Up just north Lafayette.One never knows had to see.
My First Smith Pre-29
- Thread starter Farny
- Start date
Up just north Lafayette.One never knows had to see.
I also wonder about the stocks. They should be the "coke" style, and these look to be diamond targets. It is a very nice looking 4 screw, though and I suspect it will be a fine shooter.
It is definitely refinished. As 29aholic stated, guns of that area (and into the late 60's) that were finished in nickel had a blued, proud pinned front sight. the grips are also standard diamond targets and not cokes, still worth good money.
Looks like it will be a fine shooter
Looks like it will be a fine shooter
66Park
Member
A very pretty gun and welcome to the forum! I'm not directing this at you, as I have always said the same thing, but it just strikes me odd that we all say "Smiths." I know why we do, but really the company is more "Wesson." I'm not trying to change the world here, it's just the first time I ever thought about it! D.B. and family deserve more credit! 
Hate to keep posting pictures, but asking questions is how we learn. (Asking questions, and then listening) That second part is really important.
1. Grips--I know from looking at the excellent grip thread that the checkered panel looks smaller than some, but the rear profile looks more like the "coke" picture to me. What do you all think?
Also added a picture of the rear sight. Does anyone think this was re-nickled at the factory? Half the fun of these older guns for me is the research and chance to learn.
Thanks again.
1. Grips--I know from looking at the excellent grip thread that the checkered panel looks smaller than some, but the rear profile looks more like the "coke" picture to me. What do you all think?
Also added a picture of the rear sight. Does anyone think this was re-nickled at the factory? Half the fun of these older guns for me is the research and chance to learn.
Thanks again.
Attachments
The stocks are diamond targets and not correct for your Model 29. They are still nice stocks and look good on the 44. If the revolver had a change of finish at S&W it would have an R-N inside of a rectangle stamped on the left side of the grip frame. The red ramp on the ramp base would have been left with a blue finish and pinned to the base with two pins that you could easily see (i.e. not polished flush to the barrel rib, or proud as some posters have said). See photo below.
Bill
Bill
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Thanks Doc44. Have enjoyed very much all of your information on these fine guns. Haven't read them all though, LOL. I see your a Hooiser. I reside in the North-East corner.
I've guess I've realized from the start it was re-done at some point, just trying to determine if Wesson & Smith (that was for Park66) did the work or someone else. What is the star marked under the ejector star? And, when S&W re-finished a revolver would they do it in the current production style or the original period. Thanks again, and I hope I'm not wearing out everyone's patience.
I've guess I've realized from the start it was re-done at some point, just trying to determine if Wesson & Smith (that was for Park66) did the work or someone else. What is the star marked under the ejector star? And, when S&W re-finished a revolver would they do it in the current production style or the original period. Thanks again, and I hope I'm not wearing out everyone's patience.
The first thing I look for is the distance of the checking from the bottom of the stocks. Cokes checking extends farther than the diamond targets, leaving a smaller unchecked area. Then look at the checked panel. Cokes checking extends farther side to side than regular target grips. Then there is the coke bottle swell in the panels, but you cannot see this on side views. When you have looked at enough pictures here, you will be able to pick them out pretty fast.
Farny....S&W would refinish a revolver with the process it was using at the time the gun was sent in and not the "period correct" finish. However, this most likely pertains to the process used to blue a revolver as the process used to plate a revolver has not changed. In 1980, S&W changed from a hot oven or carbona blue process to a liquid blue process that results in a slightly different color (but still very nice).
I am in the southwest corner of Indiana.
Bill
I am in the southwest corner of Indiana.
Bill
66Park
Member
Been searching around the forum a little the last few days and have a few more questions, if you all don't mind.
1. Would the grips on my .44 be the type I've seen refered to as interim?
2. Would a letter be able to tell me if it was returned to the factory at some point? If not,,as i understand it the finish of the front sight (flush finished pins, nickled) dates to the late sixties. Is there a time period where the rear sight was Nickled? I've thought i read somewhere where some of the early stainless ones had "silver colored" rear sights. Would these be in the same period of time perhaps.
3. Does the star stamp under the extractor indicate a trip back to the factory? Do the stamps on the yoke mean anything? i know the assembly numbers don't so much, but there are other numbers and letters that don't seem to show up on other S&W's i've been looking at.
Thanks again in advance.
1. Would the grips on my .44 be the type I've seen refered to as interim?
2. Would a letter be able to tell me if it was returned to the factory at some point? If not,,as i understand it the finish of the front sight (flush finished pins, nickled) dates to the late sixties. Is there a time period where the rear sight was Nickled? I've thought i read somewhere where some of the early stainless ones had "silver colored" rear sights. Would these be in the same period of time perhaps.
3. Does the star stamp under the extractor indicate a trip back to the factory? Do the stamps on the yoke mean anything? i know the assembly numbers don't so much, but there are other numbers and letters that don't seem to show up on other S&W's i've been looking at.
Thanks again in advance.
A very pretty gun and welcome to the forum! I'm not directing this at you, as I have always said the same thing, but it just strikes me odd that we all say "Smiths." I know why we do, but really the company is more "Wesson." I'm not trying to change the world here, it's just the first time I ever thought about it! D.B. and family deserve more credit!
Well then it might make you happy to know that my first 27-2 was named Doug. He is now my little brothers only revolver! I would like to have him back, but even he realizes that pristine Colt Cobra of the 60's aint no Smit and Vesson! LOL
Farny...the stocks on your 44 are called diamond target stocks and are made of walnut. They were standard on the 1955 45Target revolver and supplied with other models if special ordered. They could also be purchased separately No S&W stocks are referred to as "interim". A factory letter would not tell you if your revolver was returned to the factory because repair/refinishing records are generally not accessible. Based on the nickel refinish, I believe your 44 Magnum was not nickeled by S&W (they never nickeled a rear sight). The stamps on the yoke were put there by the individuals who assembled and inspected your revolver and have no meaning beyond that.
Bill
Bill
I have to ask the gurus here about "nickel".
When you use that term, do you mean;
(1) autocatalytic nickel plating, (2) electrolytic nickel plating, or (3) nickel-chrome plating?
I have to ask - because to me - that looks like it had chromium flashed over it. Can straight nickel plating look that shiny?
I have never owned a plated revolver or pistol before. They have always been blued, parkerized, or stainless. I just would like to know for my own edification.
When you use that term, do you mean;
(1) autocatalytic nickel plating, (2) electrolytic nickel plating, or (3) nickel-chrome plating?
I have to ask - because to me - that looks like it had chromium flashed over it. Can straight nickel plating look that shiny?
I have never owned a plated revolver or pistol before. They have always been blued, parkerized, or stainless. I just would like to know for my own edification.
I have a nickel 4 screw pre 29 in the same shape as yours. It has been re-nickeled but who ever done it did not wash out any markings during polishing. Mine has the dreaded nickel front sight. I have a brand new factory blue ramp FS that has never been installed. I also have a factory new patridge FS with a gold dot on it. Been wondering if it would be possible to put either one on my gun without having to renickle the whole thing.
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