S&W Mod 29 "S" Frame Hammer Repair

[roninrlm]

Looking for help and information. I have a older Mod 29 "S" frame .44 mag that the hammer notch is broken. S&W tells me that it will not repair or replace the hammer because they do not service "Non-Current" model S&W's as mine is a "S" frame and not a current "N" frame.

Is there a difference between the S and N frame hammers?

Also, I have had Hammer notches fixed on old Colt SAA's---could the same processbe used to fix the Smith? Any ideas or suggestions

Ronin

Thanks for the help. The pistol is marked MOD 29-1, serial #S228760. The best I remember the (2) pistols were bought in the early 60's at Oshman's in Houston Texas. My Dad bought He and I each one---one 4" and one 6". I was told that the "S" frames were somewhat smaller than the "N" frame 29's as "N" frame grips will not fit my pistol--too large. REALLY want to get the .44 shooting again and a hammer is all that is stopping me.
THANKS------Ronin

 

[Old Fuff]

All of Smith & Wesson's Model 29 (.44 Magnum) revolvers were made on the company's N-frame (carbon steel, blued or nickel plated) or Model 629 (same but made from stainless steel). I suspect you may have the stainless version.

But anyway, it doesn't matter.

If you post the a partial serial number so we can better determine when your revolver was made, as well as the model and dash number that is usually stamped on the frame, under the barrel (you have to swing out the cylinder to see it) we can get more specific about hammers, but the main point is that a hammer made for any N-frame revolver (not just the model 29/629) should be close enough so that a qualified gunsmith could install it.

Additional note: Some early pre-model and model 29's had an "S" prefix in the serial number, but this does not denote the frame.

 

[JRH6856]

I don't think there ever was an "S frame". An S prefix was used on N frame serial #s in the '50s and '60s, then changed to an N prefix in 1968 or 69. AFAIK, all Model 29s are N frame, regardless of the prefix.

 

[NormB]

"S" prefixes were Pre- model 29 revolvers. I own several. I sent one back to S&W fifteen years ago for a broken hand and was told that was the LAST spare hand they had in their workshop. Most recently I've called and asked about having one worked on and yes, they said they'd do it but they don't have any spare parts, directing me to some guy named Bob, if I recall correctly...

Anyway, they're fun as hell to shoot. I also have a new stainless 329 PD hiviz model. Not so much fun to shoot, made of scandium and titanium alloys it weighs about half that of the one from 1956.

There ARE gunsmiths who rebuild COLT hammers when the safety notch breaks. Look around on the S&W forums and/or Colt forums and see if you can find someone who will do this for you.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jim K]

Try www.gunpartscorp.com/. They show Model 29 hammer assemblies and stripped hammers in stock. If the problem is only the notch, you can easily by a stripped hammer and install the old parts. FWIW, any N frame hammer of that era will work fine (e.g, a hammer for a Model 28).

Jim

 

[IraIII]

Try the Smith & Wesson forum, if you put a want to buy there you will be able to buy a replacement hammer. The S prefix n frames were the earlier ones, and the 29-1 models were very scarce, that is a very collectible revolver due to so few made. The values of the 29-1 versions are double to triple what the 29, and 29-2 versions are worth. The 29-1 were introduced in 1962, and were replaced by the 29-2, in late 1962.

 

[Old Fuff]

Posting the model and dash number does help, and the serial No. even more so. From here on out I have nothing but good news.

Your model 29 .44 Magnum was made during 1962, or less likely 1963. N-frame hammers from that era through the early 1990’s were all interchangeable between models, but sometimes required a little fitting. They’re were 3 styles that only varied between the size and shape of the cocking spur, and were generally described as:

Standard: .265” narrow hammer spur (same width as the hammer body).
Combat: .400” semi-wide hammer spur.
Target: .500” wide/longer hammer spur (standard on the model 29).

Numrich Gun Parts Corp. in W. Hurley, NY have used-but-functional hammers.
(http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers.htm). New ones are next to impossible to find.

You can buy either a complete hammer assembly with the internal parts, or a stripped hammer body and move those parts from the old to new hammer. If you do this be sure to buy a Hammer Nose Rivet (Hammer Nose = Firing Pin) because you will have to destroy the old one to seperate the firing pin from the hammer.

1160870 Hammer Assembly, Color Case Hardened (.500) $63.45

1160900 Hammer, Stripped, Color Case Hardened (.500) $33.75

358490C Hammer Nose Rivet, Blued $2.35


The above solutions would be far better (and likely less expensive) then trying to referbish the damaged original hammer.

The "S" prefix in the serial number denotes that it has a positive hammer block safety that was first introduced on K-frame revolvers in 1945. N-frame stocks should fit your frame unless it has been altered.