Early 5" Pre-29 with a story.***UPDATE***

[29aholic]

Chuck... Pre-Model 29,S154457, 5-inch, BT, was shipped to Rex Firearms in August 1959. I don't know if it has a 5-screw frame, but its serial number suggests it should have.

Bill

Bill, one would think so. Maybe it'll turn up some day and we can know for sure. A look at the database however, tells me it could be either 4/5 screw in the S154XXX range. Just another one we won't know about for sure unless it turns up, but there's always hope

Ahh the quest continues...maybe I can beat you guys to this one

 

[29-1]

Curtis, I hope you do!
Chuck

 

[29-1]

J.C. here's another 5" that I posted a couple of months ago with a memorable story. Gotta love the 5" 44 magnums.
Chuck

 

[NT430]

.308 Winchester!

29-1, thanks for sharing a gorgeous revolver and a compelling story.

Did anyone else notice that the Dr. Copperidge also ordered two boxes of 150-grain .308 Winchester ammo when he ordered his custom Model 29? On 14 March 1956, the 308 would have been hot off the press, just like the 44 Magnum.

Seems like the good doctor was consistently ahead of the power curve.


Okie John

OJ, Jim Coppridge was definately ahead of his time gunwise in 1956 when he ordered this 44 Magnum. Ex-Army, competitive marksman, had dinner with Carl Hellstrom in 1956 at the Tampa Mid-Winter Nationals, a big game hunter, etc., Jim knew S&Ws and better yet, exactly what he wanted in a S&W revolver-a 5" barrel! It just took the factory a really long time to accomodate his request!

Chuck

Chuck, now you're talking MY language....
The "7.62 NATO/ .308 Winchester" cartridge was actually authorized April 7th, 1952 by Winchester. First referred to as the "T-65 experimental cartridge" - then the "7.62 NATO" and finally the ".308 Winchester". The "Model 70 Featherweight" rifle was designed around it. Among the "Pre-64" Model 70 collectors finding one stamped "7.62" is tantamount to finding a "S121836" The Prototype Pre-29! It eventually became the 4th most popular cartridge in the Model 70.

Speaking of Model 70's - Here's a sampling of some we've used in Wyoming for everything from Rockchucks to Fox/ Coyote, Antelope, Mule deer, Elk, and Moose....This group contains a Model 54 in '06, Pre-War Model 70 in '06 (1940), Transition .270 Winchester (1947), .22 Hornet (1948), .257 Roberts (Sept. 1950 my birthday gun), .220 Swift (Sept 1950 my other birthday gun), .270 Featherweight (1955), .243 Varmint (1959), Westerner .264 Win Magnum (1960). Missing during the photo shooting are .338 Win. Mag, .264 Win. Mag. Featherweight, .300 H&H Bull Gun, .375 H&H Magnum...

 

[boykinlp]

This was an awesome read and very informative. I wonder why the gun (a special order) was discounted from $140 to $115.72

 

[semperfi71]

Very informative and educational. Great luck in having all of the documentation.

Love the Pre-64s as well.