S&W 29-2 4"

[LaConservationist]

What is something like this valued out? It is at least 97% and said to be manufactured around 1962. serial # is S231xxx

Thanks! LC


http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/6451/dsc02810tzt.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7991/dsc02811y.jpg

[yarro]

About 650-750. Though you sometimes find them for less, especially if the owner bought it long ago.

-yarro

[BUFF]

Front sight isn't original. Grips aren't, either. Ahrends?

Has the barrel been shortened to 4 inches? Measure it from the face of the cylinder.

S&W fans like the S-numbered Model 29's. Desirable sixgun.

[LaConservationist]

SKU: 150254
Model: 29
Caliber: .44MAG/.44SP
Capacity: 6 Rounds
Barrel Length: 4"
Front Sight: Red Ramp
Rear Sight: Micro Adjustable
Overall Length: 9 1/4"
Grip: Checkered Square Butt Walnut
Material: Carbon Steel
Finish: Bright Blue

Front and rear sights are original, 4" barrel is original, GRIPS are NOT original. Finish is original.

[BUFF]

The Model 29-2's left the factory with a Baughman ramped, serrrated front sight blade with a red insert, unless special ordered. Yours looks like a Patridge.

Whoever owned it before you took very good care of it. The 4 inch Model 29 was Elmer Keith's favorite handgun.

[Indycar]

You can contact S&W's history dept and for $50, they will research the s/n; for the date the gun was shipped, to what dealer/distributor, what options (if any) were on the gun and if it had been returned to the factory for recalls, repairs or any modifications. This is called by S&W collectors being "lettered"

[LaConservationist]

Indycar you are correct, I knew about this option which is the same as Colt and most major manufactures.

This is one of those that just does not have all the right stuff to be considered a collector since I don't have the original box, paper work or Hand Grips. It is also just not something I shoot.
I have thought about just putting it on the block over at that auction site and seeing what I can get for it.
Judging from what I have seen this being a "S" model 4" and the condition of this pistol I am guessing somewhere around the $800.00 mark.

Will decide soon.

LC

[aleph]

LC,

I agree with your estimate. that piece is one of the best 44's out there.
as far as the boxes and papers and collector stuff, the value of that stuff is not real to me. and like you said, the value in this thing is in its use. so if you dont have a use for it, or shoot it, maybe 800 is a bit high. it will depend on the state of mind of the buyer.
personally, i am biased, i would rather have the .44 than the 800.00
smith and wesson fans won't leave that thing out on the block for long .

i have seen the market confirm yarro's observations too.

[1911guy]

That is one nice looking Mod 29. I have a 24, 4" round butt. I really like the 4" big bore wheelguns. I had one like this one back in the 70's but traded it off. Wish I had kept it now.

[Jimi X.]

Originally posted by BUFF
Front sight isn't original.

Are you sure about that? I am the original owner of two Smith 27's, (.357 mag), and mine came with the Partridge sights in LaConservationist's photos. The .357, could be had with either the red ramp hunting sight, or the Partridge.

[Hoot G]

Patridge


:D

[LaConservationist]

Doesn't matter now, the 29-2 has been sold. When I spoke with Smith&Wesson they told me that the sight I discribed was an option back then BUT not standard. Without sending in the actual info she could not verify either way.

PS: The pistol sold for $850 to a very happy customer ;)

[BUFF]

Originally posted by Jimi X.:

"Are you sure about that? I am the original owner of two Smith 27's, (.357 mag), and mine came with the Partridge sights in LaConservationist's photos. The .357, could be had with either the red ramp hunting sight, or the Partridge."

Yes, I am. Red insert ramp front sight unless special ordered on all M-29-2's (and earlier S&W .44 Magnums).

The front sight varied from model to model, even on the N frames. Your .357's, for example, usually were shipped with a Baughman ramped front sight on 3-1/2, 4 and 5 inch guns. 6, 6-1/2 inch may have either but usually Patridges and 8-3/8 inchers had Patridges. Exceptions could be ordered or the gun returned to S&W's customer service folks for a change. The ease of swapping the front sight blades varied depending on whether the blade was pinned to the barrel (earlier guns) or was forged as a part of the barrel. In the latter case, the sight blade had to be ground off and a slot milled in the top of the barrel and/or sight base.

Later, S&W went back to pinned sight blades and still uses them on most revolvers.

I would have been very happy with that sixgun, too!

[MACV]

Originally posted by Jimi X.


Are you sure about that? I am the original owner of two Smith 27's, (.357 mag), and mine came with the Partridge sights in LaConservationist's photos. The .357, could be had with either the red ramp hunting sight, or the Partridge.

True. I have a 30 year old Mod 19 with the same "target" sights.