Five screw pre-29

[PattonTime]

I am looking for opinions on what percentage the finish would rate on this new purchase.
Here are the pictures from Auction site , I won't have gun for a week or so.
I was excited by the fact that it had a box, beautiful cokes and that I hope it was made in '57 the year I was !
Anyway, what would you all call it, I think of it as 90% it has some barrel wear from a holster, but the rest seems nice, and it has less wear then I do !
Serial number is 174506

 

[RKmesa]

PT:

I followed that one on the auction site. Congratulations. However, I do believe that it is a 4-screw, rather than a 5-screw, but maybe my eyes are not that good. My 4 inch pre 29 in the 177XXX range is also a 4 screw gun. I do think that 57 or 58 is about right for that SN. I'm sure Bill will be along shortly with some additional information.

I could not tell the condition of the finish, as I had a hard time distinguishing between fingerprints, oil smudges, light reflections, etc... I'd bet that it will clean up real nice.

Enjoy,

 

[Texas Roots]

Patton, it's hard to say from just a few pictures. If you're happy with it, I wouldn't worry, especially if you plan to keep it forever. 90% looks close to me. Be sure to remove the grips when you get it and see how the grip frame looks underneath.

Now, another thing. I guess I might be looking at it crosseyed, but it looks to me like that's a 6" rather than a 6 1/2" barrel.

That might be a really rare, special order gun if, in fact, it is a 6" barrel. When you take possession of it, be sure to measure from the cylinder to the end of the barrel and see what it measures out at.

I'd surely be curious.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I would say it is 85-90%. It looks nice to me, but it looks like a four screw model.

Here is my Pre-29 five screw, serial number S167228, that was shipped in July of 1956. Pistols was sent back to the factory and refitted with an 8 3/8" barrel. The barrel replacement must have been done when that length was first introduced, since it was sent back in the early style presentation case with the silk lining. You may indeed have one from 1957.

 

[PattonTime]

pre-29 ?

It is funny to me that I called it a five screw, I do know how to count !
Anyway , I posted right after I got home from work and saw I had won the auction and I was still kind of excited .
I guess I do not care anyway because it will join the other four screw 29 no dash I have in the safe , a nice pair to draw too !
I am happy, my other four screw is number S 207598, this one is S 174508
can anyone help with dates on these two?

 

[Doc44]

Many 44 Magnums in the S174000 range were shipped in 57 and 58. Your Model 29 in the S207000 range most likely shipped in late 1960 or sometime in 1961.

You can ask Roy for a more precise shipping date.

Bill

 

[phenson]

This is my 4 screw pre-29. Serial # is S174xxx. I am afraid to letter it because I really want a Jan '57 gun. Anyways its from around that period.

 

[GF]

Little thread hijack.... lookit' those KB stocks on phensons revolver...

GF

 

[H Richard]

I knew those couldn't have been original Target's. Would be curious to know what wood it is.

 

[Marksman]

Wood appears to be Exhibition Grade English Walnut.

 

[Marksman]

Here are a couple of pics of my 5 Screw Pre 29, it letters as having left S&W on February 4, 1957. It is serial # S 1473XX, I purchased it wearing the un-serial numbered 6 1/2" barrel. The original 4" barrel which is serial numbered to the gun was included in the purchase. It now wears a 5" barrel.

 

[ia1727]

Little thread hijack.... lookit' those KB stocks on phensons revolver...

GF

I agree--could we PLEASE see the left grip also---most beautiful grips I've seen in a long time---WOW !!!!!

Steve

 

[Rawhyde]

I agree--could we PLEASE see the left grip also---most beautiful grips I've seen in a long time---WOW !!!!!

Steve

Great idea! I think we need to see the other side!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Bill,
what about the OP's gun's front sight pins? They should be polished flush on a factory gun shouldn't they? Maybe this is a cut down gun?



Texas Roots-

That's definately a 6.5" barrel. The distance from the muzzle to the ejector rod housing is a dead give away. On a 6" gun it is almost exactly the same as from the end of the rod housing to the cylinder.

Tim

 

[Doc44]

G4F...I noticed the exposed pins and this condition suggests the front sight/ramp may have been replaced at some point in the life of the gun. I have also seen a couple of 44s that came from the factory that way. You just never know.

Bill