Two S&W's, one 5 screw and one modern

[willb1961]

Happy new year to everyone. I was at a local gun shop today and ogled two S&Ws. I didn't explore them as much as I should have but here goes.
One was a 329 .44 mag, matte black, snub length barrel. Front sight is night sight and rear is black notch. I didn't open the cylinder but after looking on Gunbroker I think it's a Night Guard. Used, carried in holster but appears fired very little if any, no box/extras, a few scuff marks in the finish. They're asking $750.
The other, I wrote down Model 19 but I could have remembered wrong. It's a 5 screw .38, 6" barrel, target looking sights, Wide hammer, serrated trigger, original blue 98% and appears unfired. Some hard rubber grips that I can't remember the name of now (not hogue/pachmayr/etc). No box/extras. Hammer was zip tied so customers couldn't dry fire or spin the cylinder. It had no cylinder ring until a few customers played with it so they tied it off. They're asking $550.
Not sure what they are worth. If anyone has any ideas input is always great.

 

[PatriotX]

Could that second one have been a Model 15 ?

 

[willb1961]

Model 15

Truthfully I don't know. I forgot to add it has an exposed ejector, no shroud. I looked at the gun along with 5 others and wrote from memory after I got in my car. I thought about it more and more after I got home. Here is a photo from gunbroker that looks like it except the one I'm looking at has aftermarket grips. This photo is listed as a K38 from 1950.

 

[PatriotX]

Probably a Model 14, but the experts will probably chime in soon.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Weren't 5-screws pre model number? A pre model 14 would of been called the Target Masterpiece in S&W's catalog, but not so marked anywhere on the gun itself.

 

[willb1961]

Thanks for the input. It seems as though this gun will not have a model number on the frame so it could easily be a K38/pre model 14 and the gun dealer made a simple mistake labeling it a model 19. So would the only way to tell more be from the serial number? I've seen some photos of other old S&Ws with the serial number on the frame, cylinder, ejector. Looks like I'll have to go back and check the serial number so I can have it "read" here. What do you guys think?

 

[willb1961]

Hey guys, no one has chimed in on the 329 .44 mag. If it's a 329NG as I described, is it worth $750? "Model 329 .44 mag, matte black, snub length barrel. Front sight is night sight and rear is black notch. I didn't open the cylinder but after looking on Gunbroker I think it's a Night Guard. Used, carried in holster but appears fired very little if any, no box/extras, a few scuff marks in the finish, maybe 95%."

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Looks like I'll have to go back and check the serial number...

Get the "official" s/n off the bottom flat of the grip frame. The stocks may have to be removed to see it. If it is a K-frame, there will be leading letter "K" before the numbers.

The matching numbers you see on the yoke, the frame behind the yoke, and the side plate (it's on the inside), are "assembly numbers" used to keep fitted parts together during production. They are not unique (they sometimes reused these numbers). On my 1951 K-frame the number on the rear of the cylinder matches the s/n, but the other numbers are different - though they match each other.

Regarding the possible NG. $750 would be a more than fair price in my view.

 

[willb1961]

Well I didn't get the K38/14 whatever it was. Still on the fence about the 329. Since I didn't have pics of the old K38 to post I thought I'd show a few other of my favorites. Excuse the Colt but I do like it! From top left around the clock. S&W 625-10PC .45acp, S&W 681-4PC .357 7 shot, Colt DSII .38 Special, S&W 686-6 .357 7 shot with Burris Fastfire II and custom machined Weaver base that has a sight channel. If the red dot fails just pop it off and still have sights. Hope you guys like em.

 

[PatriotX]

That 681-4 PC is a looker ! Nice group.

 

[willb1961]

Thanks Patriot, it's actually my favorite but the 686 is a very close second. I'd hate to have to pick one (not based on $$ value). Something about that Birdsong green/black is just slick!
Bill