Engraved Prototype Model 629

[Doc44]

N629187 was engraved and inlaid with gold by S&W Master Engraver, Wayne D'Angelo in 2001. It was also highly polished and shipped with a case hardened target hammer and smooth .400-inch wide combat trigger. The original stocks were by Nill and made of dark, figured walnut, but I upgraded the stocks to Amboyna burl not long after acquiring the magnum. This revolver and several other engraved guns were auctioned to members of the S&WCA following our annual meeting in Springfield, MA in 2001. This revolver was also featured on S&W's brochure on engraving. Click on the photos for a better look.

Bill

 

[swagmeister]

WOW!!! Lucky man. One of a kind for sure. Thanks for showing.

 

[Green Frog]

I guess a request for a range report would be futile, huh?

Yep, that certainly classifies as a once in a lifetime piece. Congratulations.
Froggie

 

[RKmesa]

I love it. Wayne did some beautiful work on that one.

 

[22hipower]

Beautiful! Is there an S&W logo hidden there somewhere? It would be unusual that the factory to engrave one without the logo wouldn't it?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Doc44]

No S&W logo to be found.

Bill

 

[SLT223]

A little before the pandemic Hoffman's in Newington CT had a very similar looking 629. I recall a gold inlayed bear on one side rhino on the other. It was heavily engraved and wearing Magna stocks for some reason. They claimed it was the first 629, and were asking $80,000, if memory serves me right. Unfortunately I don't recall the serial number.

 

[Doc44]

SLT223...The Model 629 you are referring to has serial number N629156. S&W engraved and inlaid the revolver with gold and auctioned it in February 1979. The 629 sold for $80,000 with the proceeds going to the U. S. Olympic Committee. I believe Hoffman's put the 629 up for auction a number of years ago with a starting bid of $80,000, but I don't believe it sold.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

SLT223...The Model 629 you are referring to has serial number N629156. S&W engraved and inlaid the revolver with gold and auctioned it in February 1979. The 629 sold for $80,000 with the proceeds going to the U. S. Olympic Committee. I believe Hoffman's put the 629 up for auction a number of years ago with a starting bid of $80,000, but I don't believe it sold.

Bill

Bill:

N629159 sold at auction in December 2017 for just under $49K. Here is the link to the RIA auction...

Gold Inlaid Smith & Wesson Model 629 Double Action Revolver | Rock Island Auction

... and some photos from the auction (for those that don't want to click on the link...

















The years have been less kind to N629156, as it does not appear to have had the same care as your N629187. Perhaps some of the condition issues could be cleaned and polished up with a little loving care, but it hurts my caretaker soul to see the condition...