Model 29-2 with 5 inch bbl

[mikey52]

Hi! Does anyone have any info on how many of the Model 29-2, with 5 inch bbls. were produced? I can't find any numbers on total production. Even a good guess, will help. I know they are scarce, but I don't think a 5 inch bbl., makes them worth a 300-400% premium. Maybe, I'm wrong, but that is a lot of extra money for just more/or less barrel. Any help or thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks Mikey

 

[feralmerril]

I have heard there was about 500 of them. I bought what I thought was one many years ago. Looks straight to me in every respect. A couple years ago I lettered it and found it left the factory as a 6 1/2". I ran across a identical one at a gun show that was about 7 numbers off mine. Lettering is centered, muzzel is crowned exactly like my others, front sight the same, all numbers are right etc. I have owned two other 29-2s to compare the details. Sometimes it makes me wonder if I got wrong info in the letter. That said, I always have liked a 5" barrel. I own a HD that I found a model 21 5" barrel for and had the barrel put on and the clyinder reamed out to .44 special. I also own a texas wagon train commemrative in 44-40 also in 5". They look almost the same. Since there was only about 500 made and it seems that everybody also loves the 5" barrel in the model 27, there is a almost cult status wanting a 29-2. All that leads to the high price. I do have the original cokes to this gun stashed.

 

[feralmerril]

Mickey, if you think the price is unique because of the rarer barrel length, try pricing a 3" colt python. That extra 1/2" is close to that ratio too.

 

[shaggist]

I don't know how many were made, but I have one of them. The sweetest handling and shooting gun I have ever owned. I just can't see the sights anymore without glasses.

 

[Nightowl]

According to Roy Jinks History of Smith & Wesson, 500 were ordered by H.H. Harris in 1958. From discussions here, it is unknown how many were delivered, and less than 300 have been accounted for. They were delivered in the 29, 29-1, and 29-2 range with the last one that we know of delivered around 1965. There have also been two or three documented pre 29 5 inch barrel guns shipped prior to the H.H. Harris order.

They are in high demand and command some pretty healthy prices. There are several forum threads about them and sometime back we had a very long thread about the 5 inch .44s. I don't think the thread has survived as I could not find it last time I looked.

 

[mikey52]

Hi Everyone! Thanks to the forum for putting my post, in the correct category! My mistake, I'm sorry!
Thanks for all the replies, to my questions. I guess if the Model 29, 29-1 and 29-2 combined; had 300 or less, with a 5 inch barrel, then that's not very many. They are out of my price range, If anyone is interested, they have a Model 29-2 with 5 inch bbl #N815xxx, at Gander Mountain, Evansville, In. It looks to be in nice cond., but I did not handle the gun, so can't say for sure. Just shy of $3800. Again, thanks for the help from everyone. Mikey

 

[Nightowl]

Hi Everyone! Thanks to the forum for putting my post, in the correct category! My mistake, I'm sorry!
Thanks for all the replies, to my questions. I guess if the Model 29, 29-1 and 29-2 combined; had 300 or less, with a 5 inch barrel, then that's not very many. They are out of my price range, If anyone is interested, they have a Model 29-2 with 5 inch bbl #N815xxx, at Gander Mountain, Evansville, In. It looks to be in nice cond., but I did not handle the gun, so can't say for sure. Just shy of $3800. Again, thanks for the help from everyone. Mikey

Doc44 will have to respond here, but an N serial that high would be shipped in the late 70s, well beyond the 1965 date that I seem to remember was mentioned as the latest shipped. From what I have read, I would think that all the serial number Model 29s with 5 inch barrel should begin with an "S". It could be my information is incorrect or incomplete.

 

[Doc44]

All documented 44 Magnums (Pre-29, 29, 29-1, and 29-2) with a 5-inch barrel, except one, have a serial number beginning with the letter S and date from 1956 to 1969. The majority were shipped in 1958 and 1963. The exception is N75847 that was shipped on May 30, 1973 and was a special order for a factory employee.

