Help Date/Info this S&W Revolver

[Emop]

It's a nickel MOD. 29-2 4" barrel, N Pre-fix, and appears to be all original.
Serial # is N621655
It has an N under the grips, and also stamped on the cylinder. Seems like some nickels have an N stamp on the cylinder and some don't. Any reason for that, or just another Smith way of marking that has no particular reason?
I was just curious what year is is and any other info that might exist?
Thanks for the help

 

[herschelgconyers]

Mid 1979

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[Emop]

Mid 1979

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Thanks... I made an edit about the N stamps while you were replying. Any thoughts about that?

 

[Spook76]

I have one done within a couple months of yours (same 4" nickel flavor and all). Mine, also, has the same N stamps. While I'm sure someone else knows far more than I do about such things, my understanding is the N stamps--at least in this era--mean it's an original/factory nickel (vs one possibly done after initial manufacture).

Did you get the wooden presentation box with it? Mine came with the box, in what looks the same excellent condition as yours, and I was told such examples go for -ish $1200-1500 (sometimes more, if somebody really wants it), depending on buyer and factors...About the only difference I see between yours and mine is my factory grips are a bit lighter than yours. That the sort of info you're seeking?

Great looking Smith.

 

[Emop]

I have one done within a couple months of yours (same 4" nickel flavor and all). Mine, also, has the same N stamps. While I'm sure someone else knows far more than I do about such things, my understanding is the N stamps--at least in this era--mean it's an original/factory nickel (vs one possibly done after initial manufacture).

Did you get the wooden presentation box with it? Mine came with the box, in what looks the same excellent condition as yours, and I was told such examples go for -ish $1200-1500 (sometimes more, if somebody really wants it), depending on buyer and factors...About the only difference I see between yours and mine is my factory grips are a bit lighter than yours. That the sort of info you're seeking?

Great looking Smith.

Thank you! Yes, the grips are on the darker side, but I've seen them vary quite a bit and I like them all. I'm just happy that they're original and the condition is about 99% The box is in great shape also.
You said it was within a couple of months of yours. I'm not familiar with the dating process but do you find the actual manufacture or build date or the date it left the factory and is it as specific as April 12, 1997 or a range by year?

 

[murphydog]

Here you go:

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/Letter_request_form.pdf

 

[Spook76]

Thank you! Yes, the grips are on the darker side, but I've seen them vary quite a bit and I like them all. I'm just happy that they're original and the condition is about 99% The box is in great shape also.
You said it was within a couple of months of yours. I'm not familiar with the dating process but do you find the actual manufacture or build date or the date it left the factory and is it as specific as April 12, 1997 or a range by year?

I was just guesstimating on the couple months, given our serials being fairly close and knowing when mine was supposed to have been shipped (late '79). I *think* I recall there exists (at least for certain eras) actual production date info, but *think* the easiest most get is the ship date. Some guns may have frames made years before the gun was completed and shipped, as far as I understand it.

 

[Emop]

I was just guesstimating on the couple months, given our serials being fairly close and knowing when mine was supposed to have been shipped (late '79). I *think* I recall there exists (at least for certain eras) actual production date info, but *think* the easiest most get is the ship date. Some guns may have frames made years before the gun was completed and shipped, as far as I understand it.

Hey, thanks very much for the explanation. I have always been fascinated with the knowledge-base here on the forum and all the guys that have spent countless years learning the finer points of what has to be one of the most complicated firearm companies in the world.

 

[bigmoneylewis]

Beautiful gun . I'd put a value on it around $ 1,400 minimum .Perhaps as much as $ 1,600- $ 1,700 to the right buyer .
Keep it in it's present condition and it will only increase in value .
Start screwing around with it, sticking it in a holster, shooting it , cleaning it etc and that value drops like a rock .Once you screw a gun up, it's screwed up forever.
Nickel, 4 " , -2 (p & r of course), as close to mint as you can find, with original box , and I assume tools and papers..it doesn't get much more collectable or desirable than that . A real treasure indeed .

Lewis

Founder of the Society to preserve Smith & Wesson revolvers