Quirky new-to-me Mod. 29 (prob. 29-2) found today...

[YouveHadYour6]

FAIR WARNING - What you're about to see IS NOT a rare find or inadvertent holy grail, just a sort of 'funny' one I came into today for a price that couldn't be beat - trading off a semi I didn't even want anymore!

Small local show, not a lot to see except a few 70s/80s S&Ws, all overpriced, variations I have, or both, when on my way back out I see the familiar N-frame, and getting closer sure enough, it turns out to be a 6.5" barrel. I know the seller a little and he's saying it's a 29-no dash, I'm raising an eyebrow as it's obviously a 3-screw...'til I drop the gate, stare in puzzlement for a few seconds, and then it clicks.

We worked out a straight trade, both happy, but while I know I'll need to letter it to be sure, tell me how far off you guys think I am on this guess: My guess is that this is an early 29-2 with 3 screw frame that was mis-stamped in not one but two ways (S/N shown below for reference; I take it given this forum it will be treated respectfully as the informational item it is only) - as I've tried to show in the images below, the finish does appear original, slightly worn - obviously we both knew we were looking at shooter-grade items - but it is indeed stamped merely Mod. 29, with no dash at all. Almost as interesting to me, note below that the 'N' preceding fairly early-ish S/N 11013 is actually double-stamped, much like some early postage stamp errors or double-proofed coins.

The grips are obviously just half-decent repros, but lock-up is as tight as any Postwar Smith I've had, the barrel and bore are crystal clear, and the bluing looks to need a good slow cleaning more than it's actually reached corrosion.

Is it 'really' a 29-no dash? Bah, sure, and RIA will be calling me any second! It it a really cool pinned & recessed 'Dirty Harry' I can take to the range w/o too much worry that has some interesting history behind it, one way or another? Heck yes!

Now just gotta decide if that letter'll be worth it on what is at heart a fairly basic fourty-four...

Enjoy the pics guys; I'll post more soon once I get'er fully cleaned and spiffed up. Cheers!

 

[Xfuzz]

A 1970 "Monday" S&W....

 

[YouveHadYour6]

Yup purty much!

 

[Doc44]

Nice looking Model 29-2. The stocks are quite nice and if they had S&W monograms, I would leave them on the revolver. I would think the gun shipped sometime in 1971, but that is a guess on my part.

Bill

 

[Rusty parrot]

Congratulations on your acquisition and addition to your collection. Every addition is a joy.
As far as a LETTER, again I would say that’s for your enjoyment. This is all about what makes us happy about what we enjoy.
Best regards,
Jake

 

[YouveHadYour6]

I admit, the stocks really aren't bad for non-OEMs - really the only blatant away is how red they are in natural light and the medallions being slightly off-center, which is rather hard to notice. As one I intend for only occasional plinking with my cowboy loads, I do plan to leave the stocks* as-is.

I quite like'er for one I wasn't expecting in this neck of the woods! Last 29s of any variation (not 629s) I saw local were 2k and up - and some of those were dang rough for that money at the last big show I went to!

Thanks guys - pretty happy with this one.

*Edit for spelling.

 

[jcelect]

What is the serial number stamped on the bottom of the grips frame?
jcelect

 

[YouveHadYour6]

Cleaned up pics - excuse any oil sheen, as it's been wiped down again once I saw how sheeny the pic came out - the exception being the grip frame S/N pic, which I had to sort of let a slick of oil slide across to really highlight - but the S/N does match throughout the gun.

Most certainly a 29-2 with some misstamps, as there's no indication of major futzing with the gun, refinishing, buggered screws, etc.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

Just a couple more:

 

[s&wchad]

I'd like to see a good close up of a grip medallion. They appear to be marked "Smith & Wesson" across the top and have a small S&W trademark in the center.

 

[stansdds]

The SN definitely rules out it being a Model 29 no dash, but does put it into 29-2 production. The finish does appear to be original, the stocks, nope, they are reproductions. I expect the frame was incorrectly stamped, not uncommon with S&W revolvers, although maybe the frame forging was a 29 no-dash that sat around until needed to fill a 29-2 order. Based on the pics, I'd wager that the previous owner shot it, decided the S&W target stocks had to go in favor of something else, probably rubber grips, and the factory stocks sold or trashed as was common back in the day. Then, when getting ready to sell, replica stocks were swapped in to try to make it look original. With no box and non-original stocks, I'd say this is a high-grade shooter Model 29... errr... 29-2.

 

[Retired W4]

A 1970 "Monday" S&W....

Or Friday afternoon.

 

[glenncal1]

This forum is filled with examples of guns that don't have the correct dash stamp. I have a 4" 48 that is stamped no dash but should be a dash 3. That is a nice shooter 29 with a little story to go with it.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

Yep, it's basically just a 'fun' example and in way too good a condition - even the repro grips included - to pass up, even as a misstamp and having been looking for a no-dash a while. Even if I resold this one I'd be to the good - didn't have that much in the 1911 build I traded, tbh - but it cleaned up so well and handles nicely; I think it'll be a keeper.

The repro grips do indeed have 'S&W' medallions which in design are pretty close to the right design, neither is fully aligned on either panel however and they have a strange, goldish shine in some light, despite being 'silver' - my best guess is these are some repros from India or, if older, maybe China, as I've seen companies from those areas in the past advertise 'legitimate S&W stocks' that are also 'not OEM' (reconcile that, right?)

When all is said and done, I'm pretty dang pleased. Now I gotta see about going back this afternoon to find a misstamped 4" I can get at the same kinda bargain...