Reasonable current prices to expect for a Pre 29?

[YouveHadYour6]

Howdy all,

Having re-acquired a .44 mag wheelgun, a 629-3 Hunter, it has renewed my affection for the big N-frame magnum and gotten me back interested in acquiring one of my intended 'eventual grails', a Pre 29.

However after some consideration I realized I've only seen one locally in a year of perusing the local shops and shows, a fairly standard 6.5" w/box but nothing else that was priced, IIRC, $2,395 at that show.

I'm primarily a shooter/collector, and even my more unusual and vintage pieces such as my early Luger P08 and my 1915 M&P see a few rounds of appropriately loaded ammo each year, so I'm not looking to put thousands of rounds through one of these fairly (comparatively) delicate old beasts but also don't need 'safe queen' level examples, which tend to be most of what I see at auction - those and unusual barrel lengths. While a 5" or 5.5" would be a dream gun, even the lower grade examples of these tend to go for higher than I'd like to go on a shooter-grade +- example.

I've focused mainly on .357 models the last few years, so seeing 29-2s going for over 2k w/box and papers is a bit surprising - what kind of ballpark should I be considering here for a nice mechanically solid 6.5" or, perhaps if lucky, 4"?

Perhaps I've waited too long and priced myself out of these...would hardly be a first!

Thanks for any guidance, gurus!

 

[Valmet]

While I'm far from an expert- $2000-2500 seems ballpark for some of the more common bbl lengths in high condition.

 

[series guy]

For a gun that only was produced for a few years there are many things to consider when purchasing a .44 Magnum. We can start with the box. The earliest boxes were more black than blue. The value on these has jumped tremendously over the last 5 years. Then tools enter into the equation with the sight adjusting tool being the most important and most expensive. You also have to consider the grips as the original "cokes" are also worth crazy money and will add considerably to your outlay if you have to source these to replace non original grips. Then we finally get to the gun with condition and 4 screw vs 5 screw being a factor in value for many. I am far from any type of authority but from what I've seen $2500 for just a nice condition gun is getting pretty common. Add in the complete package and things can get serious. As with anything collectible buy the very best that you can afford. That said I don't pay extra for unfired or very lightly used guns because I shoot all my guns, the .44 Magnum included.

 

[Hawg Rider]

.44 Magnums can become quite addicting, and many Forum members have beautiful collections. As to your dilemma...I see quite a few Model 29-2s for sale at gun shows and online, and the prices have definitely risen in the past few years but there are still deals out there. But the "pre-Model 29s" you're looking for (5-screw and 4-screw .44 Magnums) are really going for sky high prices now and getting more difficult to find. As others have stated, expect to pay $2000 for a shooter, and $3000 and up for a 95% revolver with box and goodies. The Coke Bottle stocks have soared to nearly $1k per set, and the boxes are now $400+ when you can find one. I have a hard time paying those types of prices, so it may be awhile before I add to my modest collection of .44 Magnums. Good hunting!

 

[Truckman]

The last one I allowed to slip my grasp was a 4" with original cokes and box which shipped June 1958...I got slicktalked out of it for two guns and a wad of cash I valued at $2650...I still own a 6 1/2" with cokes from March 1957 which I have no intention of letting go that cheap......Ben

 

[SAFireman]

The early guns with Cokes and the Black presentation cases are going 3500 & up easily. I saw a 4" barrel go for $4500 very recently, and the 5"? hold on to your wallet

 

[Ol' Drover]

There are still some bargains out there if you look hard and are lucky. I found this 4-screw a few months ago for $1200. It looks just like it it did when it shipped from the factory in 1957 except that the original 6.5" barrel has been replaced with a 5.5" one.

 

[glowe]

Searching on GB for recently sold early 44 Magnums yields two guns. The 5 screw below sold for $2726 and the 4 screw engraved sold for $2385.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

Thanks for the input y'all; think I'm budgeting about right then - I'm hoping to find a shooter-grade (4 or 5 screw, likely 4 I imagine) w/original 'Coke' stocks, possibly worn, in good mechanical shape for about 1800-2400, so maybe with some patience I'll have some luck.

