looks almost new, go to the top of that range.

 

[RevV67]

Wow! That's nice. Others here know a lot more than me about the subject, but I will say this. 5-inch 29s are not very common.
That probably increases the value. The -2 certainly increases the value!
My 19 in the avatar picture is a 19-2, and I wouldn't trade it even for 2 new 19s.

 

[PauldL]

Dude, you are so damn lucky

 

[toddimusnimski]

My records (from a Smith and Wesson Historical Foundation document) says S231120 is a Model 29-2 that shipped in June 19, 1963 with a five inch barrel. Congratulations on inheriting a rare 44 Magnum!

And THAT is exactly why this Forum is the best. Knowledgeable people sharing that knowledge and keeping the history of these artworks alive. Thanks Kevin. OP, you have a real treasure. Care for it as well as your grandfather did - he had great taste.

Welcome to the Forum!

Todd

 

[Ghost29]

Doc44, the authority here on all things 44 Magnum has posted this several times previously about the likely serial number range for 5 inch 29-2s:

"Shipments to H. H. Harris and other distributors resumed in early 1963 (29-2 model variation) and continued until end of the year. These revolvers are generally serial numbered in the S227000 to S239000 range."

Congrats on a great inheritance. Did your Grandfather recognize its scarcity as a 5 inch?

I really don’t know if he did he lived in Alaska all of my childhood and I only got to be with him a couple times growing up. I wish I knew more

 

[Doc44]

Your Model 29-2 was shipped originally to a gun store in Houston, TX.

Bill

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! And what an entrance you've made with that rare and beautiful 5" Model 29-2! Lots of .44 Magnum and Model 29 fans to be found here, but not many of us are lucky enough to have a 5" in our collection. Your grandfather had great taste in revolvers, and you are extremely fortunate to have inherited it. I hope that you intend to put a few rounds downrange with that 29-2, but you may want to swap out those valuable Coke Bottle stocks for some rubber N-frame Hogues or Pachmayrs so you don't risk damaging them any more. CB stocks are bringing big $ these days, and you can see that the right stock already has a chip by the trigger guard from .44 Magnum recoil. It is a common issue, but it can be repaired by some of our Forum's expert craftsmen if you choose to do so. Enjoy!

 

[Truckman]

...you may want to swap out those valuable Coke Bottle stocks for some rubber N-frame Hogues or Pachmayrs so you don't risk damaging them any more.

I will only add to that advice by saying the rubber grips are a fine choice for shooting, however I would not recommend leaving them on for storage...Over time they will leave a nasty mark in the metal which may be very difficult to remove...I have a friend who inherited the 4" nickel 29-2 which his Dad carried on duty as a California sheriff's deputy in the 60's...It still had the Pachmayr grips on it which his Dad favored for comfort...When he took them off to see how it looked with the original target stocks, the rubber had left its damage on the finish, and no amount of his or my efforts would remove it...And being oversize Pachmayrs, the black smears on the nickel finish were outside the area covered by the originals, and were even more visible...

So the advice to shoot with rubber grips is sound, but after returning from the range, remove them, clean the gun properly and put those beautiful Cokes back on for storage...You can thank us later for that advice......Ben

 

[glenncal1]

If Grandpa left behind the box or any of the other accessories, that only increases the value.

 

[SS336]

Wow! I have to say that is stunning.
What a great inheritance, treasure it and enjoy it.

 

[Ghost29]

Welcome to the Forum! And what an entrance you've made with that rare and beautiful 5" Model 29-2! Lots of .44 Magnum and Model 29 fans to be found here, but not many of us are lucky enough to have a 5" in our collection. Your grandfather had great taste in revolvers, and you are extremely fortunate to have inherited it. I hope that you intend to put a few rounds downrange with that 29-2, but you may want to swap out those valuable Coke Bottle stocks for some rubber N-frame Hogues or Pachmayrs so you don't risk damaging them any more. CB stocks are bringing big $ these days, and you can see that the right stock already has a chip by the trigger guard from .44 Magnum recoil. It is a common issue, but it can be repaired by some of our Forum's expert craftsmen if you choose to do so. Enjoy!

I have shot it and love it. The wife shot it and hates it lol. I have looked at swapping grips but it’s hard. Not in a can do aspect no that is easy. It’s hard to change anything when grandpa never did. I may look for some nice ones to throw on for shooting thank you for your advice

 

[Ghost29]

If Grandpa left behind the box or any of the other accessories, that only increases the value.

That was gonna be my next search was a box and tools. It maybe somewhere but my cousin is not easy to deal with and she inherited 90+ percent of his stuff. I was suppose to get a couple rifles too that never made it to me they are “lost”

 

[SigKev]

Doc44 (our expert on all things 44 Magnum) has a great picture of the case that would have shipped with your 5-inch 29-2. This is a case for the 8 3/8 inch barrel and yours would have shipped in the case for a 6 1/2 inch barrel since they did not make a case specific to the 5-inch 44 Magnums. The top and bottom are molded styrofoam and many did not make it over time.

29-2 clamshell case

 

[DV0]

Thanks for sharing an outstanding piece.

Having the family lineage is priceless, funny how inheritance has no regard.

 

[PauldL]

Lol, I just wonder if your pm box has blown up yet
If i had any money, id sure be pm'g you
But, that was your grandads so, I respectfully take that back - thats a huge difference right there now
You have a real treasure- so enjoy the hell out of it

 

[Model29-26.5]

You have an absolute gem there.
A rare and wonderful heirloom.