Elmer Keith Commerative M29

[beerbelly]

Saw one today for sale at a gun shop. First time I have ever come across one. I have been wanting one of these since they came out after Elmer Keith passed away. I was (still am) a Keith fan (and all the other old timers-Charlie Askins, Skeeter, Bill Jordan,George Nonti, etc).
Had a price of $1200+ on it. Looked unfired, but didn`t ask to see it up close. Had the case and a copy of "Hell I was there".
Didn`t think the price was too unreasonable. Debating whether I should try to sell some guns to come up with the cash. Really don`t "need" another 4 inch 29, but this is Elmer Keith! Then I would have to decide if I should shoot it (probably would...alot).
Then I got to think`in that there are probably alot of new shooters nowadays that never even heard of Elmer Keith. Guess I`m gettin old......what do you all think of a Elmer Keith Commemorative?
beerbelly

 

[old 1911 fan]

Buy it!

old 1911 fan

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Seems like a fair price to me, just based on the gun and case. Whether all the commemorative stuff adds value, that's up to you. I've seen just one. It was a -3 and shipped in August of 1986. The s/n prefix was unique because it started with a "EMK". According to my notes only 100 were ever made. No man did more for the sport of handgun hunting than Elmer Keith.

Buy it. Shoot it. Report back.

 

[Lt JL]

Actually, I have always wondered about how much truth there was behind the legend. And how many animals he killed or crippled with needlessly long range pistol shots.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Elmer Keith

Here's a photo of the old guy taken back in the 40's with my hunting partners Dad when he lived in Salmon Idaho.....
The photo was taken by Ted Keith just before these guys headed out on a hunt back. You see another photo of these guys (wearing the same gear) on page 146 of "Hell I Was There", Elmer's book.

Elmer was not liked by everyone, that is for sure, but the guy lived quite the adventure!

The lower photo includes (From Left to Right) Loraine Keith, Dwight Williamson (my hunting partner) Ted Keith, Dwight's Mother and of course Elmer.

 

[da gimp]

thanks for the neat pix..........congrats on the OP acquiring a nice piece too.....

 

[silentflyer]

Saw on of these in a gun shop a few weeks ago, gun/walnut box/tools for 1499$, I though about and passed on it.
As for Elmer if it wasn't for him there wouldn't be a .44 mag or .41 mag or lots of innovations to big bore handguns. Just wimpy semi-auto's...

 

[Photog]

Lt JL:
I have to respectively disagree with your post. If you have read Elmer's story behind his long range pistol shots, especially the several hundred yard deer kill, you will find that the only reason he took that shot was to try and anchor an already wounded animal so as to save it from escaping and probably dying a very unpleasant death.
He was a proponent of long range hand gunning, but very rarely, if ever, applied that knowledge to any normal hunting scenario. Some may disagree with him, not like him, or not believe in what he says, and that is their option. Look at the loading manuals today and you will see that the "Keith" style bullet is still one of the most popular bullets for .357, .41, .44 magnums as well as the .45 Colt, as well of some of his loads. He contributed a WHOLE lot of knowledge and information to today's shooters although many may not realize it.
I regret that I did not get a chance to meet him in person, but through a lot of luck I was able to acquire a N frame hammer that was from his parts bin. It is a custom contour that he had S&W make for him. It is installed on a very early M29 4" that I had rebuilt by the factory in the very early 80's. One of the best shooting M29's I have ever owned.
Do yourself a favor and find the 2 volume set of Keith's Gun Notes that was put out several years ago. Also get a copy of Sixguns by Keith and read them. It may change your mind as to what is legend and what is truth. I feel that the legend came from other people and the truth from himself.

 

[Lt JL]

I'll try to find and read them. So far, still skeptical, though.

 

[Homie]

LT.- I would suggest "Letters from Elmer Keith" by Millin for "the rest of the story".

 

[theoneff]

I remember about 20 years ago watching Jeopardy and the answer was "Who was the father of the 44 magnum", I spoke up from my normal stupid/feeble minded state "Elmer Keith!!!!", man was my family impressed. Haven't been able to answer one since though. Ted

 

[2hawk]

Sorry for the thread derail, BUT...

I'd love to see a photo of that hammer, and the M29 it's in!

... but through a lot of luck I was able to acquire a N frame hammer that was from his parts bin. It is a custom contour that he had S&W make for him. It is installed on a very early M29 4" that I had rebuilt by the factory in the very early 80's. One of the best shooting M29's I have ever owned.
...

 

[S&WIowegan]

Elmer Keith Model 29-3

The Standard Catalog of S&W states that 2500 of these revolvers were made in 1985(note- no P or R). There was also a Deluxe edition made with a total of 100. The Deluxe has gold inlays and ivory magna grips. The book suggests the deluxe is worth 2x to 3x what the standard version sells for.

Be careful not to overpay for a standard version. These are worth what any one of us will pay when they come up for sale.

Maybe we should save our money for the real deal. The Keith family is planning to sell Elmer's guns that have been on display at Cabelas.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I have most of Elmer's books. By far, my favorite is "Hell, I Was There".
Just terrific! Think I will go dig it out and read it again.

 

[45Wheelgun]

The Keith family was represented by Ted Keith (Elmer's son) and his wife at the SWCA annual meeting in Boise in 2012. Mr. Keith donated a personally owned standard Keith commemorative.

This is that gun:

According to the flyer above there were 2500 total commemoratives 2400 standard and 100 deluxe.

These came packaged similar to how 60-70's vintage N-frames with display cases were packaged, the display case shrunk wrapped, the gun in a one piece blue box, all boxed in a larger outer shipping box with a traditional S&W end label on the side of the outer box.

More pictures of the above gun available here:

Smith & Wesson Forum - 45Wheelgun's Album: Elmer Keith Commemorative

I agree with Bob - these are worth what anyone will pay for them. Typically they don't seem to fly off the shelf unless they are the complete package.

 

[kennyb]

I would love to have one