mod 29 days (1970's)

[Nightowl]

I also remember those days.
At the time, I was captain of the Ft. Huachuca pistol team.
One of the members has just transferred in from Ft. Wainwright.
He brought with him 3 new 29-2s. 4". 6-1/2" and 8-3/8".
Purchased them at the R&G club there.
Was keeping the 6-1/2 so he offered me my pick of the other two.
I chose the 8-3/8, which was my second S&W, after a Model 60.
Paid him $400 for it. A lot of money at the time.
Carried, hunted and competed (IHMSA) with it until it shot loose.
A few years ago, I shipped it back to S&W for an overhaul.
Came back like new.

It is very unusual to have a Patridge sight on ant 8 3/8. Did it come that way, or did you change it?

 

[Old Corp]

Do recall the craze.
1974, age 16, I'd gotten my first 'real job' (not cutting grass or farm work) at a large sporting goods/LGS in Raleigh, NC, store was 'Hill's Inc.' and was THE definitive shop in a many-county area for quality guns and loading gear.
Recall M29's being what's now called 'allocated stock', meaning yes, they were available, but most wholesalers required the dealer to order a quantity of S&W gear to get, ie, S&W holsters, ammo, grips, various M10's, M36's, etc.
4" M29's seemed to be the easiest to get. I also remember us getting a LOT of 4" models back in on trade or consignment sale, usually having been shot very little. Ammo cost was considered a negative, and shooting the factory LSWC ammo resulted in leading that was epic.

Remember buying a co-worker's used Ruger SBH 7.5" .44 mag. ($150) after I got started handloading, and that got me into bullet casting and becoming an Elmer Keith wannabe.