Update...no longer a ghost 29-2

[JRB416]

Recently I requested historical letters for a four screw 44 Magnum and an early 29-2. Historian Mr. Mundell says the 29-2 is "open in the books". So I guess there are no factory records of this revolver.

Have any of you tried to letter one of your revolvers and found there are no factory records of its shipping date?

Would this have any effect on value?

Here's a photo of the revolver in question. It's a really nice one with proper presentation case and tools, including the long taper sight adjustment tool.

From the serial number I think it may be from 1963.

Thank you in advance for your input.
__________________________________________________________________________

An expert and member of this Forum has very generously done a deeper search of S&W invoices regarding this revolver.

The revolver in question was shipped to Dayton Gun Headquarters on May 3, 1963. It is listed as having an 8 3/8 inch barrel and blue finish.

So my 29-2 is no longer a mystery and I'm grateful to the person who did the research.

What a great Forum with a great bunch of individuals!!!

 

[JeffD607]

Have you ever heard the song "One Piece at a Time" by Johnny Cash? Maybe it applies to guns too!

 

[Beruisis]

Have you ever heard the song "One Piece at a Time" by Johnny Cash? Maybe it applies to guns too!

Yes, I have run across one of those before.
Beruisis

 

[murphydog]

I have one with the same (lack of) information in the letter. Perhaps it was loaned out as a demonstration or display gun, or someone just forgot to log the information back in the day of pen and paper records.

I suppose it matters if you are trying to verify the ship date/destination for a specific reason, but the existence of the gun itself seems not in doubt. Enjoy!

 

[A10]

Clearly your .44 has no value whatsoever. Send it to me and I will dispose of it properly.

 

[Doc44]

"Open on the books" appears in the shipping records occasionally. I have a 44 Magnum that is open on the books. Your Model 29-2 looks like a great example with correct accessories and clamshell case. The sight screwdriver you have first appeared in 1960 and was used through 1963. I don't believe the lack of a shipping record impacts the value of your Model 29-2.

Bill

 

[ralph7]

Do they refund your money for the letter in a case like this?

 

[Truckman]

I don't believe the lack of a shipping record impacts the value of your Model 29-2.

Bill

I agree, the lack of information can even heighten the desire for historical data...One of mine letters as having two barrel lengths before its initial shipping, and although it's verified to have returned to the mothership for a further barrel truncation, no invoice can be found to further pin it down...The mystery goes on......Ben

 

[Retired W4]

Regardless of the shipping history, or lack there of, that is a very nice, early 29-2.

 

[Seaburry]

Wouldn’t mind ghost like that in my gun safe! Very nice model 29 and the clam shell case is stunning.

 

[JRB416]

Do they refund your money for the letter in a case like this?

Yes, Mr Mundell said he will be sending a check.

 

[Abbynormal]

Could be a lunch box gun.

 

[StrawHat]

Do all the assembly numbers match?

Kevin

 

[JRB416]

Kevin, yes they do.

 

[StrawHat]

Kevin, yes they do.

So, not a lunch box revolver. “Open on the books” occasionally happens. The serial number is copied wrong, it is sent out as a salesman’s sample, and the other reasons mentioned. It could actually be an interesting study.

Kevin

 

[steelslaver]

I have a 45acp commercial model with the small trademark stamp on one side. Roy said it is open on the books among a page of Brazilians shipped to Brazil. I can only assume that someone wanted a 45 commercial, so one was plucked from a batch ready to become Brazilians, before they got the Brazilian crest stamped, stamped with the S&W logo and send to who ever and never written down

 

[JRB416]

Very nice and interesting revolver. Thanks for sharing.

 

[StrawHat]

I have a 45acp commercial model with the small trademark stamp on one side. Roy said it is open on the books among a page of Brazilians shipped to Brazil. I can only assume that someone wanted a 45 commercial, so one was plucked from a batch ready to become Brazilians, before they got the Brazilian crest stamped, stamped with the S&W logo and send to who ever and never written down…

Jim,

If it was among the 1937 shipment, the majority of those were Commercial 1917s. The Brazilian Seal and date were the only difference.

Kevin

 

[Model29-26.5]

Love the cokes