There is a way to bring that one back. The pitting seems to be mostly on the barrel and cylinder. The frame looks pretty good. If you're not concerned with it staying "original", a barrel and cylinder swap would go a long way.
Best place to buy a beater??
- Thread starter Model29-26.5
- Start date
OP
Yes. That's a way to go for sure.
Might be an option.
Still, $600 is more than I want to pay I guess
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Ask your local Gunsmiths if they have any junk.
Gun Shows use to have vendors that sold junk guns and parts.
Don't forget, one man's beater is another's man's family heirloom.
OP
I'd buy it, but I'm buying yours!!
Haha. I just can't quite justify this right now. I'll see if there are any bites over the next few weeks and maybe make an offer if not.
Speaking of Turnbull's as "Model 29 (etc.)" did, I too visited Turnbull's---and got an education. I wasn't all that happy at the outcome, but I done got edumacated!!
The Boss Lady and I are at a gun show at the Nashville Fairgrounds. She's there because there's also Antique Show in another building across the way---and I'm going to that with her---if I know what's good for me!!
Here's a .44 H.E. 4th Target in "Satin Blue"-----the funky finish. It is SLATHERED with oil!! A little voice screamed out RED ALERT---RED ALERT!! I asked the man if he had anything I could use to wipe the oil off, and surprisingly enough, he produced a roll of paper towels. I start wiping----at the wrong end! The Boss Lady is getting antsy, and say's "C'mon!! Let's GO!!" We went! I took the gun along with me because I needed one, the price was only $800, and what I'd wiped off so far was as new. The end of Chapter One is the cylinder has a turn line reminiscent of the Grand Canyon!!
I call Turnbull's when we get home. "Can you refinish a cylinder to match the rest of the gun?" "Yes."
We have a race coming up at Watkins Glen, and Turnbull's digs are 50 miles down the road. Race practice is over, and we're headed for Turnbull's.
We arrive, and tell the tale we got on the phone----Yes, we can do the deed to match. "Who told you THAT?!!" (I don't know.) "Well I'm in charge of the bluing, and I'm telling you we can't!!" I stay cool, and he calms down---and proceeds: "Bluing is a living thing. It reacts to its environment. Now we can reblue this cylinder and it will look like it did when it was new---50 years ago; but it won't look like the gun looks now!" He starts up again, and says, "We can do that cylinder fifty times, altering the several variables every time, and we MIGHT get a match twice-----how do you like those odds?!!" I allowed as how I didn't much care for them, and we headed back to the track---sadder but wiser.
I sent the whole gun back to the factory, who refinished the whole gun in Bright Blue----that in accord with the wishes of the fellow I was selling it to---for $1000. In addition to having it refinished thus, he asked me to ask S&W to omit any/all factory service/refinish markings. I told him I'd ask, but was pretty sure they wouldn't comply.
The end of this tale goes like so: They complied with my request-----with no comment/discussion/chit-chat of any kind----and he sold the gun as an original for $4000!!! So---should you happen upon a .44 H.E. 4th Target in Bright Blue that looks too good to be true, it's too good to be true!!
All this was 20 some odd years ago. I don't know what would happen today, but know that if it looks too good to be true, it could very well be just exactly THAT!!
And I ended up with another .44, that was sure enough original---but it took a while!
Ralph Tremaine
The Boss Lady and I are at a gun show at the Nashville Fairgrounds. She's there because there's also Antique Show in another building across the way---and I'm going to that with her---if I know what's good for me!!
Here's a .44 H.E. 4th Target in "Satin Blue"-----the funky finish. It is SLATHERED with oil!! A little voice screamed out RED ALERT---RED ALERT!! I asked the man if he had anything I could use to wipe the oil off, and surprisingly enough, he produced a roll of paper towels. I start wiping----at the wrong end! The Boss Lady is getting antsy, and say's "C'mon!! Let's GO!!" We went! I took the gun along with me because I needed one, the price was only $800, and what I'd wiped off so far was as new. The end of Chapter One is the cylinder has a turn line reminiscent of the Grand Canyon!!
I call Turnbull's when we get home. "Can you refinish a cylinder to match the rest of the gun?" "Yes."
We have a race coming up at Watkins Glen, and Turnbull's digs are 50 miles down the road. Race practice is over, and we're headed for Turnbull's.
We arrive, and tell the tale we got on the phone----Yes, we can do the deed to match. "Who told you THAT?!!" (I don't know.) "Well I'm in charge of the bluing, and I'm telling you we can't!!" I stay cool, and he calms down---and proceeds: "Bluing is a living thing. It reacts to its environment. Now we can reblue this cylinder and it will look like it did when it was new---50 years ago; but it won't look like the gun looks now!" He starts up again, and says, "We can do that cylinder fifty times, altering the several variables every time, and we MIGHT get a match twice-----how do you like those odds?!!" I allowed as how I didn't much care for them, and we headed back to the track---sadder but wiser.
I sent the whole gun back to the factory, who refinished the whole gun in Bright Blue----that in accord with the wishes of the fellow I was selling it to---for $1000. In addition to having it refinished thus, he asked me to ask S&W to omit any/all factory service/refinish markings. I told him I'd ask, but was pretty sure they wouldn't comply.
The end of this tale goes like so: They complied with my request-----with no comment/discussion/chit-chat of any kind----and he sold the gun as an original for $4000!!! So---should you happen upon a .44 H.E. 4th Target in Bright Blue that looks too good to be true, it's too good to be true!!
