629-1, Exactly what is it?

[Retired W4]

An FFL friend of mine has this 8 3/8" revolver with integral slots on the barrel and grooves (below the barrel rib) The SN is BBC####. We are trying to determine what model variation it is exactly. I took these photos at the show this past weekend so someone here could identify the gun. The slots appear to be Weaver types, as seen in photo #3. No rings are with the gun.

We will be putting it up for sale soon.

 

[steelslaver]

I think it was a regular 8 3/8" 629-1 someone milled slots in for a scope mount.

 

[CH4]

I think it was a regular 8 3/8" 629-1 someone milled slots in for a scope mount.

^^^^^^^^
This

I've never seen OEM slots for scope rings on a 629-1, but have on a full lug 29. It came with special Millet rings, which are now impossible to find.

 

[Masterpiece]

An FFL friend of mine has this 8 3/8" revolver with integral slots on the barrel and grooves (below the barrel rib) The SN is BBC####. We are trying to determine what model variation it is exactly.

Retired W4,

I don't believe the 8 3/8"-Barreled 629 Revolvers built "Factory Broached" for Scope Rings had a specific variation noted...They were only listed by the (Product Code 103615)!! They were also offered in a Model 29 as well!! Most all of them (29's & 629's) having Barrels Factory Broached for Scope Rings were built in the '89-'90 Year range if memory serves!!

I've also attached a couple Photos...One of the Scope Ring Kit that was included in with the Revolver when originally shipped as well as a Close-Up View of the Rings themselves!! By the Way...The Original Supplier of those Rings was Millett, but they are extremely hard to come by anymore!! As a Side Note...I know some have had good luck modifying Burris Rings made in the similar Style to use if the S&W Originals can't be found!! Hope I've been of some help!!

 

[Retired W4]

Retired W4,

I don't believe the 8 3/8"-Barreled 629 Revolvers built "Factory Broached" for Scope Rings had a specific variation noted...They were only listed by the (Product Code 103615)!! They were also offered in a Model 29 as well!! Most all of them (29's & 629's) having Barrels Factory Broached for Scope Rings were built in the '89-'90 Year range if memory serves!!

I've also attached a couple Photos...One of the Scope Ring Kit that was included in with the Revolver when originally shipped as well as a Close-Up View of the Rings themselves!! By the Way...The Original Supplier of those Rings was Millett, but they are extremely hard to come by anymore!! As a Side Note...I know some have had good luck modifying Burris Rings made in the similar Style to use if the S&W Originals can't be found!! Hope I've been of some help!!

I see that Product Code, 103615 in SCSW, dating it to 1989, which jives with the SN on this one. Thanks for the heads up on the proper rings. Looks like it will be a chore getting those to make this game killer complete.

 

[3S16]

It looks like a stainless version of the 29-4 "Scope Mount" revolver. This one dates to 1989. It was milled at the factory and came with rings specific to this gun. Also came with spacers, screw driver, cleaning kit, mounting instructions, and the usual paperwork.

 

[hdfinder47]

Very interesting and unique (to me).
3S16: nice one!

 

[Retired W4]

It looks like a stainless version of the 29-4 "Scope Mount" revolver. This one dates to 1989. It was milled at the factory and came with rings specific to this gun. Also came with spacers, screw driver, cleaning kit, mounting instructions, and the usual paperwork.

The blued carbon steel version of 103615, both 1989. Thank you for that.

 

[75Vette]

I ran across a dash 3 model a few years back with a BFB serial prefix dating it to 1990. The previous owner used a clamp on scope mount (can't recall the manufacturer) and gouged the frame. I was able to grind & polish the marred surface so it looked normal again. I did try to modify a couple sets of rings with no success.

 

[LittleAugieMo]

May be the lighting but does anyone else think the bbl has been swapped?

 

[jcelect]

Scope rings

These special scope rings were manufactured by Millet and look exactly like the Millet Angle Lock rings made today! However, there is a slight difference in the clamp part of the special rings for the S&W revolvers!

Back a few years ago, someone posted how to alter the Millet Angle lock rings of today to clamp tightly on the S&W barrels.

This system was used on a limited run of guns in the models 29,629,586, & 686.
jcelect

 

[jughed440]

I once had the 686 version...luckily the original rings and Combat stocks came with it.

Update: Need info on 686 with slots for Millet scope rings

Another thread on the subject...

Help! Integral Scope Mount Rings?

 

[jaymoore]

The "regular" Millett rings can be milled so that the short clamps will work. (Photos are in several older threads on this forum, but I don't feel currently inclined to wade through a couple of thousand of my posts....) I did that for my 29-3 with the cuts but managed to get a couple of sets of correct NOS Millett rings direct from S&W in the very early 2000's. I like the modded rings better, not that either set in service has failed. (OEMs are on a 629.)