My First Smith Pre-29

[Farny]

Hello,
Joined your wonderfull group a week or so ago and finally got around to posting. I grew up around Colts and Winchesters and such, but my dad was fully hooked on 1911's and out of wheelguns by the time I started buying. I've always admired the Smith's but never really understood the models, frames, ect....but your site is helping with that. After looking at Smith's for years at gun shows and stores, but never really studying them I decided to buy this one. Haven't sent for a letter yet, but am planning on it.
It's a pre-29 S180,XXX 6 1/2" barrel. From what I've read here it has been re-nickeled???(I'm guessing from the sights). Hope you enjoy anyway.....I do.

Thanks,
Josh

 

[moosedog]

Nice way to start with a beautiful pre 29 like that.
You'll have a great road ahead collecting S&Ws. Welcome aboard.

 

[gm272gs]

If it has been re-chromed, they did a fine job. That is a beauty, and a great way to start with Smith&Wesson.

Based on that serial number, it was shipped in 1958.
(S176000 - S181999 were produced from 1957-1958)

 

[snubbyfan]

She's a beauty.

 

[TACC1]

Welcome aboard from Wisconsin. Nice gun/good pic.
TACC1

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

That's a helluva way to start! Nice!

 

[glowe]

If it has been re-chromed, they did a fine job. That is a beauty, and a great way to start with Smith&Wesson.

Your fine Pre-Model 29 is nickel not chrome and it looks good enough to be original finish to me.

5 screw Pre Model 29s did come in nickel, so take off the stocks and look for an N stamped in the frame and/or the rear of the cylinder. They are rare, but they did make them. Let us know if there are any stampings signifying the finish, then get a factory letter to be sure.

 

[29aholic]

Welcome to the Forum

Nice gun. You are correct that it is not a factory finish. Nickel guns up to about the late 60's early 70's still had a blue front sight (the rear sights are always blue) and a blue ejector star.

 

[dewey]

If factory refinish, a date like 11-72. Not always a R-N in a rectangle.
(perhapes DOC44 will chime in, guru of all things .44MAG) Do a search for his posts by searching his name in Search,ADVANCED, type in name and look for his posts which are almost always about 44s)

Beautiful gun,Sir.

 

[Farny]

Thanks everyone. the finish really does look good enough to be right. I'm just going on what I've seen here in regards to the sights. The sight leaf is black, as is the screws holding it in. The ejector star is black and the front screw for the rear sight. The markings are all very crisp. I'll get some pictures on of all of them, but I seem to be having trouble uploading them. The left side of the grip frame has the assembly number and an O over a J. The right has what looks like the number 2, but not cleanly struck. There is an H and W with the assembly number and a small dot on the yoke. Serial number, J, dot and a 3 on the frame. Also it is a four screw.

 

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the forum. What a fine way to introduce yourself!

 

[glowe]

Also it is a four screw.

I can not see the right side - are there 4 screws in the sideplate, and if so isn't the 5th a cylinder stop screw in front of the trigger guard?

 

[Reddog]

That's a beauty, Josh!

 

[Farny]

Figured it out. Had to resize my pictures first.

 

[Farny]

The Smith And Wesson tradmark on the sideplate appears off-struck as well. I'll try to get a good picture of that as well. Doesn't look like it was buffed out, just thin on the bottom.

 

[WHelena01]

Welcome! Have you looked in the mirror while holding it, saying "Go ahead punk, make my day" yet?

 

[fyimo]

Welcome to the forum and a pre 29 for your first rebvolvers is quite an entry to the group. If you gun was a factory nickel finish it would have an N on the frame in the grip area and usually one on the back of the cylinder near the ejector star.

 

[rbswede]

That is one nice nickel pre-29 not sure about the re-finish from the photo. As stated here before there should be N on the grip frame if the original finish was nickel. See that you are from Indiana grew up there, went to school with some guys with a last name as your handle. Sounds like you have been educating yourself pretty good. Nice start on the forum!

Thanks RB

 

[Farny]

RB,
Not my full last name but, you wouldn't happen to be from the Leo area by chance.

 

[Farny]

WHelana01,
Not in the mirror, but got a good picture of my wife holding it for my daughters boyfriend in a text, and cliche as it was that indeed was the line used.

Fyimo,
Really enjoy your pictures. There is no N anywhere. The only thing on the back of the cylinder is the serial numer.