Smith & Wesson S&W .44 Magnum Pre-Model 29 6.5″ Coke Bottle Revolver C&R
SOLD FOR: $2799
LSB#: 230131GW002
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: Pre-Model 29, Five Screw
Serial Number: S174355
Year of Manufacture: 1956-1957
Caliber: .44 Magnum
Action Type: Double and Single Action Six Shot Swing Out Cylinder Revolver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”. The butt of the grip frame, front face of the ejector, and yoke cut are marked with the serial number. The left side of the frame is marked with the S&W monogram logo and the right of the frame is marked with the four-line marcas registradas. The right of the barrel is marked “44 MAGNUM”. The yoke and yoke cut have assembly numbers. The sides of the grip frame have inspection marks.
Barrel Length: 6 1/2”, Pinned
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade with a red insert, it is set on a serrated ramped base integral to the serrated rib. The rear sight is an S&W micrometer click white outline square notch adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered “Coke Bottle” wood target stocks with a football cut, smooth diamonds, and S&W medallions. There is a crack on the bottom rear corner of the right panel. There is a chip loss on the front of the right panel at the very top. There are some scattered light handling marks. There are some areas of finish loss and thinning. The checkering is sharp. The grip rates in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In my opinion, this bore is a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is some erosion on the left side of the barrel at the muzzle. There are some scattered light marks. There is a patch of wear and finish loss on the left side of the frame in front of the cylinder stop bolster. There are scattered areas of bluing with variances in hue and there are other areas that are slightly brownish. There is a light turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The single-action trigger is crisp and the double-action smooth. The cylinder lockup has very little side-to-side play and no front-to-rear play on all six chambers. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a presentation case, mop, cleaning rod, and knurled screwdriver. The case has areas of discoloration and holes to the lining. A previous owner has written their name on the lining of the lid.
Our Assessment: Developed in a collaboration between Smith & Wesson and Remington with the input of big-bore handgun shooters including Elmer Keith, The .44 Magnum revolver and cartridge took the revolver world by storm in the 1950s, later to be known worldwide, even outside the firearms community, as “the most powerful handgun in the world” due to its portrayal in the Dirty Harry movies. This is Smith & Wesson’s famous “The .44 Magnum” built on a 4-screw square butt N-Frame paired with a 6 1/2? barrel. This revolver has a nice blued finish, with a wide serrated case-colored trigger and wide checkered hammer. The Smith & Wesson model number scheme was introduced in 1957, the Model 29 was not marked as such until 1958 (S&W Standard Catalog 4th Ed. pg 191). This one is a 5-screw model late in the range, the standard catalog states that the range for 5-screw models is S130000 to S167500 but 5-screw models have been seen as high as S174500. The standard catalog also states that the serial numbers were not marked on some of the parts of later 4-screws which would account for the lack of markings on this one since it just happens to be one of the few 5-screw models in the 4-screw range. This one looks great and has minimal wear. No collection is complete without a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum so you might as well make it this one. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red
