I recently acquired a 4" M29-2 with serial number S3173XX and from what I gather from my forum search this gun was made sometime in 1969. Is that correct? If so, can someone give me some help with the month? Also, the 2011 Blue Book indicates a higher value for "S" prefix guns over "N" prefix guns. Why is that? Thanks for the help.
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M29-2 "S" prefix serial number
- Thread starter ab7wh
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S serial
ab7wh, that is probably a 1969 gun, but you cannot use the serial number to determine the month or even year. S&W did not ship in serial number sequence, so even if you found a gun that was one number before your serial number, the shipping date could be months apart or even years. The only way to confirm the exact shipping date is by requesting a factory letter (cost is $50). That will give you a nice, brief history of the model along with the shipping date and name of the store, distributor, or individual who received the gun. For a 29-2, it most likely went to a S&W distributor.
The S-serial numbers command a higher value for a number of reasons (some real, others perceived). Since S-serial guns usually shipped in the 1950s and 1960s, many people feel the quality was higher and quality control was better. I own guns from the 50s, 60s, and 70s and can tell you from my experience that the difference in quality between late S-serial and early N-serial guns is difficult to observe (and perhaps impossible to find). But, I will also tell you that I only own one N-serial gun (a birth year gun for me) and many S-serial guns. But for me, the reason is that I prefer the early 44 Magnums over the ones made in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
ab7wh, that is probably a 1969 gun, but you cannot use the serial number to determine the month or even year. S&W did not ship in serial number sequence, so even if you found a gun that was one number before your serial number, the shipping date could be months apart or even years. The only way to confirm the exact shipping date is by requesting a factory letter (cost is $50). That will give you a nice, brief history of the model along with the shipping date and name of the store, distributor, or individual who received the gun. For a 29-2, it most likely went to a S&W distributor.
The S-serial numbers command a higher value for a number of reasons (some real, others perceived). Since S-serial guns usually shipped in the 1950s and 1960s, many people feel the quality was higher and quality control was better. I own guns from the 50s, 60s, and 70s and can tell you from my experience that the difference in quality between late S-serial and early N-serial guns is difficult to observe (and perhaps impossible to find). But, I will also tell you that I only own one N-serial gun (a birth year gun for me) and many S-serial guns. But for me, the reason is that I prefer the early 44 Magnums over the ones made in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
S317873 shipped on September 22, 1969. This one, S316488, shipped on August 19, 1969.
Bill
Bill
Thanks Everyone!
Very much appreciate all the useful responses re my new M29-2. Mine is serial number S317301, so "probably" shipped late-summer or early-autumn 1969. My revolver is very similar to the condition of the one in the excellent photo. Thanks again.
Very much appreciate all the useful responses re my new M29-2. Mine is serial number S317301, so "probably" shipped late-summer or early-autumn 1969. My revolver is very similar to the condition of the one in the excellent photo. Thanks again.
drewjh...Your 29-2 probably shipped in the second half of 1968.
Bill
Bill
Frangible
Member
M 29 or M29-2
I dig this old thread out, i baught this Gun at an Auction. The Gun is stamped Mod.29 no dash #S 299633. Curious,the Serialnumber dates the Gun as a late 1968 Mod.29-2 and not as a Mod.29. Here some Pic`s:
Greetings from Austria
Georg
I dig this old thread out, i baught this Gun at an Auction. The Gun is stamped Mod.29 no dash #S 299633. Curious,the Serialnumber dates the Gun as a late 1968 Mod.29-2 and not as a Mod.29. Here some Pic`s:
Greetings from Austria
Georg
Pointblank2U
US Veteran
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Frangible- Somebody at S&W forgot the -2 when the gun was stamped. Incomplete and incorrect model numbers happen with regular frequency.
Here's one not too far off in the S299 range with NO model mark. But it is the Tunnel Gun
Chuck
Chuck
Frangible
Member
And noe with a set of Curacs in Bocote:
Still looking for Cokes
regards,
Georg
Still looking for Cokes
regards,
Georg
With all due respect. Can you back up this statement?
Those are beautiful stocks you have there. Spectacular might be a better word. Very nice combination of revolver and wood.
Frangible
Member
An hour ago i sniped this Coke bottles on a German Auction for € 190,- plus shipping. I hope this are real Cokes, maybe Rosewood? Had all the Cokes the black Washers?
Regards
Georg
Regards
Georg
I would love to find any early 4 inch N frame, but especially one from 1964.
An hour ago i sniped this Coke bottles on a German Auction for € 190,- plus shipping. I hope this are real Cokes, maybe Rosewood? Had all the Cokes the black Washers?
Regards
Georg
Look real to me and that's a good price.
Misstamped guns are fairly common, though I doubt there would be a lot of documentation on them. I have seen, on this forum, factory .44 magnums stamped with M 57, guns stamped with a dash and no number afterward, overstamps Iindicating model changes, and more.
kihnspiracy
Member
My 29-2 4 inch version is S/N S300083. I think it is a 1968 version also.
