Smith & Wesson 29-2 .44 Magnum 6 1/2” Blued DA/SA Revolver MFD 1979–1980
SOLD FOR: $1,425.00
LSB#: LSB250809BK001
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 29-2
Serial Number: N69381
Year of Manufacture: 1969–1972 (S&W Standard Catalog, early N-prefix range) 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 of the barrel is marked “44 MAGNUM.” The right side of the frame bears the four-line Marcas Registradas address, and the left side shows the S&W trade logo. The crane cut is marked “MOD. 29-2” and stamped with the serial number “N69381.”
Barrel Length: 6 1/2″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a red ramp blade on a serrated base, and the rear sight is a fully adjustable square-notch sight with a white outline.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The revolver wears factory Goncalo Alves target stocks with silver S&W medallions. The grips show light compressions and small marks along the butt and edges, with crisp checkering and excellent fit. The wood retains its factory finish and presents well overall.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.8/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains approximately 93% of its original blue finish. There is light muzzle wear, a faint cylinder drag line, and minor thinning at the high points and trigger guard. The frame retains a rich, high-polish blue that exemplifies the fine finishing work of early 1970s Smith & Wesson production. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable, and all markings remain crisp and legible.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly in both double and single action. Timing and lock-up are solid, and the trigger pull is smooth and consistent. 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:
This Smith & Wesson Model 29-2 is an early N-prefix example, manufactured during the transitional years of 1969–1972, just after the end of the S-series guns. These revolvers mark the height of S&W’s traditional craftsmanship, retaining the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder that collectors prize today. The deep blue finish and precise polish characteristic of this period were hallmarks of the company’s best work, unmatched by later production standards.
The Model 29 owes much of its fame to both Elmer Keith’s ballistic innovation and Clint Eastwood’s portrayal of Inspector “Dirty Harry” Callahan, whose use of the 6 1/2-inch .44 Magnum on screen made it a cultural icon. This particular configuration — with the long barrel, bright ramp sight, and early N-prefix serial — represents the revolver at its purest and most desirable form.
The .44 Magnum cartridge, introduced in 1955, set a new benchmark for handgun power and accuracy. Paired with the solid N-frame and the refined balance of the 6 1/2-inch barrel, it offered both manageable recoil and precision accuracy. This revolver is a classic of its era — beautifully built, powerful, and deeply emblematic of American revolver design at its zenith.
KF
