Transition case for 8-3/8” model 29 during 1959

[RT44nut]

I recently purchased this case and there are some interesting things I’ve noticed. Maybe some of you will share more you notice or are familiar.

The only transition cases I’ve seen with this style inserts with the cloth covered cardboard top and cardboard cutout bottom were for 6-1/2” and 8-3/8” barrels. Does anyone know if a 4” case was ever made? Some interesting differences on this case is the edge glued wood, the top is not as deep as the bottom (similar to the earlier black case), the latches are the same as earlier cases, and it does not have a hinge cover or signs of having one.

 

[Rusty parrot]

RT44nut,
This is the first case of this vintage that I’ve seen with no hinge cover.
I believe that in late 1958 S&W created the case to accommodate the 8 3/8” barreled pre 29 and that potentially held true until the introduction of the “clamshell” case in the early 1960’s.
It would be great to get verification of various cases from this period and also the guns that they housed.
I have never seen this variant for a 4” gun, but would sure like to.
Thanks for the posting.

 

[RKmesa]

The "hinge cover" is a piece of loose cloth, folded and tucked into the edges. The 6.5" ones are rare and I have never seen that wood case with that liner for a 4" model 29.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[RT44nut]

The "hinge cover" is a piece of loose cloth, folded and tucked into the edges. The 6.5" ones are rare and I have never seen that wood case with that liner for a 4" model 29.

Thanks for sharing,

The couple of cases I knew about had the hinge cover stapled and I assumed since this one didn’t have staple holes it never had one. Was the edge glued wood for the cases on these normal? Thank you for your input.

 

[RKmesa]

It may have been glued when it left the factory, but in the two or three that I have had over the years, the fabric was folded and tucked loose. I don't recall seeing evidence of gluing...

 

[Doc44]

I have a cloth-lined mahogany presentation case that was shipped with a 44 Magnum in December 1958. It has a "hinge cover" like that described above by Richard. Over the years I have seen a couple of cases like this for a 6 1/2-inch barrel and only one for a 4-inch barrel.

These were the first cases made in S&W's carpentry shop as the company switched from the dark blue/black cases supplied by Gates Corporation, Antrim, NH to the mahogany case. An interesting bit of trivia...When Ruger introduced their Super Blackhawk in 1959, it was also shipped in a mahogany case supplied by Gates Corporation. Ruger switched to the "White Box" after a fire at Gates Corporation made it impossible for the company to supply the wooden cases. The Super Blackhawk shown below has serial number 90. It has the scarce long grip frame and was produced in December 1959 and shipped in January 1960.

The cloth-lined mahogany case shown below was shipped with 44 Magnum, S184060, on December 11, 1958. This is one of the first regular production 44 Magnums with an 8 3/8-inch barrel. It was shipped "in the white", prepared for engraving (extra charge of $5) to Rex Firearms, NY, NY and engraved and inlaid with gold and silver by Alvin White in January 1959.

Bill

 

[DARE]

Thank you Bill! You show us some amazing guns.