Smith & Wesson Model 29-2 .44 Magnum 8 3/8” Revolver, Blued, 1979–1980
SOLD FOR: $1,350.00
LSB#: LSB250824GS017
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 29-2
Serial Number: N666968
Year of Manufacture: 1979–1980 (S&W Standard Catalog) Modern
Caliber: .44 Magnum
Action Type: Double Action / Single Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON.” The right side is marked “44 MAGNUM.” The right side of the frame is marked with the four-line Marcas Registradas address. The left side of the frame shows the S&W trademark logo. The crane cut is marked “MOD. 29-2” with the serial number “N666968” stamped above.
Barrel Length: 8 3/8″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a red ramp blade on a serrated base. The rear sight is a square-notch micrometer-click adjustable leaf sight with a white outline.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The revolver wears checkered Goncalo Alves target stocks with football cutouts and S&W medallions. The grips fit well with light handling marks and crisp checkering.
Type of Finish: Factory Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. Light fouling is present in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, it rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 93% of its original blue finish. There are scattered light surface marks and faint turn wear on the cylinder. The high-polish blue still shows deep luster and mirror-like contrast. The screw heads are sharp, and all markings remain clear and legible. The revolver is mechanically sound with a tight lockup and excellent timing.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly in both single and double action. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment:
The Smith & Wesson Model 29-2 is the revolver that defined an era—an elegant powerhouse of blued steel and American bravado. Produced during the height of the “pinned and recessed” years, this variant represents the last of S&W’s old-world craftsmanship, with barrels pinned to the frame and recessed chambers that bespoke precision and pride.
Chambered in the mighty .44 Magnum, a cartridge born of Elmer Keith’s relentless experimentation in the 1950s, the Model 29 was originally the province of handgun enthusiasts and big-game hunters. Then came 1971—and Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry. When Inspector Harry Callahan leveled his long-barreled Model 29 at the screen and asked, “Do you feel lucky?”, the revolver transcended steel and walnut to become a symbol of raw authority and cinematic legend.
This example, dating to 1979–1980, captures that very image—the 8 3/8” barrel, red ramp front sight, white-outline rear, and mirror-polished blue finish that gleamed under the movie lights. It is a true icon of both firearm history and pop culture—proof that sometimes, the most powerful handgun in the world really can “make your day.”
KF
