Recent purchase - S&W 29-2

[Top Gun Supply]

I recently picked up this very nice 29-2 4". It is an early 70's vintage. The bluing is so deep on this gun, it almost looks nickel in the picture.

 

[juneau803]

Wow, I love my 29. Your's is pinned too. Nice!!!!!

 

[BluesBear]

All 29-2 were pinned and recessed (except for the few teansition models which were only recessed).

Either the stocks are not original or the gun is older than you think.
S&W ran out of diamond stocks in 1968.
The serial number should be below #S306000 for the stocks to be correct.
The prefix changed from S to N in 1970 at #S333454

 

[Top Gun Supply]

BluesBear,

Good eye! Those are actually Eagle Heritage grips that I refinished and put on my "S" prefix M57. I used them for this picture because they just look better than the aftermarkets that were on it. In the meantime, I am searching for the correct grips for both guns. I think the M57 came with Cokes because it is a 64-65 vintage, but it is hard to find them for less than a house payment.

 

[mec]

I thought they looked like Eagle Heritage done right only the ones on your gun better than they are willing to send out.
Great job refinishing!

Also congratulations on one of history's best handguns

 

[.45&TKD]

pinned and recessed

How can you tell in the picture that it is pinned and recessed?

I would like to buy a M29 4 inch and I would like to know any other relevant things to look for.

 

[.45&TKD]

Also, how much did you pay?

Or, how much should I expect to pay for one?

 

[Standing Wolf]

How can you tell in the picture that it is pinned and recessed?

You can see the pin at the top of the frame just ahead of the cylinder. In the photograph above, you can't see that the chambers are recessed from the rear face of the cylinder—but it's a decidedly uncommon Smith & Wesson that was pinned, but not recessed or recesssed, but not pinned.

 

[BluesBear]

I have never seen a pinned but not recessed S&W Magnum that came that way from the factory.
But I have seen quite a few (and owned some) that were recessed but not pinned. They're called "Transition Models".
It seems S&W had a lot more cylinders on hand than barrels.

Here's mine.
.41 Magnum Model 57 (dash nothing) Transition - recessed but not pinned

.44 Magnum Model 629 (dash nothing) Transition - recessed but not pinned

 

[Top Gun Supply]

I would like to buy a M29 4 inch and I would like to know any other relevant things to look for.

It all really depends what you are looking for. Any of the Model 29's are nice guns. I like the older P&R'd revolvers with the 4" barrels. From what I have been seeing, anything in nice shape runs $500-600 plus for these models. Original grips, box, presentation case, paperwork and tools are all cost factors. The prices seem to be lower on the longer barreled guns.

This is my most recent obsession. I have been into the 1911's and other autoloaders for quite some time and now I've been bitten by the blued S&W bug. Now I'm looking for the right deal on an older Model 27.

 

[realmswalker]

How can you tell that they are recessed but not pinned, Is the cylinder set more rearward in the frame than a normal model?

 

[Top Gun Supply]

I thought they looked like Eagle Heritage done right only the ones on your gun better than they are willing to send out.
Great job refinishing!

Also congratulations on one of history's best handguns

Those were "select" but they looked like cheap chocolate colored plastic when I got them. I sanded them down, hit them with a little red dye to bring out the Rosewood grain, tung oiled them and installed S&W medallions. What is odd is that they fit my M57 great, but they won't quite close together on the 29. I guess there are slight frame tolerance variations. They are back on the 57 now.

 

[.45&TKD]

How can you tell that they are recessed but not pinned, Is the cylinder set more rearward in the frame than a normal model?

I'm still confused, too.

What's recessed and how can you tell?

You guys have given me the "29" bug. Between this and all the threads about inadequate stopping power for bears in most handgun calibers, now I need a .44 mag to round out my "assortment" (not big enough to call a collection, yet).

May as well buy a classic!

 

[Top Gun Supply]

"Recessed" means the cylinder chambers are counterbored so the round sits flush in the chamber. All you have to do is open the cylinder to see this.

 

[BullRock]

I swear my 29-2 has Colt action. Well, maybe one click short, but easy, smooth! This one is nickel and it's my best .44 Magnum.

 

[realmswalker]

standing wolf you said it was uncommon to have a smith and wesson that was pinned and and not recessed, or recessed and not pinned. did you mean all smiths or just model 29? I have my grandfathers S&W 6 inch .38 special that he was issued as a reserve for the la county sheriffs department. I believe it is a model 14.

 

[Rinspeed]

That is a very nice looking blaster you found there. I have been looking for a 29-2 4" for a little while now. The 4" ones seem a little scarce compared to the 6" ones. I have a 27-2 6" from the 60's and a 28-2 from the early 70's. Those old S&W revolvers are simply awesome.