S&W pre-29 Chrome lined barrel?

[nesto]

Gentlemen:

I have an opportunity to purchase a 4-screw pre-29 .44 mag. Serial # S173807. The owner states that this gun has a chrome-lined barrel. His story is that a few of these were made at the suggestion of Elmer Keith. Naturally, I am skeptical whenever Elmer's name is used in conjunction with a .44 mag. However, I note that the muzzle is shiny. I can find no mention of this in the S&W book. Can anybody provide any info on this? True or false?

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[arjay]

Offer him $100 less for blowhardiness lol

 

[handejector]

Offer him $100 less for blowhardiness lol

I think he deserves $20 more for creativity.


I've handled a few Pre-29s.
This is the first time I've ever heard that one.
Maybe they were thinking of our upcoming involvement in Vietnam.

Wait for Doc44 to come along.

 

[alaskavett]

What ever hapened to the muzzle was not done professionally and this with the "story" does not sit well. Is this the elusive "Bubba" we all know of? Kyle

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know what YOU have, but in that time, there was the Marker Machine Co. doing aftermarket hard chrome barrel bores.
Col. Charles Askins was a big customer.

 

[Pisgah]

Can't tell, but that looks to me more like a rather poorly touched-up crown...

 

[nesto]

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[nesto]

Here is the gun. Please, real advice is needed - this gun is not inexpensive. Save the comedy...

 

[vonn]

See post #4, buyer beware.

 

[Doc44]

I looked up the serial number in my 44 Magnum Information Booklet we sold in 2011 to support the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation. It shows S173807 was shipped on June 4, 1957 with a bright blue finish and 6 1/2-inch barrel. There is also the the notation: now chrome lined. This information came from Roy Jinks and indicates to me the chrome lining is an after market addition to this 44 Magnum. I have also read most of EMK's writings about the 44 Magnum and I have never read anything about his suggesting chrome lining the barrel.

The 44 Magnum looks to be a very high condition example, but I would not pay anything additional for the chrome lining in the barrel.

Bill

 

[sndbggr1484]

Does the cylinder bluing look darker than the rest of the gun to anyone? No turn line? Maybe lighting? Just trying to help with rating gun for pricing for OP.

 

[moosedog]

Personally, that crown would bother me and detract from what I would pay for it. The chroming makes it non original. Some what as if it was after market ported or had the sights changed.

 

[beagleye]

As you can tell from everyones reaction, that is not going to help with resale value. If you want it for a shooter, probably be fine, but it's not priced as a shooter. Shooter grade 29- could be had for under a grand. Unless it's cheap- pass.

 

[handejector]

Here is the gun. Please, real advice is needed - this gun is not inexpensive. Save the comedy...

How much is it?
Have the case?
Tools?
It looks beautiful in the one pic, but we don't know if it is that nice all over. Is it?
I remember some people having that done back in the day. I don't remember if they pulled the barrels to do it, or left it on the gun. If they pulled it, look for marks around the barrel pin. If the chromed bore did not create any marks elsewhere, and it is truly that nice all over, I don't consider it much of a detraction, but more like King alterations- just interesting stuff shooters did back in the day. Many buyers would not agree with me though, so-
Are you hoping to make money?
If so, don't pay as much as an unaltered gun would bring, or pass.

Are you buying it for you?
If so, decide-
Does it bother you?
If so, pass.

 

[Satoken]

Based on the picture, it's not lined or anything just worn blue. Looks like typical S&W 5 groove rifling. Whatever you were told is just BS in my opinion. Just buy it and shoot it and enjoy. Too much worry over too little things...

 

[nesto]

Thank you all for the information - this is a big help. The owner seems to think that it is more valuable because of the chrome lining, but it is obviously after-market, so I disagree. The attempt to connect with Elmer is a stretch, to put it kindly, and means nothing to me. It is an extremely nice gun overall, 98% easily. But I will ignore the chrome feature as having any extra value. Again, thanks to you all.