Model 29 question

[TEXVET]

I have run upon an early Model 29 with the 4" barrel. The serial number begins with an "S" and is something like
S20000032 or S20000082. I didn't write down the serial number, so I can't recall the exact number of zeros. The revolver is in good shape except for the muzzle area. The bluing has been worn off pretty badly on either side of the barrel and back about 1" from the muzzle. The remaining bluing is still dark and shiny. The gun store has the gun priced at $875, but $800 would probably take it home. Would the age and condition of this gun justify the price?
S&W wants $275 to reblue this gun using their current bluing process. There is a fellow here locally that does outstanding bluing using the old hot blue process. He charges $350 for revolvers. Would having this work done on a gun like this be "throwing good money after bad"?
Thanks for your opinions.

 

[gkitch]

Tell us about the grips?

 

[TEXVET]

Hogue aftermarket grips. The gun is on consignment, so I am not sure if the original stocks, paperwork, or box might be available.

 

[arjay]

I think it's $300 too high.How long has it been sitting there?

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Do not re-blue it!

No bluing job you can buy anywhere today (including S&W's) will be close to the original. A bit of wear is no big deal. That should be a 29 no dash gun from late '59 or early '60. As long as there's no issues with the action, buy it, or PM me where it is.

 

[TEXVET]

I am working on getting it. The owner and I haven't come to an agreement on price as of yet. The folks at S&W date the revolver back to about 1962. Since I didn't have the actual serial number, their date was just an estimate.
The gun seems to be mechanically sound. The timing is good considering the age. I have a 29-2 with the 6" barrel. I thought this might be an interesting companion gun.
The "S" serial number prefix intrigued me. I have never seen one before.
If I can't close the deal this weekend, I will post information where the gun can be found.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[arjay]

A 4 screw would be worth a bit more than a 3,'62 was the start of the 3s.S prefixes were used well into the 60s.

 

[Doc44]

If the serial number is in the S200000 range, the Model 29 dates to 1960.

Bill

 

[TEXVET]

It is a four screw model. The fourth screw is on the front of the trigger guard.
I am not into collecting for the money. I am into collecting guns that are fun to shoot and then probably trading them for something else later on down the road.
I realize S&W revolvers are going up in price each year, but I do not want to buy something that is priced too high today and not be able to sell or trade it next month or next year if I decide to.
I am interested in this Model 29 because it is some 50 odd years old. I am also intrigued by old guns and the untold history they may have seen.
So, is a four screw, "S" prefix serial numbered, blued Model 29 (with bluing distress at the muzzle) worth $800?
Please don't quote the old "something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay" adage. I am looking for opinions from S&W lovers that have more experience than I currently do. I got the bug about six weeks ago. If I can make a deal on this Model 29, it will be my 7th purchase during that six week period.
I thought the 1911 was addictive (I presently have 12). Finding and buying these older S&W revolvers has become a main line addiction.
Just when I decide I have everything I want, someone will bring something else into the gun store where I shop. If it stays longer than one week, I usually take it home. It has gotten so bad that when something comes in, my friend at the store calls me with the news!!

 

[Doc44]

If the Model 29 is mechanically sound, $800 is a good price.

Bill

 

[TEXVET]

Doc44, you seem to be a man of some stature on this website. I thank you for your opinion.
Last week this same gun store got in (and sold within two days) a nickel plated Model 58 with fixed sights. The gun was nice, but I thought $1,000 was too high. Apparently someone else did not. I am quickly learning the Blue Book prices are lower than what guns are actually selling for. I now turn to you guys for guidance.
Thanks again.
Doc44, I see you are Army. When were you in? I was in from 1968-1974.

 

[Doc44]

I was on active duty 1970-1973.

Bill

 

[THE PILGRIM]

That is a gun I would like. But no grips, no box- I want it cheaper than $800. Maybe $600. Forget the bluing. It's fine just like it is. It has character- just like me!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

$800 is a good price for that gun. Like I said, if you don't want it, I do.

 

[TEXVET]

Well, I made the deal this past Friday and took the old war horse home. Called S&W Monday morning to find out when the gun was made. The Smith guy gave me a range from late '59 to early '60.

The gun store owner told me the gun probably belonged to a police officer. He said the bluing distress on the 29 was common to guns that are carried a lot in a leather holster. Looking forward to getting to the range with it soon.

Talking about police officers, this past Sunday I purchased a S&W Model 66-2 (6" barrel) Dallas (Texas) Police Department 1881-1981 Commemorative revolver. The factory box and belt buckle were missing. I found it intriguing since I live in the immediate Dallas area.
This is my third Model 66 acquisition. I find the K frame guns fun to shoot. The gun was $650 which is probably a little high, but there was just a very faint turn line. The gun appears to unfired, but I have learned that first appearance is not always correct when dealing with stainless guns. This gun does not have the "polished look" of a stainless gun that has been buffed on.

Either way, I bought it to shoot not to look at.
This makes eight S&W revolvers I have purchased since the first of August. I keep expecting the ATF to show up at my work place wanting to talk!

 

[Jdavis]

You did well Texvet. That 29 is a very desirable piece and should serve you well. Everyone loves the N-frame guns and especially the model 29s. If the muzzle wear bothers you, get some Oxpho-Blue from Brownell's or Birchwood Casey's Perma-Blue and touch it up. You won't get it perfect but it will improve the 29's appearance and won't detract from the value. I agree with you about the K-frame guns being fun. IMHO, they are the perfect size and are the easiest to handle and shoot well.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

TEXVET-
My 29 shipped in March '61. It is S2082XX. If your number is lower than that by very much, it most likely shipped in '60 as I posted earlier and then Doc44 pointed out as well.

It has muzzle wear, and other minor finish issues, but I wouldn't think of having it re-blued, and definitely wouldn't use any brand of cold blue. I bought it to have a 5" gun made from it. Even if I do have all the work done to it that I want, I will probably leave it as is, because I will carry it and use it more than any other gun I own.

 

[TEXVET]

The number on mine is S20009X. The S&W fellow said the computer showed late 1959 to early 1960 as the production date. He leaned toward the late 1959 date.
After getting the gun home and doing a through cleaning, the bluing distress doesn't bother me as much. The gun cleaned up really nice and the bluing really shines when you put a light coat of oil on it.
A friend of mine has a pair of S&W N frame stocks that went to his early Model 29. He replaced the factory stocks with a Hogue rubber grip. The gun was later stolen when his house was broken into. He sold the stocks to me for $50. The factory stocks make a big difference in how the gun looks and feels.
Thanks for all of the advice.
29.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I checked the database and S200143 shipped June of '60.