pre-29 dirty sock drawer gun

[xsexcess]

scanning a not far away from me auction, two mediocre photos of a 44 Magnum, I noticed the upper side plate screw and instantly knew what it was. Poorly described in the auction, someone (and myself) bid it up to $1,400. Typical price for a run of the mill 29 I'd guess. I picked it up yesterday. It looks like the proverbial 'shot 6 times and put away' too powerful 44 Mag story, but there was at least one episode of poor storage along the way. I'd rate it a high end 'shooter' grade. But even then, a very fine revolver. Cool article online from the National Rifleman pub in 2022 titled :A First-Year Magnum: Shooting The S&W "Pre-29"

Serial according to the book is late 1956.

I looked in Red's book and the 'scabbard' doesn't match any of the ones he describes as Clark or Bianchi.

lots of (deserved) fan-boy gush over these very nice revolvers.

I got lucky.

 

[xsexcess]

couple more pix

the 'good' parts of the remaining finish are an amazing high polish noticeably blue finish. Hard to capture in an image.

 

[Jack Flash]

Woo Hoo, cokes too!

It'll look even better if you Ren Wax it.

You done great. You might want to load up some mild loads, as that will be a flame thrower with full power magnums.

 

[22hipower]

I think you got a winner for $1400. The "cokes" appear to be in good condition and are worth $500-$700 by themselves. There were fewer than 200 4 inch 44 Magnums shipped in 1956. My 4 inch, S161859, shipped in November 1956. You'll need a letter to know when yours shipped, or if you join the SWCA, the good Dr. Jinks will give you a month and year of shipment for free. Had it been mine it certainly wouldn't have been sold for $1400. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[xsexcess]

Jeff, the auction was in Forney TX...just east of Mesquite. I'm on W side of Ft Worth. All the online auctions aren't equal. These guys seemed mediocre. Only 2 photos per item, not great quality photos. I didn't get an invoice, had to ask multiple ways where is the pickup point, their CC provider wouldn't allow 'gun' transactions, etc. Moral of the story, when it's time to liquidate your accumulation shop wisely for an auction house.

 

[22hipower]

Jeff, the auction was in Forney TX...just east of Mesquite. I'm on W side of Ft Worth. All the online auctions aren't equal. These guys seemed mediocre. Only 2 photos per item, not great quality photos. I didn't get an invoice, had to ask multiple ways where is the pickup point, their CC provider wouldn't allow 'gun' transactions, etc. Moral of the story, when it's time to liquidate your accumulation shop wisely for an auction house.

Good advice. But I have a complaint, now you tell me. I'm even closer to Forney than you are. . . .wish I'd been there.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Retired W4]

A 4" 5 screw 44 Magnum!! Even after buyer's premium, etc. that's a steal.

I used to have a big time at the Mesquite gun show back in the 90s.

 

[s&wchad]

I deleted several replies.

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[dobegrant]

Very nice a perfect shooter.

 

[pharmer]

.... I have a complaint, now you tell me. I'm even closer to Forney than you are. . . .wish I'd been there. Jeff
SWCA #1457

Then youse could have bid it up even higher. Joe

 

[A10]

You done real good on that one. Any pre-lock .44 mag around these parts goes well north of what you paid.....

 

[mojave30cal]

Man, that sock must have been really dirty.