There is a huge aftermarket for older S&Ws. Members of this forum routinely offer older guns for sale in the classified subforum. Look on the consignment shelves of gun stores. You can also find guns on Gunbroker, GunsAmerica, or any of the auction sites. It may be that you will receive some private messages from forum members who own some older .44s and wouldn't mind tuning their collection. Don't feel that you need to go with modern production to get the model you want. It's a constant argument, but some believe that the fit and finish of guns made in the 1950s will always be better than anything manufactured afterward. Balance that with engineering improvements in later decades, and you get the consensus opinion that the 29-2 is the best combination of quality and features you can get.
Now having said all that, I will confess that when I decided it was time to pick up a .44 Magnum a few years ago, I bought a brand new 629-6 with the internal lock and a six inch barrel. I have not been disappointed in it. The only change I made was to put some smooth ebony target stocks on it to beef up its rather bland image. If I ever want another one, I will probably go for a mid-'50s gun from early in the model's production run.
I'll show the 629 just to let you see that a stainless gun can display its own kind of cool.
This is actually a round butt gun, but it is wearing square butt conversion stocks to give it a more traditional profile.
Just out of curiosity may I ask what the difference is between the vintage ones like yours and a new "classic" 29?
