Dirty Harry Model 29

[stevenorlando]

Hello All!

Does anyone know the model 29 that was used in Dirty Harry (29-X, what is the X). Also, what was the barrel length, 6" 8" or both?

Steve

 

[fyimo]

The length was 6.5 inch and I know it was a model 29 but I don't know what engineering change number if it had any.

 

[cowboy45]

A lot of the scenes used a Model 57.

 

[JP@AK]

There are lots of rumors about the guns used in the Dirty Harry movies. But as far as I can tell, here's the straight scoop.
The first movie came out in 1971, so the gun is probably a 29-2. That can be confirmed, because the gun is now in the NRA Museum. It was given to John Milius when he retired and he donated it (or perhaps loaned it) to the NRA museum.
When the studio asked S&W for a Model 29 to be used in the movie, the production line was not set up for producing that model. So one was made up for them in the Tool Room. If you read Dwayne Charron's new book, My Life Journey with Smith & Wesson, you will understand the difference.
It is believed that S&W later provided a second gun to the movie company, but no one seems to know what became of it.
As fyimo stated, the barrel length was 6 1/2", which was standard at the time. The nonsense about the barrel not being pinned is just that - nonsense. Pinned barrels were around for several years after the movie was released.
On the DVD version of the movie there is an interview with John Milius in the Special Features section that is worth watching.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

A lot of the scenes used a Model 57.

In the scene at the cross in the first movie, Eastwood tosses "a gun" away when the perp is holding a hostage. It seems very likely they used a stand-in gun for that part of the scene. What it actually was is unknown. He is holding the 29 a few seconds earlier, but then holds it down by his side, out of sight, just before he tosses it away. It's doubtful that they let him throw down that very nice Model 29 onto the gravel. Maybe it was a Model 57, maybe it was a beat up old Heavy Duty. Who knows?
Jack

 

[gunnut44]

Oh boy, here we go again

 

[colt_saa]

 

[highpower3006]

I have always heard it was a 29-2 with a 6 1/2" barrel. Millius stated in an interview that they wanted a 4", but they weren't that popular at the time and S&W didn't have any short barreled guns in stock. They did have the longer barrel so they went with it instead. After the movie they became immediately popular and the prices soared.

My Dirty Harry M29-2, 6 1/2"

 

[cobretti]

Of course, you'll need the badge...

 

[murphydog]

Lots of threads about this here...

According to his biography online, John Milius is 68 years old and alive and kicking.

 

[JP@AK]

According to his biography online, John Milius is 68 years old and alive and kicking.

Yep! And he was on the NRA Board of Directors. I voted for him several times. If I remember correctly, he attended the Board meeting up here in Alaska in 2005. I was on the Host Committee.

So, I don't know what I was smoking that day I wrote "before he died."

But it was true, actually! He donated it, and he's not dead yet. Right?

Jack

 

[Doc44]

Two Model 29-2s were made in S&W's tool room for the movie, "Dirty Harry", as the 44 Magnum was not in production at the time the guns were needed. For the movie, "Magnum Force", John Milius provided a Model 29, or possibly two (serial number in the low S200000 range). This revolver is now in the collection of the NRA Firearms Museum (see photo below). Jim Supica, Director of the NRA Firearms Museum, brought the 44 used in Magnum Force force for "Show and Tell" at the Fall 2011 Meeting of the "Southwest Bunch" that is held twice a year in conjunction with the show in Tulsa.

Bill

 

[Art Doc]

The myth of the 57 in "Dirty Harry" will never die.

One of the photos for the advertising posters used an 8" 29 to make it look bigger. Doc44 is right about two 29-2s being used for filming.

 

[Doc44]

The poster featuring the Model 29-2 with an 8 3/8-inch barrel was used to promote "The Dead Pool", the last of the movies featuring Dirty Harry.

Also, I agree with SP about the never ending "myth" concerning the Model 57. Having shot the Model 29 and the Model 57 extensively, the blast and recoil of each is not that much different. Besides, with a 6-inch barrel, the Model 57 is easily distinguishable from a Model 29.

I do believe a Model 29-2 with a 4-inch barrel was desired initially, but the Model 29 was not in production and Warner Bros. had to take what S&W could provide at the time.

Bill

 

[cobretti]

So, is "Dirty Harry" responsible for continuing production of the Model 29? Why wasn't it being made at the time and why did it resume afterwards?

Hmmm...

 

[S&W627]

Gun companies manufacture firearms in batches called "runs". They'll make one type of firearms for a period then switch over to another type for the next run (i.e. model 29's for 2,000 pieces, then model 25's for 500 pieces, then model 27's for 1,250 pieces).

 

[Doc44]

S&W, like all companies, manufactures their products to a marketing plan (and in batches like S&W627 posted). The Model 29 was not in production "at the time", but was still an active model for the company. The movie stimulated sales dramatically for this model and caused S&W to increase its production by several hundred percent in the next few years.

Bill

 

[Rudi Z]

It's a blued 29-2 in 6 inch barrel. I have the same model in nickel. It is a gorgeous piece.

 

[FlyFish]

John Milius discusses the "Dirty Harry" Model 29 here:

Dirty Harry's S&W .44 Magnum. A National Firearms Museum Treasure Gun - YouTube

 

[gkitch]

Keep in mind we are talking about five different Dirty Harry movies made over a timespan of almost two decades and utilizing two to three 44 Magnums for each movie. This means that there may be around 15 or so S&W 44 Magnums that are legitimate Dirty Harry guns.
Also, at least two of these revolvers were fictionally "lost" via the plotlines, thus justifying Callahan showing up with a "new" one in the next movie.