Dirty Harry Model 29

[mc5aw]

I am somewhat ashamed to admit it, but I let my 4 screw pre-model-numbered 6 1/2" .44 Magnum go in 1978. I traded it for a bred Jersey heifer. I was just out of college (GI Bill), had a seasonal job and we needed the milk for the kids worse than I needed the gun. I had the cardboard presentation box too.
I don't know if I'll ever get a chance to own another one. I don't even have a photo of it.
Jack

Should have kept the .44, shot the cow, then had steaks & burgers for a while.

 

[JP@AK]

Should have kept the .44, shot the cow, then had steaks & burgers for a while.

We owned that Jersey for about 5 1/2 years, and only sold her because we were moving to Alaska.
During that time, she gave us 5-6 gallons of excellent milk per day (except when we dried her up to have a calf). We got four calves out of her, had all the milk we could use, sold the rest to neighbors, used the money to buy her grain and subsidize our chicken/egg operation (had all the eggs we wanted to eat too, and sold the rest). When we left Oregon, we sold her for $750. So, I'd say I got my money's worth for the revolver. But I still miss it!
Jack

 

[ltrtiger]

Gorgeous piece. Have to keep my eyes peeled for the box/badge. I'm salivating.

 

[oldtimer68]

Oldtimer68

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

I believe that the model is the 29-2 and that three versions were used. Most often it was the 6" but in one scene where Harry says" do you feel lucky punk" the camera looks up at the S&W from the perps view, and they used an 83/8" barrel to give the extended most threatening look. It is also reported that a special 4" barrel was made so that Clint Eastwood would have an easier time swinging the firearm back and forth in the action scenes.

 

[HRK]

Picked up my 29-3 at LGS a year or so ago, it had the rubber grips, I've found a few vendors with the original wood grips, looks like I'll have to make that plunge on my next venture to the gun show.

 

[Quakertown]

I believe that the model is the 29-2 and that three versions were used. Most often it was the 6" but in one scene where Harry says" do you feel lucky punk" the camera looks up at the S&W from the perps view, and they used an 83/8" barrel to give the extended most threatening look. It is also reported that a special 4" barrel was made so that Clint Eastwood would have an easier time swinging the firearm back and forth in the action scenes.

Frought with errors. There were no 6" versions at time of original movie, only 6.5" . Milius wanted a 4", but none were available. The only 8 3/8" barrel model used was for a promotional poster.

 

[fgn40]

Smith sells reissues of the gun pictured above, same box, velvet and tools, I know, I have 2 in my store right now.

Mod 29, 6.5 inch marketed as the Dirty Harry gun. Seems to me they would market a repro as true to the original as possible, so this one has my vote.

I had one issued right after the movie and it also
was mod 29 6.5"....so my votes the same.

 

[medxam]

Mine may be a NIB nickle 6 1/2 " 29-2, but to me it is a "Dirty Harry" and I have the original shoulder holster. I am not going out looking for a blued model!

medxam

 

[szyg6h]

copied this pic!

My 29 is a "Mountain Gun" - love it

 

[JP@AK]

John Milius is a pretty savvy guy, but he must have been speaking "loosely" in that video clip when he said it was a 6" barrel. I'm sure he was referring to the 6 1/2" tube, which was all they were making at that time (besides 4" and 8 3/8"). The 6" did not become standard until 8 or 9 years later (1979).
Jack

 

[mmesa005]

Clint not only inspired sales of the 44 magnum

Note Michael Douglas' hair!

 

[Budnjax]

had to be a model 25 or a 29 altered to take 45 Colt cinematic blanks....I've never heard of cinematic blanks being made in 44 Magnum caliber.

 

[sw195611]

I have a whole book on the history of all Dirty Harry films along with every movie. Clint Eastwood used a Blue Model 29-2 with a 6 1/2" barrel. He also used 44 mag ammo in the early films but then used a .44 special ammo in the later 2 films. He also used a 44 Automag in 1 film. I regret selling my 29-2 but do enjoy my 29-3 Silhouette with 10 5/8" barrel.

 

[rdcl]

I just have to get a sport coat & maroon sweater just like Harry someday. I'm talking about the coat & sweater from the first movie in the Bank robber/hot dog scene. Imagine taking your 29 to the range dressed exactly like this!......Hey, cowboy action shooters dress the part do they not?

(of course, it would work better if one LOOKED like clint.....most of us, uh....do not)

 

[erikpolcrack]

Five-in-One Blanks for Shooting Scenes

A long time ago, I read in a gun mag that a Model 25 was used for the shooting scenes, so that the so-called Five-in-One movie blanks could be used. These blanks had a base and rim made for 45 Colt, 44/40, and 38/40 chambered revolvers. The 'Five' refers to fact they could also be used in 1873 and 1892 Winchesters.

 

[semperfi71]

I feel so....................."marginalized".

About 1982 I finally had enough money to buy a M29 (I was unaware of dash numbers) and bought a M29-2. I was also unaware of the change from 6 1/2 inch barrels to 6 inch barrels. Mine is a 6 inch. I was also unaware that the pinned and recessed feature was already or about to be deleted. Mine is P&R.

I have, since joining this forum, always felt that I "should" have a 6 1/2 inch M29 or M29 "dash". But, I don't really see the need. I was in a local gunshop early this week and they had a M29-2 "S" serial with Cokes, priced at about $874.00. Not a bad price but I already have my "marginally" acceptable 6 inch which I'm just going to have to satisfy myself with.

It could be one of the last 6 inch P&R M29-2s to leave the factory. Maybe it will be collectible some day?

Here it is.

 

[824tsv]

"I was in a local gunshop early this week and they had a M29-2 "S" serial with Cokes, priced at about $874.00."
Wow, with the price that cokes are going for, you almost get a free 29 with them.

 

[Magnum-Krazy]

I just have to get a sport coat & maroon sweater just like Harry someday. I'm talking about the coat & sweater from the first movie in the Bank robber/hot dog scene. Imagine taking your 29 to the range dressed exactly like this!......Hey, cowboy action shooters dress the part do they not?

(of course, it would work better if one LOOKED like clint.....most of us, uh....do not)

HA, if I dressed like that with my 29-2, everybody would stop and ask, "Mr. Eastwood, how's your Son Clint ?"
--------------------------------



Ernie

 

[superfluities]

I noticed some of the badges pictured in earlier posts say "S.F. POLICE" and the collectors edition from the DVD set only says "POLICE", I guess San Fran got offended...lol

If you want to get schooled by Dirty Harry get the "Ultimate collectors Edition" 2008 - 7 DVDs(all 5 movies+) and your very own politically correct badge/ID wallet that only says "POLICE" it also has mini movie posters, one(or more some barrels look reeeal long) showing the 8" barrel.
Frank Sinatra was the first choice to play Dirty Harry.

 

[mike43]

I read in one of the Gun mags 20 some yrs. ago that the movie co. couldn't find one to use for the movie & asked S&W to make one from parts,hence, the 29x number? I was lucky to obtain a 6.5" Nickel 29 in wooden box in 1973,but reluctantly sold it to buy the new 629-1 Nserial# 8.38" S.S. model in 7/81,the 1st month of its release. It is NIB & I still have it today. I won't part with it,but someday,my son probably will!