Bill

 

[flundertaker]

All documented 44 Magnums (Pre-29, 29, 29-1, and 29-2) with a 5-inch barrel, except one, have a serial number beginning with the letter S and date from 1956 to 1969. The majority were shipped in 1958 and 1963. The exception is N75847 that was shipped on May 30, 1973 and was a special order for a factory employee.

Bill

So either the employee special order is for sale in a gander mountain store or they are trying to pass off a cut down as the real deal based on their asking price. With my past dealings with GM in mind i know which scenerio I feel is significantly more likely.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jtcarm]

So either the employee special order is for sale in a gander mountain store or they are trying to pass off a cut down as the real deal based on their asking price. With my past dealings with GM in mind i know which scenerio I feel is significantly more likely.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

That would be an easy one to fake.

Without knowing much about it, I'll bet fakes outnumber originals 20-1.

 

[jtcarm]

Mickey, if you think the price is unique because of the rarer barrel length, try pricing a 3" colt python. That extra 1/2" is close to that ratio too.

LOL, I didn't know there was such a thing. I would have thought 3" would cut through a vent.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

Any gunsmiths still doing a "re do" of 6 or 6.5" M29s to 5"?. I have a 29-2 that is very good "shooter" condition and I think the a 5" shooter would be just cool.

 

[garandglen]

I have been looking at the same gun too! Price is crazy!

 

[Doc44]

If the revolver is all original it is well worth the asking price of $3800 (assuming it is 98 percent or better) as it would most likely be the last factory-produced Model 29-2 with a 5-inch barrel.

Bill

 

[Bill Bates]

I've often wondered why Smith & Wesson didn't produce more 5 inch .44 Magnums. I've owned 8 3/8 in., 6 1/2 in., 6 in., 4 inch and one 5 inch .44 magnums. The 8 3/8 are great shoot but a pain in the neck to carry. The 6 1/2 and 6 inches are nice to shoot and not to bad to carry. The 4 inch is a little nasty to shoot with full house loads but carries great.

The 5 inch carries almost as nice as a 4 inch but with out the bluster when shooting. To me, it also seems to point and handle the best. Plain and simple the Smith & Wesson 5 inch .44 Magnum is pick of the litter.

Here is my 5 inch pre-29; one of the few guns I own that is on my "I won't ever sell it" list.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I think 500 were shipped to H. H. Harris in Chicago.

 

[mikey52]

Thanks for all the info on the Model 29-2. My next trip to town, I"ll ask to look at the gun. A friend of mine looked at it and said it was in excel. condition, and appeared to be a good bbl, not cut down. he said blueing, lettering, centering/position, all looked right. A good inspection, might turn up something different. Thanks again! Mikey

 

[feralmerril]

Mikey, I thought mine was original for 35 years untill I lettered it. If there was 10 lettered 5" 29s on a table I would put mine on and defi
roy, doc or anyone else to show me the differance. Lettering centered, perfect traditional muzzel, front sight mounted right. All barrel, clyinder and frame numbers are right. You might put GM on the spot and tell them if it doesnt letter, can I return it or get a generous kickback?
That said I will keep mine. A lettered one coulkd be no different. I had bought a new 4", sold it and put money with it to justify buying mine in the early 70s. While I would like the 4" back, I wouldnt trade my altered 5" for it.

 

[Doc44]

I just returned from Gander Mountain in Evansville where I looked at the 29-2 we are discussing. I did not ask them to take it out of the case as I am sure the barrel has been cut to five inches and the red ramp on a ramp base mounted to the barrel with two pins that are not polished flush to the barrel rib. It is possible S&W did the work, but that is irrelevant if the barrel is not original.

A nice shooter in my opinion, that is priced about $3,000 too high.

Bill

 

[mikey52]

A big thanks to Doc44, for clearing up the confusion on the Model 29-2, at Gander Mt. If it had been a factory 5 inch gun, with that high of serial number; it certainly would have been a great find. Thanks again Doc44 , for all your time, effort and trouble, on verifying what the gun is. All members here should be proud to have such dedicated collectors, as yourself, on this forum, and in our hobby. Thanks Mikey