Serial numbers on Model 29-5

[snw19_357]

Just finished working on a Model 29-5 and since I know next to nothing about Model 29's or 29 Classics, this seemed odd to me.

The serial number is laser etched in the yoke cut, on the frame below the cylinder and on the left side of the grip frame but not on the butt.
I have seen the serial number etched on the frame of Model 66's but those were late 2001 and 2002 models in the late CEx and CFx prefixes and then it quickly went away. Since I found almost all of those on gunbroker I have no pics of the butt.

This Model 29-5 has the new style rear sight leaf but still has the old style extractor, separate cylinder frame lug and the front and back straps are serrated so I'm thinking it dates to late 1995 or 1996. I was also surprised to see the serial number start with a "T". I'm used to seeing T serial numbers on semi-autos.

Probably normal and all M29-5 Classics are like this but a first for me.

 

[Jeep 1]

Just remember with “Smith & Wesson all things are possible”
I have two that start with T one of them is a model 29-5 5 inch and one is a 629-4 5 inch, It was different to me when I first seen it. I will have to double check sure that I am correct on the 629 it could be a dash five, but I’ll look tonight. Have a great day.
Tom

 

[Engine49guy]

My 5" 29-5 Classic is Serial prefix "BKP".
Serial is in yoke cut and not etched on frame side.
Corrected prefix is Bkp

 

[snw19_357]

Thank goodness I was working on the front gage, not the action! Just noticed the strain screw.

Am I close on my date guesstimate?
So for a time S&W put the serial number on the frame, etc. I would expect they did it to at least most models and in the same time frame.

 

[grip frame]

Smith only put the serial number on the frame like that for a very short time in like 2000 or so. Right before the lock was added. A 29-5 is way before that. 29-6 was the last version with firing pin on hammer and forged parts.

What barrel length and type is on the revolver? It's also odd for a 29-5 to have a round butt unless it's a Classic, Classic DX or Magna Classic version.

I'm thinking the revolver came back in Smiths possession or was old stock that was given a new serial number and sold.

 

[Engine49guy]

Chris just pulled my 29-5 Classic and removed the stocks to double check the serial and its actually
Serial BKP-808X
My notes say it Shipped  Oct  1991

Serial on heel is BKP,
made a mistake on the earlier post which I just corrected because the serial stamp in the yoke looked like an "R" but apparently was struck off center.

 

[snw19_357]

Smith only put the serial number on the frame like that for a very short time in like 2000 or so. Right before the lock was added. A 29-5 is way before that. 29-6 was the last version with firing pin on hammer and forged parts.

That's what I thought too.

What barrel length and type is on the revolver? It's also odd for a 29-5 to have a round butt unless it's a Classic, Classic DX or Magna Classic version.

It was a Classic, full underlug barrel, and looked an awful lot like this one, except for the serial number isn't stamped, etc. It did have the Hogue RB-SB conversion stocks with metal (or at least silver colored) medallions.
Just a moment...

Chris just pulled my 29-5 Classic and removed the stocks to double check the serial and its actually
Serial BKP-808X
My notes say it Shipped  Oct  1991

Serial on heel is BKP,
made a mistake on the earlier post which I just corrected because the serial stamp in the yoke looked like an "R" but apparently was struck off center.

Serial number is on the butt unlike the one in the OP? Yours also has the earlier rear sight leaf?

 

[Pizza Bob]

This is strictly from memory and anecdotal - Around this time S&W was using laser etching for the serial numbers. The ATF thought this was too easily altered / not secure enough, so Smith apparently tried some other methods before reverting to the original metal stamping.

As an example, here is the serial number in the yoke cut of my 29-5 Classic ca 1993...

Where they were experimenting with a dot-matrix type of stamping. Not sure what the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame looks like - that would mean that first I would have to find the gun (multiple safes with multiple racks) and then remove the stocks. Too lazy to do that just now - sorry.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Engine49guy]

Never saw your reply,
My 29-5 classic has the serial on the bottom of the heel , the rear site is the new round style tang, pretty sure it's the same one as on my 629-3 Mountain gun.

 

[Shark Bait]

My 29-5 has the serial number on the butt, but it looks like a series of dots. It is also etched under the top strap above the cylinder.