Radagast
Member
hddeluxe:
The Model 29-3 .44 Magnum was manufactured from 1982 to 1987, when it was replaced by the Model 29-3E for Endurance package, designed to counter the problem some guns had of going out of time when shot with magnum loads.
Between 1982 & 1983 the serial number had an N prefix followed by a number in the 800000 or 900000 range. After that the serial number changed to a three letter prefix and a four numeral suffix, for example ABC1234.
If the letter A you quote is actually a poorly stamped N, then I would place your gun as being made in 1982 on one of the last N700000 range stamped frames. If it is definitely an A then it is not the serial number, it is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory and irrelevant once the gun is completed.
The serial number is sometimes duplicated on the frame in the cylinder yoke cut out, it is always stamped on the bottom of the grip frame; with target grips you may need to remove them to see the serial number.
Assembly numbers are often stamped in the cylinder yoke cut out, never on the bottom of the grip frame, although they can be found on the flats of the grip frame.
If you have a three letter prefix serial number, post it and I'll look up the date. If it is an N prefix serial number then 1982 is most likely.
The Model 29-3 .44 Magnum was manufactured from 1982 to 1987, when it was replaced by the Model 29-3E for Endurance package, designed to counter the problem some guns had of going out of time when shot with magnum loads.
Between 1982 & 1983 the serial number had an N prefix followed by a number in the 800000 or 900000 range. After that the serial number changed to a three letter prefix and a four numeral suffix, for example ABC1234.
If the letter A you quote is actually a poorly stamped N, then I would place your gun as being made in 1982 on one of the last N700000 range stamped frames. If it is definitely an A then it is not the serial number, it is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory and irrelevant once the gun is completed.
The serial number is sometimes duplicated on the frame in the cylinder yoke cut out, it is always stamped on the bottom of the grip frame; with target grips you may need to remove them to see the serial number.
Assembly numbers are often stamped in the cylinder yoke cut out, never on the bottom of the grip frame, although they can be found on the flats of the grip frame.
If you have a three letter prefix serial number, post it and I'll look up the date. If it is an N prefix serial number then 1982 is most likely.