Need help on a Pre-29

[gunkook]

I purchased a Pre-29 today that has Roper or Roper style grips. A real beauty but the barrel was cut to 4.5 inches at some point. The work was done right and the front sight was pinned in two places like older revolvers. I snapped a pic at the dealer since I have to wait 10 days. I know it makes the gun a shooter and not true collector piece but it is a Pre-29. My question is how much does the cut barrel take away from the value (I know that's subjective but just a guess if anyone has one). Also, I'm going to try and post the pic and wanted to know if there is a way to verify it is a true Roper grip. It is probably the most comfortable grip I have ever felt on a revolver. Thanks for any help or opinions.

 

[wetdog]

Were you able to remove the grips and look for a factory return date?

 

[gunkook]

No I wasn't. I am hoping it went back to the factory but plan to get a letter anyway. I always love the history of these old guns. Would it be stamped on the frame of the grip it was?

 

[Mike C2]

In my casual look into pre-29's 5 screw 6 1/2" barrel guns with all the accessories, box and Cokes bring $3000 give or take. Add $500-$1000 for a 4" gun which there weren't many of. Figure reduce those amounts by $500 to $1000 for a 4 screw gun.

Once again, this is "ball parking" and can vary dramatically.

A shooter pre-29 with Cokes is ~$1500 or so and I would think yours would trade in the $1000 range? Unless those are real Ropers in which case it could go WAY up.

Will be interesting to see the consensus.

 

[Skwirl]

It also appears that gun has been refinished.

 

[gunkook]

Thanks for the info Mike. I looked pretty hard at the finish. I know the barrel was refinished but don't believe the frame was, but I could be wrong. Don't know if there are any Roper experts that could weigh in. Really curious if there is a way to identify the grips.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Heck, I'd shoot that. If it looks right (not purple and over-polished) and no mechanical issues then it may be a fine shooter. Is it a 5 or 4 screw?
In December 2018 I bought a shooter grade, 1st year, 6-1/2", blue, 5-screw with coke stocks that needed a little mechanical work to adjust the timing and the cylinder touching the barrel (headspace?). The cylinder gap was fixed by swedging the yoke, not by shims. The finish is original but there's nothing especially pretty about this revolver other than it having the original finish, five screws, and cokes. It is a terrific shooter however, and slays steel targets with great precision. I'm in it at under $1,100 plus the $75 letter, which told me it went to a giant hardware company in Amarillo, but not a famous writer or sportsman, in July 1956. If I saw your .44 Magnum at a gun show or shop and knew it was cut and refinished, possibly factory, I might be interested in the range of $800 to $900, but it would have to be good to go with no additional work required. Don't know about the Ropers but they look nice and desirable. FWIW, I scoured that Phoenix gunshow all weekend looking for a decent shooter 29-2 and found nothing except $3500 4 and 5 screw safe queens, of which there are plenty.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Take the stocks off and post close ups of the back. Roper used a jig system that left small linear holes in the wood. It should be fairly easy for our Roper experts to say whether or not they were made by him. I'm pretty sure Keith Brown would know.

 

[wetdog]

While the stocks are off post a pic of the left side of the grip frame to see if any return date stamped. Also a pic of the inside of the ejector rod shroud to see if the barrel is numbered to the gun and a possible diamond stamp to show work done. If a factory job it should be marked.

 

[gunkook]

Thanks all for the info. When I get the gun in hand I will post some photos. I did look at the ejector rod shroud and I believe it is numbered to the gun.

 

[gunkook]

Photos of Pre-29

I finally picked up my 4-screw Pre-29 and thought I'd post some photos to get your opinions. Photos of the Roper style grips show small linear holes possibly from a jig as mentioned Roper used. Upon further inspection of the revolver, there is no return work stamp on the frame and no number in the ejector shroud. I don't think the barrel was refinished as the muzzle appears to be unfinished. The barrel measures 4.5 inches. I'm sure the frame was not refinished. The serial number is S169731. If anyone has an idea of when this gun was made I would love to know, as well as any other opinions about the barrel work and especially the grips. Thanks again to all.

 

[Benton Quest]

Is that a 5" gun?

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

[Benton Quest]

Nevermind...just saw your 4.5" comment.

I am an idiot.

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[S&W ucla]

Yep, Ropers! Very Nice!! Elmer Keith had one of his 5 screw Pre-29s cut to 4.5". A GREAT Bbl length

 

[gunkook]

Thanks for the info and the EK photo. Glad to hear they are true Ropers. Confirms that I got a decent deal for the revolver! I'm looking forward to shooting it but debate on keeping the Ropers on it when I do. But they are very comfortable grips. Thanks again.

 

[tennexplorer]

With the barrel being cut to 4.5", which is an unusual length, I would certainly letter it. Depending on the results, I would consider a request to the Historical Foundation. The crown appears factory, and the 4.5" length could lead one to believe that someone interesting owned it.

 

[gunkook]

I agree about the letter. I planned on it regardless since I really like the history of these older revolvers. I thought the crown looked factory too after further inspection but wouldn't it be blued? I don't think the barrel has been re-blued though and I'm sure the frame wasn't.

 

[mbliss57]

Interesting 4 1/2 " barrel length. Just on the off chance, you did measure from the cylinder face to the muzzle right? That's an easy one to make a mistake on. If you did it might be a 5" gun.

 

[Bob L]

gunkook, regardless of the history of the gun, it looks great and the Ropers are a great addition. But remember to post a range report although it might take a while after the first shot when everyone at the range comes over to look.

 

[gunkook]

Yes, I did measure from the cylinder face so it is an odd barrel length. I will post a range report when I get a chance to shoot it. Not sure how much interest there will be at the local range. Seems most people are in to their semi-autos but there might be a fellow enthusiast around. I'll also post the results when I get the letter.