The Model 29-2 was introduced in late 1962 at approximately serial number S227200 and was made for approximately twenty years until the Model 29-3 was introduced in 1982. In 1979, the 6 1/2-inch barrel length was eliminated for this model when S&W standardized the barrel length for its N-frame revolvers at 4, 6, and 8 3/8-inches.
I have no idea how many were made, but I am reasonably sure the number of 29-2s made exceeds 100,000 units.
To clarify...S&W issued a directive on December 22, 1959 to change the thread direction on its revolvers from right-hand to left- hand and the -1 model variation was the result. The directive to implement the improved cylinder stop was issued on November 28, 1961 and resulted in the elimination of the cylinder stop plunger screw and the -2 model variation resulted. These changes were made for all S&W revolvers. The Model 29-1 is an anomaly in that all but two known have an old style extractor rod with a right-hand thread and a three screw frame. Two are "correctly configured" -1 revolvers with a 4-screw frame and an extractor rod with a left-hand thread. This situation has been discussed many times and there is really no good explanation about why it occurred except perhaps the Model 29 was not in production at the time many of the changes were first made and when the model came back into production S&W mixed and matched parts in order to use up the the inventory old extractor rods, but using the "new" 3-screw frames (resulting in -1 guns that have old and new features....maybe they are really "transition" Model 29s!??!).
Bill
