Got a 29-2 6.5" "dirty harry" yesterday

[karrrhu3]

Hello
got a 29-2 "dirty harry" 6.5" yesterday.
Test fired it some and it worked flawlessly.
Grips in terrible condition, internals fine, surface finish has some blemishes.

Wondering what the year of manufacture is?
Serial number N3235XX

 

[JH1951]

My guess: 1976......
Experts will be along shortly.

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Without checking the book... from memory I would say 1976

 

[Retired W4]

Hello
got a 29-2 "dirty harry" 6.5" yesterday.
Test fired it some and it worked flawlessly.
Grips in terrible condition, internals fine, surface finish has some blemishes.

Wondering what the year of manufacture is?
Serial number N3235XX

Great looking shooter. Have fun, and hang on.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Onnittelut, karrhu3! There are lots of Model 29 fans here on the Forum. You have a very desirable .44 Magnum revolver that appears to be in very good condition. Prices for 29-2s are rising quickly here in the USA, and that package is worth upwards of $1800 USD. The mahogany presentation case is a plus...but is the blue flocking on the box's inserts OK or in poor shape? If the flocking is disintegrating, it can easily be fixed. The Goncalo Alves wood stocks appear to be very light colored, perhaps refinished by a previous owner? That is also something that can be helped if you choose to do so. All in all, that's a very nice package! Nauttia!

 

[wcat94]

Nice! I recently got a nickle 6.5" new unfired (three marks on the cylinder).
Serial # is kinda close N3653xx. It came with the presentation wooden box and paperwork including the sales receipt dated 1/6/78 for $294.00!!

 

[karrrhu3]

Box interiors are dusty but intact and seem sturdy but there are some oil spots or something and a hole in the rear sight position.
Paid 550e for gun and box.

 

[CajunBass]

Might fine...might fine.

 

[gwpercle]

Sweet ! ! !
I remember the day a Gun Shop Owner told me he wished he had a Train Car of those ... Said he could sell every one without any problems ...
This movie had come out and everybody and his brother wanted
" The most Powerful Handgun in the world and would blow your head clesan off ... You have to ask yourself ... Do I feel lucky ! "
Every one of those big S&W's were selling like Hot Cakes !

Awesome shooter ... my buddy bought one and we only fired a few Factory Loads ... Then it was reloads with cast lead 240 gr. SWC bullets and from 5.5 grs all the way up to 7.5 grs Unique handloads ... much more pleasant for general shooting .

If you reload you can easily "Tame The Beast" ...
Congratulations on a Classic score ... shooting big bores is FUN !
Gary

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

N3235XX 1975-1976
N400000 1977->

 

[local_dirt]

I'd say you did very well for a nice looking gun. Even though the grips aren't all that great, you could put some nice grips on that gun for not a lot of money and it would be beautiful.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Wow...$600 (550 EU) for a nice 1976 Model 29-2 with presentation case! You got an outstanding buy! That same package would be 2x-3x that price here in the USA. I would suggest that you do not store the revolver in the presentation case. The flocking will deteriorate and might stick to the revolver. I don't know if you'd consider shipping the box's inserts to the USA, but Forum member Joe (jcelect) is a wizard at relining those inserts. Some DIY Forum members have relined the inserts with fabric and gotten very good results.

 

[karrrhu3]

Ordered these grips today.
Thailand-made clones.

... and bought a gray tweed jacket from flea market

 

[ameridaddy]

....
... and bought a gray tweed jacket from flea market

You'll find the gun is remarkably accurate. When you wear the jacket to the range, don't forget the hotdog and bun, eaten with one hand while shooting your new treasure.
Save the original grips. A quality restoration is not difficult,
You did just great compared to the market around here. Enjoy it!

 

[Harry Callihan]

I found the same gun 2 years ago at a gun show. It's not been fired, mint shape. I probably paid a little much for it but it's cool and I really wanted one.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Ordered these grips today.
Thailand-made clones.

... and bought a gray tweed jacket from flea market

Hopefully those Thai stocks will fit properly...I've heard good things about their products. You did notice that your original stocks had the football cutout on the left stock for the extractor, and that the new Thai stocks have an usually small cutout for speedloaders. Shouldn't matter too much at the range. Enjoy!