629-1, 3inch, Square Butt??????

[ajt]

I just picked this up yesterday at what I think might have been a good deal but I'm most definitely a novice S&W connoisseur! I'm not seeing 3" square butts anywhere. What are your thoughts? Are these early 80's? Is it rare or does the square butt add any value? Thanks for educating me!

 

[dsf]

No pinned barrel means 1982 or later and according to the SW catalog the Triple Alpha (3 letter prefix serial number) year of manufacture is 1986. The book references 8,000 629-1 made in 1986 and lists the 3" as having a round butt. No mention of a 3" square butt.

 

[toroflow1]

That is a later barrel, with "Smith & Wesson on the right side. Someone took a 3" later barrel and screwed it onto that frame. It is not original from the factory in that config.

 

[SVT28]

I will second that this one has a barrel from a new production 629-6 3". Would be a nice rig for carrying/shooting!

SVT28

 

[dsf]

FWIW, I'd ditch the target style grips and use service types, grip adapter.

 

[ajt]

Thanks for the info everyone! I got it to carry/ shoot and have very little invested so the value for me will be in using and enjoying it. I would imagine the monetary value would be drastically reduced with the wrong barrel, correct?

 

[toddimusnimski]

Thanks for the info everyone! I got it to carry/ shoot and have very little invested so the value for me will be in using and enjoying it. I would imagine the monetary value would be drastically reduced with the wrong barrel, correct?

I wouldn't say drastically. You do have a custom piece that many will appreciate. You may want to add some rubber target grips if using heftier loads. It's a keeper!

Welcome to the Forum!
Todd

 

[stansdds]

It's definitely not original, as previously mentioned, the barrel has been replaced. Overall, it looks really good, if the barrel swap was done correctly it should be a good shooter. The stocks look like Herrett's smooth Shooting Star stocks. I have found the Shooting Star stocks to be very comfortable in my medium sized hands.

 

[hkcavalier]

A 629-1, other than the actual LH snubs isn't all that collectible, so I don't think there's any real hit to the value. Indeed, many of the most collectible and desirable S&Ws from the 70s and 80s are those modified after leaving the factory, though this example doesn't exactly fall in the same camp as the Jovinos, Behlerts, Clark Customs, and ASPs.

 

[Yendor357]

One question mark is completely adequate.

 

[SweetMK]

One question mark is completely adequate.

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HUH!!??!!!!!

 

[Tom S.]

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HUH!!??!!!!!

Look at the Thread Title.


OP: The value is somewhat affected by the barrel swap, but since you plan on carrying and using the firearm, I would not worry about the value because both of those actions will cause wear that would effect the value anyway. Just enjoy it for what it is a short barreled flame thrower!

 

[panamajack310]

I like the gun! If you're going to shoot it who cares if it is a square butt or round butt. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot it. Someone probable had an 8 3/8 barrel wanted a 3 in and changed it.

 

[DeafSmith]

I got this one a few years ago.. and I also suspect they replaced the barrel with a 3 incher.