S&W 629-5 Snub Camfour Pre-Lock Fixed Sight - Looking for Info

[DeepBlue99]

Been researching these on this forum and elsewhere lately for the purpose of establishing what a good price would be for one of these. I'm finding that this particular batch of fixed sight Camfour 629-5's and 629-6's were a lot rarer than I initially thought they were.

Sale prices I've seen on here and elsewhere including popular auction sites seem to be all over the place. Some older ones I saw were around $1,000-1,500. But the more recent ones from the last couple of years have been in $3,000-5,000 range (!!!).

Hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on this topic.

What would be a reasonable price for a S&W Camfour 629-5 Product Code 103839 Spec 9316 in mint condition with original box and papers as in attached pic?

 

[swage]

I just picked one up last month. It did not have the box or papers, but did have combat grips on it that do add to the value, albeit not original to the gun. I thought I paid "all the money" at just north of $2,300. It's worth what you and the seller agree the value is. In an auction setting one like you describe in the picture will bring north of $3,000 in my opinion. It all depends on how many bidders feel like they cannot live without it. The entry cost on short barrel, big bore N frames has sky rocketed lately for the "no lock" early variants . I feel like if you can get a 98% example with a box and papers below $2,000 you're doing well. As you're aware they only made 300 of the -5 no lock example. You never pay too much, just too soon.

 

[WCCPHD]

Can't help much on the value today, as I've had mine for a couple of years. What I find interesting is the difference in the frames from the 29-5 to 29-6, primarily at the top rear near the hammer.

The Model 629-5 is squared off and the dash 6 is rounded.



S&W also did several runs of the fixed sight 629's for Lew Horton. They did a dash 3 in two runs and another one or two in the dash 6 with the interlock. I only have the dash 3.



And a gratuitous "covey shot."

 

[DeepBlue99]

Very nice set Bill!

So... just to crack open the kimono a bit... I purchased the one in the original pic NIB about 20 yrs ago. Here are some additional pics. It is complete and in excellent condition all around. I would say easily 98%+.

Not really pressed to sell, though rising prices did catch my attention. Still love these. However, there are a number of items that I would much rather have to play with right now that can be obtained in this price range. Hence, may be willing to sell if the price is good.

 

[peyton]

List it here first, we have lot's of money for fine S&W revolvers!!

 

[swage]

Another example sold within a day of my auction. It had box and papers but was in well used shape. What I would consider 85% and sold for $100 less. I've already had offers over what I paid for it.

 

[Narragansett]

The last thing I want to do is knock another person's special interest. I could not see myself ever paying 2K for one of those let alone 3-5K. They have to kick like a horse, have a less than desirable sighting radius, and the cartridge has way more potential than the gun will allow it. The only ones of those that would interest me would be a documented Vietnam era tunnel rat version, and I am sure that is well over the 5K mark

 

[ImDrRich]

The Camfour 29 is my grail gun. I admit I might just resort to .44 spl in it, but I'd love a short-barrelled 29.

 

[DeepBlue99]

List it here first, we have lot's of money for fine S&W revolvers!!

Truth be told, I would prefer a private party sale. Not a big fan of GB, as there is always the potential for drama there, which I suppose comes with the territory.

I'll try to narrow down the price range a bit before posting though. Bottom end seems pretty clear, but I'm still not sure about the top end.

Could probably do a trade for a Sig P210 Legend/Target, Walther Q5 BT, H&K Mk23 or something in that range.

 

[swage]

The last thing I want to do is knock another person's special interest. I could not see myself ever paying 2K for one of those let alone 3-5K. They have to kick like a horse, have a less than desirable sighting radius, and the cartridge has way more potential than the gun will allow it. The only ones of those that would interest me would be a documented Vietnam era tunnel rat version, and I am sure that is well over the 5K mark

Different strokes for different folks. I only collect big bore, short barreled revolvers. It seems I'm not alone as there is A LOT of competition for them and the prices go up every year. I have no interest in any longer barreled variants. I don't hunt with them and have better options for self defense. I buy them because I "like" them and because "I can." No other reason. Perhaps someday my interests will change and I can easily convert them to cash for more than I've paid for them based on pricing trends over the last eight years that I've been collecting them. My only regret is that I started about ten years too late.