 

[AC Man]

There is a 4 screw 1957 with dirty tools and nice original leatherette case at $2,150 with three days to go on Gunbroker. I am sure you can Google it. I have it on my watch list.

FWIW I have a 1956 5 screw, and a 1957 4 screw in the leatherette case with unused tools in mint 99% condition and I have no intention of firing them since they appear unfired.

I was born in 1956, the wife born in 1957. So they are safe queens till my son inherits them.

I bought both last year for $4,200 each. My old gun shop guy says the 5 screw is worth $1,000 more than the 4 screw.
You have to realise these two guns were only made for about one year each.

 

[AC Man]

99% of my 44 magnum collection is model 29-2. They are just as good, still pinned and recessed and still hold their value. Count on $1,600 to $2,500 for mint condition box, papers, presentation case. You can go down from there.

 

[luvsmiths]

Howdy all,

Having re-acquired a .44 mag wheelgun, a 629-3 Hunter, it has renewed my affection for the big N-frame magnum and gotten me back interested in acquiring one of my intended 'eventual grails', a Pre 29.

However after some consideration I realized I've only seen one locally in a year of perusing the local shops and shows, a fairly standard 6.5" w/box but nothing else that was priced, IIRC, $2,395 at that show.

I'm primarily a shooter/collector, and even my more unusual and vintage pieces such as my early Luger P08 and my 1915 M&P see a few rounds of appropriately loaded ammo each year, so I'm not looking to put thousands of rounds through one of these fairly (comparatively) delicate old beasts but also don't need 'safe queen' level examples, which tend to be most of what I see at auction - those and unusual barrel lengths. While a 5" or 5.5" would be a dream gun, even the lower grade examples of these tend to go for higher than I'd like to go on a shooter-grade +- example.

I've focused mainly on .357 models the last few years, so seeing 29-2s going for over 2k w/box and papers is a bit surprising - what kind of ballpark should I be considering here for a nice mechanically solid 6.5" or, perhaps if lucky, 4"?

Perhaps I've waited too long and priced myself out of these...would hardly be a first!

Thanks for any guidance, gurus!

I just sold this one here on the forum a few months ago:
SOLD - 4" .44 Magnum

If you find something NICE, buy it. It won't last.

 

[jcelect]

Sit down when you read this!

On one of the auction sites, right now, there is a 5 screw, w/black case, & cokes listed, and the price is at 6K, 35 bidders, & 3 days to go! When buying a gun, there are three things to look for, condition, condition, & condition!
jcelect

 

[dave1918a2]

I think the days of a $2K pre-29 are over. I have seen 2 for sale up here in the last 2 years. One was priced at $2995 W/O cokes and the other was priced at $4k with cokes. Both sold in short time.

 

[boykinlp]

On one of the auction sites, right now, there is a 5 screw, w/black case, & cokes listed, and the price is at 6K, 35 bidders, & 3 days to go! When buying a gun, there are three things to look for, condition, condition, & condition!
jcelect

I've been watching that one. Isn't the SAT wrong?
Larry

 

[AC Man]

What does SAT stand for? How am I supposed to know that? LOL

 

[arjay]

What does SAT stand for? How am I supposed to know that? LOL

Sight Adjustment Tool (screwdriver)

 

[AC Man]

Sight Adjustment Tool (screwdriver)

Ah ha. I have a question about those screwdrivers. I have one that has all the tiny spikes and others are all the standard ridges. Don't know what is correct. Maybe I'll make a post about it.

 

[jcelect]

I've been watching that one. Isn't the SAT wrong?
Larry

I think a $100 SAT has little bearing on a purchase when your bid is 6K+!
Also, the brass brush is missing!
jcelect

 

[spin132]

I gave 4k for this 5 screw in 2022. Box was in kinda crappy shape and only came with SAT. Hope that helps. Shout out to JCelect for the great case restoration, appreciate it Joe. Thanks to another generous friend here for help with tools!

Mike D.

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