Model 29 Age

[66luvr]

Hello to all.
New member, old guy at 67.
I have owned this 29 since early 1980s. I am wondering about the age of it. I know where the gun was sold new, the original purchaser is now deceased, he worked for the gun shop most of his life.
I ramble.
The gun is a blue 6" serial #154471. Any help is appreciated.

Mike

 

[JP@AK]

Mike
Is the serial number actually N154471? If so, the manufacture date is 1973. That would make it a Model 29-2. Is this correct?

Also, is the barrel 6" or 6 1/2" long? That could affect the price.

 

[JP@AK]

Also - welcome to the Forum!

And you aren't "old." I'll be 67 in less than a month. Despite what my kids say, we are not old! (Although I do feel like it most of the time.)

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Mike, there will be an S or N in front of the number from the butt.

 

[JP@AK]

there will be an S or N in front of the number from the butt.

Yes, but S154471 would not be a Model 29 and it would have at least four screws. This could be the case, but I would take Mike at his word that it is a Model 29. Of course, I've been wrong before . . .

 

[66luvr]

Thanks for all the positive comments. I may have been in error about the model. It is a 44 magnum so I probably assumed it is a 29. There is an "S" way before the serial number, I didn't notice it before. Measuring the barrel as per the instructions I read elsewhere on this forum it is 6.5". I don't see a model # where the cylinder swings out/yoke area. And it has 4 screws.
I cant wait to hear if this is a 29, what are the other possibilities?

Thanks, Mike

 

[weatherby]

That is a very early gun.
It sold new in the mid 50's
Before they started model marking them.
That is why you don't see a 29.
Oh and there will be another screw hidden by the grips.

 

[66luvr]

That is a very early gun.
It sold new in the mid 50's
Before they started model marking them.
That is why you don't see a 29.
Oh and there will be another screw hidden by the grips.

Thank you weatherby.
Yes there is another screw hidden by the grips, which are not original to the gun. When I got the gun it had a set of custom wooden grips which looked wild and were not comfortable when firing the gun, at least not comfortable for me. I bought these somewhere, I don't remember where, I assume they are S&W wood grips. They look good but the checkered area seem sharp, too sharp to be really comfortable when shooting. I'll try to get some pictures soon.

Again, many thanks to all, seems we are getting to the facts even though I am not much help. I own a few guns but am not very knowledgeable about them. When I bought them many years ago they were just guns to me. I enjoyed shooting some but not much of a hunter.

Mike

 

[JP@AK]

Mike

S154471 dates the gun to 1956. It could be a 4 or 5 screw frame. The way to tell is whether there is a screw at the top of the sideplate, up by the hammer. That one was eliminated in 1956, but four and five screw frames were issued concurrently for a short period of time. Five screw revolvers have four in the sideplate and one in the front of the trigger guard (cylinder stop plunger retaining screw). That one was not eliminated until the early 1960s so we know your gun will have it.

As Weatherby mentioned, the named model 44 Magnum was not called the Model 29 until 1957 and the first Model 29 shipped in January, 1958.

6 1/2" was the standard length barrel on the early .44 Magnum, so I'm not surprised that is what you have.

 

[weatherby]

Definitely gets some pictures and if you still
Have those target grips some pictures of those also.

Some of those are quite valuable.

 

[Doc44]

Your 44 Magnum has a 5-screw frame and was most likely shipped in late 1956 or early 1957.

Bill

 

[66luvr]

Took a few pictures. Please remember I bought this used back around 1977. The only thing I have done is change the grips and shoot it, and remove the "other" thing. More pics in next post.

Mike

 

[66luvr]

More pics. And more in next post.

 

[66luvr]

Some more pictures, hope I'm not boring you guys.

 

[66luvr]

This is the last of them. The scope was on it when I bought it. I removed it and this is the first time it has been on there since. I never fired it with the scope attached. I wish it wasn't drilled and tapped. Oh well.
I guess knowing what I now do this thread is in the wrong forum, Moderators please feel free to move it to the correct forum.

Thanks to all, I've learned a lot. And I plan to learn more as I read things which interest me on here.
Mike

 

[JH1951]

You are not boring us at all..... We actually enjoy things like this.
Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania!
67 is only a number, and I am not at all far behind you. There are lots of us this age or older here, so you fit right in my friend.
Your Smith & Wesson is very nice. As a matter of fact I am lusting for it. Have been looking to find one like it for a while with no luck, but the hunt will not end. Take that baby out and enjoy it. It's a classic!l