All this was 20 some odd years ago. I don't know what would happen today, but know that if it looks too good to be true, it could very well be just exactly THAT!!
And I ended up with another .44, that was sure enough original---but it took a while!
Ralph Tremaine
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I remember not too long ago, forgot which forum but a bunch of fellas bought some gunsmith specials that turned out to be LE specials from overseas all had condition issues or no barrel for some reason? But priced about $100-$200. They're probably all gone now, But be on the lookout as they had S&W model 10's in various configurations, Colt DS as well.
One of the outfits selling these "gunsmith specials" was J&G sales in AZ, Don't remember the other outfits. But these were right up your alley workable guns at reasonable prices fix 'em & flip 'em, project guns that you can cut your teeth on & still have room to break even on.
One of the outfits selling these "gunsmith specials" was J&G sales in AZ, Don't remember the other outfits. But these were right up your alley workable guns at reasonable prices fix 'em & flip 'em, project guns that you can cut your teeth on & still have room to break even on.
I remember not too long ago, forgot which forum but a bunch of fellas bought some gunsmith specials that turned out to be LE specials from overseas all had condition issues or no barrel for some reason? But priced about $100-$200. They're probably all gone now, But be on the lookout as they had S&W model 10's in various configurations, Colt DS as well.
One of the outfits selling these "gunsmith specials" was J&G sales in AZ, Don't remember the other outfits. But these were right up your alley workable guns at reasonable prices fix 'em & flip 'em, project guns that you can cut your teeth on & still have room to break even on.
One of the outfits selling these "gunsmith specials" was J&G sales in AZ, Don't remember the other outfits. But these were right up your alley workable guns at reasonable prices fix 'em & flip 'em, project guns that you can cut your teeth on & still have room to break even on.
If I got that 29 I would ditch the barrel. Maybe the cylinder to,But the frame looks pretty good. You could cut a piece of 2" pipe in 1/2 length ways and put sand paper inside it and go to work and have the OD looking good. The flutes just get the right sized dowel and use sand paper on the outside of it. But, then I have several barrels and cylinders anyway. Just took the barrel and cylinder off a 29-3 in fact to make a nice 44 special. It cylinder isn't recessed but I have a couple that are.
I bought a Llama Comanche 357 10 years ago for 30 bucks. Completely disassembled and put back together, changed the barrel. Mechanics are about the same as a S&W but if I screwed it up, only out 30 bucks. Learned a lot.
"If it's up for too long, I may make the guy an offer if it does not sell, but I would also be interested to see who does what they do with it.
If it just stays in that shape and is used as a truck gun or beater or whatever then that's the end of it I guess."
That's probably a good plan for that Model 29. I've done that in the past when a GB revolver didn't sell in the auction. I contacted the seller before he relisted, talked about condition, and made a fair offer (which he accepted). That .44 Magnum is definitely salvageable, and would make a fun DIY gunsmithing project. $400 would be tops, but if you had to pay a little more you could always sell the aftermarket stocks. Good luck!
If it just stays in that shape and is used as a truck gun or beater or whatever then that's the end of it I guess."
That's probably a good plan for that Model 29. I've done that in the past when a GB revolver didn't sell in the auction. I contacted the seller before he relisted, talked about condition, and made a fair offer (which he accepted). That .44 Magnum is definitely salvageable, and would make a fun DIY gunsmithing project. $400 would be tops, but if you had to pay a little more you could always sell the aftermarket stocks. Good luck!
OP
That's probably a good plan for that Model 29. I've done that in the past when a GB revolver didn't sell in the auction. I contacted the seller before he relisted, talked about condition, and made a fair offer (which he accepted). That .44 Magnum is definitely salvageable, and would make a fun DIY gunsmithing project. $400 would be tops, but if you had to pay a little more you could always sell the aftermarket stocks. Good luck![/QUOTE]
Yes. I just did this recently.
I think $400 is about tops for this one too.
I see a cylinder on eBay which I may snag.
I'll need a barrel… preferably recessed.
I guess it could be any length but 4" would match serial number unless that has been changed out. I'm not to bothered.
Yes. I just did this recently.
I think $400 is about tops for this one too.
I see a cylinder on eBay which I may snag.
I'll need a barrel… preferably recessed.
I guess it could be any length but 4" would match serial number unless that has been changed out. I'm not to bothered.
I didn't know there was such a thing as a beater. It seems most of the charlatans sitting behind tables at shows failed to read the preface chapter in their Blue Book. The one that deals with condition. They must overlook that in their haste to rape the factory S&W grips and replace with rubber.
Did you ever notice how hard it is to date a Blue Book unless you are familiar with edition dates? The dog eared 10yr old Blue Book with post'em notes hanging out is familiar sight.
Did you ever notice how hard it is to date a Blue Book unless you are familiar with edition dates? The dog eared 10yr old Blue Book with post'em notes hanging out is familiar sight.
hkcavalier
US Veteran
Local gun boards might be the ticket for this sort of thing. I am currently "coaching" a local guy who has a Colt 1892 Army with a 3 digit serial number that needs a ton of work to make right again. I haven't taken it home to work on, but there's no risk with this since it's a legal pre-1899 antique. I'm pretty sure you, me, or anyone else are limited to buying anything newer since "leave it here and I'll fix it" gunsmiths need an FFL. That's the hard part --- getting someone to sell their project, which is often a family heirloom.
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