Name that gun.

J

JRLaws

New member
My friend's coworker wants to sell his revolver.

Information I have at this point:
Smith & Wesson .44 mag.
Excelent condition, fired less than 200 times ever.
Purchased new in 1968 or 1969.
Stainless (I asked nickel, but my friend was sure of stainless).
Four inch barrel.

The gun's owner is going to call me Friday to give me the specifics and try to make a deal.
What do we have here and what might it be worth?

Thanks,
JRLaws
 
Sorry, according to my source (Supica & Nahas), the stainless .44 magnum (629) was not introduced until 1979. So, unless your friend's coworker had it chromed after buying it (in which case value would be about $350 and we stop right here), the only factory option would have been nickel. That is, if he's right about the purchase date. Open the cylinder and look at the area where the crane meets the frame. The model number should be stamped there. Maybe a partial serial number would be helpful (all but maybe the last 2 or 3 digits) in dating the gun. Pristine, with a tight lockup and no finish wear would probably fetch anywhere from $500-700 in this area. Model number should be somewhere around 29-2, btw. Chambers should be counterbored to enclose the case heads and the barrel should be pinned (famous pinned and recessed). Sounds like it could be a nice piece. Also note that the 29-2 had a heck of a long run (61-81 if I read the info correctly). These are pretty common, but fewer in pristine shape. Missing original accessories can dramatically subtract from the value. No box, papers, non-original grips would take the gun down below the base I suggested above (in my view of course).
 
Just finished looking

Found the same as Sothpaw.

If it is 1969 it would be a model 29,which was offered in nickle.

Stainless would be the 629 which did not come out until '79 with 100 preproduction units in '78

Prices on a 29 run between $200 and $500

629 between about $300 and $700

losely translated from the "Blue Book" from 2002
 
Thanks everybody.

My friend is sure of the date being around '68 or '69, so I guess it's either nickel or hard crome. Most likely nickel. He also said the gun looks "bran-new", with no signs of use.

The odds are good that I'll get a deal on it. The current owner picked it up for ~$300 last year as trade for a boat. :D

How well were these guns made? Could it serve as a shooter or should it just be put up and admired? I can't wait to get a look at it Friday, always wanted a S&W.

JRLaws
 
These are definitely well made revolvers. It should stand up admirably. N-frames of that era were exceptionally well crafted pieces. Keep in mind though it wasn't designed for some of the current 300 gr hellraiser buffalo bore loads. I think the original load as a 240 grain bullet, but I forget the velocity (want to say something like 1300 fps). Standard .44 magnum loads haven't changed much and this is what the gun was designed to handle. It'll last longer if light magnum (not necessarily light bullet) and .44 special loads are used (probably all you care to shoot). I just wonder if it was refinished. If you are just looking for a shooter, then nevermind. $300 would be a suspiciously good deal for a LN 29-2. Look up at Jim March's revolver checkout at the top of this forum. If it passes then you're set to go. The gun was made to shoot and definitely isn't a wall hanger (unless you determine it's in collectible condition, then I wouldn't shoot it a whole lot).
 
In the early '80's I purchased a Nickel plated model 29...after shooting it the chrome began flaking off around the cylinder...S&W re-finished it free and it was great after that...but it tooks months to have it returned. Just an FYI. I would NEVER buy another nickel plated gun if I was going to shoot it...they do look good though.
 
I have heard many refer to it as the finest gun S&W ever made.

I have no first hand so can't say.
 
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