Pinned and recessed cylinders are highly desirable. Model 29s or 29-2s Back in the early 80s and before they came with a beautiful mahogany box.
Many 44 mag variations are pinned and recessed and most, if not all had the 4in barrel available. The 5 screw and 4 screw pre 29s were P&R with 4in barrel as an option, as were 29 no dash guns, 29-1s and 29-2s. With the 29-3, S&W stopped both pinning and recessing. IIRC the barrel pinning was actually dropped first, but both were stopped close together.
Those wooden cases debuted in the mid to late 60s. There was another wood case used for a few years before then. The early 44 mags, from probably 1956 (start of production) to approx 1959 had black presentation cases. I know many of you cite 1955 as the first year for 44 magnums, but literally 1 1955 civilian production example was made in Dec 1955, and it went to someone within S&W. There were obviously some company prototypes made for testing purposes in the 1954/55 time frame. Regular production began in Jan 1956.
starting the search for a blued model 29 with a 4" barrel (I would consider a 5" but I have heard they are more rare).
Factory 5in guns before the 29-3s (I don't know 44 mags that well after 1980) are very scarce, and on the rare side for early 29 no dashes. They are collector's items and unless that is what you want, no need to consider those. I am sure many later guns have 5in barrels. If looking at a collectible 5in 44 mag (29-2 or prior) be sure it has a letter.
If I were you, and had thoughts of carrying a 4in S&W 44 magnum, I would look at a later one. Later ones have the advantage of the endurance package, which was a set of changes made to 29s and 629s which were intended to increase durability. I know they changed the lockwork, but I don't know specifically everything that was updated on those. Even 29-2s, in a 4in are collectable today. I suppose you could also get a worn 29-2 in 4in. IMO getting a exc condition 4in 29-2 and carrying it is a waste. They are a premium already, and carrying it will show. You can often get away with shooting a gun, and it not hurt the condition, but carrying is different. It does show.
IMHO, The older N frame Smiths were absolutely the finest double action revolvers in the world. Quality, fit, and finish is exceptional.
Consider the hand fitting of the past vs todays CNC technology.
I of course prefer vintage S&Ws but don't forget that the machines back then were less exact than later, which is why they had the so called "soft fitting" department. As the machines became more precise, hand fitting was much less needed than years before. In other words, they hand fitted the parts more so because it was necessary to at that time if you wanted a high quality revolver. With today's technology, hand fitting isn't necessary. Of course, we all like the hand fitting, all matching S&W revolvers, for various reasons. Many people think that the quality was more consistant at that time, but its not like S&W put junk out after that. FWIW, the soft fitting/serial numbered parts was done by 1958. My 1958 44 magnum doesn't have serialed parts. I of course would say its a high quality revolver, and many later guns from S&W are too.
