Jim Hoag Custom S&W Pre-27 Model 29-2 .357 .44 Magnum Silhouette Revolvers

SOLD FOR: $5,204.00

WOA#: LSB240419HG008, LSB240419HG009

Make: Smith & Wesson, customized by Jim Hoag

Model: 29-2 (HG009), Pre-Model 27 (HG008), N-Frame Square Butt Revolvers

Serial Number: S299648 (HG009), S158961 (HG008)

Year of Manufacture: 1967 (HG009), 1956-1957 (HG008)

Caliber: .44 Magnum (HG009), .357 Magnum (HG008)

Action Type: 6-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Hand Ejected Revolvers.

Markings:
(HG009): The underside flat of the barrel is marked “J. HOAG”, the left side of the frame is marked “JIM HOAG / B-1967”, the right side of the frame is marked with the Marcas Registradas, the side plate has the S&W monogram logo. The left side of the grip frame is marked “o / | / 82939”, the butt is marked with the serial number, the right is marked “2”. The yoke is marked “82939 / K / A”, the cut is marked with the serial and model number. The rear of the cylinder, under the ejector star, is marked “299648”, as is the underside of the ejector rod. The grip panels have silver-colored S&W monogram logo medallions, the insides have “44 MAG / 6”, written in pencil. This revolver’s original barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON” on the left, “44 MAGNUM” on the right.

(HG008): The right side of the frame is marked with the Marcas Registradas, the side plate has the S&W monogram logo. The left side of the grip frame is marked “Y / E”, the butt is marked with the serial number, the right is marked “D / C / 3”. The yoke is marked “69463”, the cut is marked “69463 / Y / Z”, the rear face of the yoke is marked “158961”, as is the underside of the ejector star; the rear face of the cylinder, under the star, is marked “B”. The insides have “44 SPEC”, written in pencil. This revolver’s original barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON” on the left, “S.&W. .357 MAGNUM” on the right and “S 158961 B” in the ejector rod cut.

Barrel Length: Both revolvers feature pinned barrels; (HG009): 10”, recessed, with 1.09” muzzle diameter; the original barrel length was 6 1/2” with shrouded ejector rod and serrated, matte finished wide rib. (HG008): 9 3/4”, recessed, with 1.03” muzzle diameter; the original barrel was 5”, with a shrouded ejector rod and finely checkered solid rib.

Sights / Optics: The front sight on both pistols is a target ‘globe’-style silhouette target tube, which accept different inserts (11 extra inserts are provided, a mix of aperture, post, and one orange plastic aperture), both pistols currently have wide target-posts installed. The rear sight on both pistols is a flat top, square notched leaf, in a micrometer-click adjustable base.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips on both pistols are smooth dark walnut stocks with silver-colored S&W logo medallions; the medallions have some discoloration from age. Both sets of stocks have scattered light handling marks with a few infrequent instances of compression; HG009’s left panel has some deeper marks in the thumb groove. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Both pistols are Parkerized, with case colored wide serrated target triggers and wide checkered target hammers.

Finish Originality: Refinished after customization; the pistols were originally blue, evident by the original finish on the included original barrels.

Bore Condition: The bores of the installed barrels are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 10 out of 10.

The original barrel for HG009 is mostly bright with sharp rifling and a few spots of persistent fouling, rating 8 or 9 out of 10. The original barrel for HG008 is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, rating 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition:
(HG009): This handgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are some scattered light scuffs and scratches. The front sight has edge wear and some spots of oxidation at and around the base. The case colored hammer and trigger have nice hue and tone variation. The cylinder has a defined but shallow turn-line. The backstrap has handling wear and some minor oxidation. There is touched-up finish wear on each side of the frame between  the barrel and cylinder. The screw heads are generally sharp, the grip frame screw slot is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Very Good-plus condition as customized.

(HG008): This handgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The fine checkering on top of the frame and rear sight have infrequent minor surface oxidation. The cylinder has a shallow turn-line. There is infrequent minor oxidation, mostly on the backstrap and the rear of the hammer. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition as customized.

Mechanics:
(HG009): The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces only very light side to side play in full lockup with no measurable back play. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action is very light and crisp

(HG008): The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces mild play in full lockup. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action is light and crisp.

We did not fire these handguns. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included are both of the pistol’s original factory blued barrels, the additional sight inserts, and a custom wood display case, English-fit with green felt lining.

Our Assessment: This set was originally consigned directly by Jim Hoag with Lock, Stock and Barrel in 2016. Most fans of custom 1911s will be well familiar with Mr. Hoag, who unfortunately passed in April, 2020. A contemporary of luminaries such as Ron Lerch, Mike Dalton and Jeff Cooper, Hoag learned just about everything there is to know about the 1911 and could perform just about any modification you could want to a precision which is hard to fathom. While perhaps best known for his work on 1911s, that is not to say the Hoag was not able to bend his considerable talents to other platforms. This set of Smith & Wesson N-Frame square butt revolvers, one .357 and the other .44 Magnum, were configured by Hoag for silhouette shooting. Both are equipped with heavy bull barrels and globe front sights that take interchangeable inserts; the custom barrels have bright bores with sharp rifling and no erosion. The pistols have been parkerized, giving them a matte appearance which looks nice along with their dark walnut grips. The actions on both revolvers are very smooth with crisp trigger breaks. Included is a wood display case as well as the original barrels (with their original blued finishes) and 11 extra front sight inserts. These should make for quite an exceptional pair of silhouette guns, but are also a unique set directly from a true master gunsmith. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a personal Hoag set that has “competition ready” written all over it! Please see our pictures and good luck.

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud