Unique 29-2 Engraved for Captain in the Navy

[Doc44]

It isn't often you get a chance to add a unique 44 Magnum (29-2) such as the one shown in the two photos below to your collection. However, thanks to two forum (and S&WCA) members, I was able to purchase the Model 29-2 that was factory engraved and inlaid with gold and platinum for Captain Peter Allen Forrest (USNR). Captain Forrest was captain of the USS Rudyerd Bay, CVE 81. The crew ordered the revolver for him when he retired. His widow gave the gun to a close friend of his after the Captain's death and he sold it because it made him sad each time he looked at it as it reminded him of this friend. Each cylinder of this revolver is also numbered. The revolver letters as it is shown except I changed the stocks from checked to plain. It has a serial number in the S277000 range and was shipped in March 1967.

44 Magnums that are engraved and inlaid with precious metals are very difficult to find.

The photo of the left side of the revolver was added. It shows the engraving and S&W logo on the left side of the frame. Also, note the larget SMITH & WESSON on the barrel. This roll mark was used at least from mid-1966 to early 1968 and is found in the serial number range S270000 to around S282000.

Bill

 

[Art Doc]

What was the purpose for stamping numbers over the chambers?

I see a gun like this, obviously very costly and prepared as an individual presentation (or self purchase) and I wonder how it winds up on the market. I can just imagine the post now: "I am new to this forum and I have this fancy gun my dad left me and I wonder what it's worth?"

 

[M29since14]

Interesting 29. Thanks for showing us.

Have to admit I am curious about the numbers too. The first thing that came to mind is that maybe he was used to those revolvers that the cylinder ran the wrong way and this was his method of keeping track of how many loaded rounds remained.

Very neat work with the precious metals.

EDIT: I said that wrong. I should have said, "...keeping track of how many rounds he had fired."

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Bill thanks for the photo's. This is the prettiest gun
I have ever seen. It has just the right amount of engraving.
In my opinion any more would be to much. Again thanks
for the post and pictures. Don

 

[Dan M]

She is a Beauty Bill,

It deserved to be in your collection thats for sure

thanks for sharing it

 

[bmhiii]

Bill,

Very nice revolver, thanks for sharing. Do you know the reasoning behind the number 106816 on the side?

Thanks,

Barry

 

[Doc44]

Barry...I was thinking the number is Captain Forrest's service number, but I may be completely wrong. I went into the Army in 1970 and your service number was your social security number by then, but prior to that, I remember a unique service number was issued.

Bill

 

[nosaintsfanatic]

Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pics & the story.

Chris
S&WCA#2122

 

[fyimo]

Wow is all I can say about that gun as it's beautiful with just the right amount of engraving like Don said.

 

[29aholic]

Beautiful

I didnt know rust pickers had that good of taste

As for the numbers on the cylinder it may have been to fire the gun in the exact same sequence every time. I have seen several shooters do this with revolvers.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Beautiful 29 !!! More pics with both sides please.

 

[redray]

It is a beautiful gun.

His widow gave the gun to a close friend of his after the Captain's death and he sold it because it made him sad each time he looked at it as it reminded him of this friend.

But a true friend wouldn't have sold the pistol after being GIVEN it to him by his BEST FRIEND'S WIDOW!

He was so sad that he made money off of it ??? I would have given it back to one of his best friend's children or grandchildren if he was so broken up by his BEST FRIEND'S DEATH, or at the very least, kept it in his memory.

 

[DWFAN]

Barry...I was thinking the number is Captain Forrest's service number, but I may be completely wrong. I went into the Army in 1970 and your service number was your social security number by then, but prior to that, I remember a unique service number was issued.

Bill

Bill, i joined the service in 1965 and my number was eight digits long excluding the prefix. Unless this gentleman had been around since the civil war I don't think it probable.
On a side note you most often only show one side of the gun. That's only a tease. A work of art should be shown completley.
Paul

 

[Grayfox]

Beautiful gun. Very tastefully engraved without over doing it.
29aholic may be correct about the chamber numbering. I've also seen target shooters do this in order to determine which chambers are most accurate.

I agree that one should not sell a gun left to them by a friend. I have a 29-8 that was left to me when a dear friend passed. Just a plain old standard model with lots of honest wear. Believe it or not, it was his daily carry gun. Each time I look at it or shoot it, I remember the good times we had together. This gun makes me smile.

 

[Doc44]

Paul...I thought the number was a little "short". I will post picture of the other side of the 29-2 tomorrow (but the right side is the best side).

Bill

 

[largecaliberman]

That's a beautiful piece. If I had one like it, I wouldn't even considering on firing it.

 

[medxam]

I have no idea how the military, especially the Navy, assigned serial numbers, but I was sworn into the USN Medical Corps in 1966 and my serial number was 716032 with a -2105 indicating the medical corps. I don't know when they changed to social security numbers. Your old number is just one of those things that you never forget. The numbers must not have been consecutively asigned or this guy was in the Revolutionary War.

 

[Dennis The B]

Until the switch to SSN's Naval officers used the six-digit number assigned by BuPers.

Enlisted also used up to a seven-digit number before moving to an ANNNNN configuration. About 1970 BuPers moved all personnel to SSN's. My original serial number was B287284, and I enlisted in USNR in 1968.

Captain Forrest's serial number would be consistent to one assigned during WWII.

However, USS Rudyerd Bay was decommissioned in 1946. Captain Forrest would have retired after 1957 for a "model numbered" .44 Magnum. The revolver shows gold wings of an aviator. Only aviators can command aircraft carriers. USS Rudyerd was a Casablanca class carrier.

 

[NavyFrank]

Aviator's Model 29

Doc nice revolver. I would guess that the number was the Captain's Naval Aviator's(Pilot) number. Early Navy pilot's were issued a seperate number on completion of training. Early Naval aviators were also USCG and USMC pilots lumped together. Frank Jr.

 

[Doc44]

Captain Forrest most likely was assigned to the Rudyerd Bay as a naval aviator in WW II. He did not command the ship as it sailed under the command of Captain C. S. Smiley. Assuming he retired in 1967, he would have had over twenty years of service (either active duty or reserve time). I will have to investigate further to try and "flesh out" his naval career.

Thanks for all of your inputs. They have been helpful.

This is what makes gun collecting fun for me.

Bill