S&W 44 Magnum At The Tower of London

[quinn]

On a recent visit to London, I was able to convince my wife to spend the day touring the famous (infamou?) Tow of London. Our final stop there was the arms museum. What to my surprise, nestled among the sheet metal, cast iron, and istruments of torture was an engraved model 29!

According to the card, this 29 had been ordered by a Londoner and delivered to a local gun shop. When the gun was not picked up, it was subsequently purchased by another Londoner who sent it off to be engraved. Some time later the 29 was gifted to the Tower of London Arms Museum along with a 686(?). Obviously, this was an important firearm as it was in a custom display cabinet and located next to the Brown Bess display of the Revolutionaary War Era if my memory is correct. I did not see any other "modeern" firearm any where on the T.O.L. grounds The glare and crowds made photos difficult and the many steips temperered my interest in taking dteail notes.

 

[Model29-26.5]

That's very cool.
I went there once as a kid with my school when I lived there.
I doubt either of these were there.. but it's possible. That would have been around 1988

 

[CH4]

I saw that this past September. Very cool. Never thought to take a picture of it.

 

[Doc44]

This Model 29 is shown in "Artistry in Arms" by Roy Jinks that features S&W firearms that were part of the S&W International Museum Tour 1991-1995. Trustees of the Royal Armouries commissioned Tiffany & Company of New York to prepare the design for this revolver. The design is based on the leaves and branches of trees associated with weapons manufactured in Britain: oak, ash, and elm for cannon carriages, walnut for gunstocks, and yew for longbows. A unique S&W indeed. Glad you were able to see and photograph it.

Photo below is from Roy's book. Single click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

 

[Valmet]

Interesting. I was there way back in 2000 and if it was displayed then I must've missed it.

 

[quinn]

Thanks for the info, Bill. The gun caught me by surprise at the museum as it was so far from the timeframe of the rest of the museum. It sorta eclipsed the royal jewels... no offense Charles.

 

[jkingrph]

I was there in Jan-Feb of 91 when I was deployed to a USAF contingencyhospital for Desert Storm. I do not remember seeing those there either.

 

[H Richard]

I was there but probably long before it got to the British. (1960), while stationed there in the USAF. It used to be photograph's were forbidden in the Tower of London.