629 no dash P+R 8 3/8" how many made

[Masterblaster426]

I picked up a minty 8 3/8" stainless pinned and recessed model 629 the finish is what I would call satin finish. How many of these were made? I'll add pics as soon as I can figure out how. Thank you.

 

[triaxle]

I had a 4 inch , P/r I think maybe only around 50 of them 8 ? maybe more .

 

[22hipower]

I'm not sure that anyone knows how many 4 and 8 3/8 629s were made in 1981 before the -1s hit in 1982. Not all that many of either but I don't think I've seen any actual production numbers. Here's one of mine but it is scratched up some.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2pDUb7A https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Xfuzz]

I kept an 8 3/8's inch 629 ND out a small collection
I bought last winter. NIB with factory letter.
Crunching the numbers looks like around 10K
ND were produced I think 8 3/8's maybe the least
produced....but that is just a guess.

 

[murphydog]

I have seen a factory letter (now known as a letter of authenticity) that documented 629 production numbers, but as I recall it was not broken down by barrel length.

Edit to add: see the post above, thanks!

That said, the 6" is by far the most common and both the 4 and 8 3/8" were only made for about 12-18 months.

 

[Masterblaster426]

629 p+R

The letter posted with the dates and numbers
Helps. Mine is in the last batch Jan 15 cool. The letter helps! Thank you
But.... I'm not seeing a breakdown in 4",8 3/8" etc

 

[Doc44]

There are no numbers available for the total number of Model 629s manufactured by barrel length. The numbers published in the letters of authenticity issued by S&W and later the S&WHF are based on research by Roy Jinks of early Model 629 production.

Bill

 

[22hipower]

And that breakdown in the posted letter of SNs of 629 production clearly doesn't include all of them; likely not most of those produced in 1981. My 4 inch is N866129 and the 8 3/8 inch shown is N865816, both outside the ranges shown as was the one in the posted letter. I suspect many towards the end of 1981 would be found as pinned but not recessed or recessed but not pinned.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Norton 750]

Thanks for that letter! Mine is has a N855 starting number, which seems to be outside the range. What to you make of that?

 

[22hipower]

Thanks for that letter! Mine is has a N855 starting number, which seems to be outside the range. What to you make of that?

The letter only covers production through Jan/Feb 1981. Production continued for most of that year.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[toddimusnimski]

Line 1 (March 5 1980) shows 850 made ranging from N748564 - N748913; I think he meant 350 lol. Great info I haven't seen anywhere else, thanks for posting.

Todd

 

[The Gila Bender]

My P+R 629 no dash 6" N8702xx shipped October 1981 according to Roy J.

 

[Norton 750]

Interesting. The puzzle pieces keep coming together...

 

[Masterblaster426]

My numbers are N8405xx
I'm considering having it mirror polished. I'm not a big fan of the satin finishes. I got a quote of 500 bucks to get this done. Will this depreciate the value of this gun? I don't know what it's worth now, but I don't want to hurt the value. If getting it polished helps the value, in sending it out asap!

 

[reddog81]

My numbers are N8405xx
I'm considering having it mirror polished. I'm not a big fan of the satin finishes. I got a quote of 500 bucks to get this done. Will this depreciate the value of this gun? I don't know what it's worth now, but I don't want to hurt the value. If getting it polished helps the value, in sending it out asap!

What condition is the gun in today? If the gun is in good condition, it will most certainly drop in value. If the gun is well used with knicks and dings it probably won't change the value much but you'll still be out $500.

 

[Masterblaster426]

The gun is in pristine condition. Checkering on the stocks are sharp and perfect. No nicks scratches nothing. Very faint drag line

 

[ACORN]

The gun is in pristine condition. Checkering on the stocks are sharp and perfect. No nicks scratches nothing. Very faint drag line

IN THIS CONDITION, DO NOT POLISH IT!
You'll be out $500 and diminish its value to boot.

 

[22hipower]

$500 to polish a stainless gun? Polishing them doesn't devalue them for me, but will for some. It certainly wouldn't increase the value from my perspective. I'd leave it alone and wait for something else shiny to show up, put a few more dollars with that $500 and have two.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Nightowl]

Diminish value? I will NOT buy one that has been polished!

 

[Masterblaster426]

I like the advice... put the 500 towards a shiny one and have two..