Posted: 11/13/2009 6:07:02 PM EDT
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I've had one of these for a very long time (it was a Dirty Harry thing) are they good, bad, they surly aren't ugly. I don't know anything about it, tell me about them if you will
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Pics if you got 'em. That always helps some. Quick and dirty from the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson: (this is actually for the model-marked Model 29, but it gives a little background) Introduced in December of 1955; double action revolver built on the square butt N tagrte frame with five screws; 4", 6-1/2", or 8-3/8" (5 " and 5-1/2" rare) pinned barrels were available with a shrouded extractor rod. Blue or nickel finish, 1/8" red ramp front sight with white outline micrometer click rear sight blade. Originall shipped in a navy blue/dark blue pebble grain leatherette presentation case with a slide lock and later changed to blue/black smooth-grain case. Original production with six-groove serrated backstrap and forestrap, later changed to the 10 groove, 6 shot fluted and counterbored cylinder with a nominal length of 1.74". Oversize walnut rear stocks with S&W medallions and diamond around the screw escutcheon, .500" target hammer with a .400" or .500" target trigger. 6500 were manufactured with a four-screw sideplate in a serial number range of S130000-S167500 and are classified as Curios and Relics. Now, the 4 screw guns began in September of 1956, none shipped until 1957. By "shooting loose", I mean that excessive pressure can peen the lockwork of the gun, causing slop or play in the cylinder when the gun is locked up (cocked). Further use of heavy loads can exacerbate this condition, until the cylinder will eventually not line up with the barrel perfectly, if not corrected. What you own is a piece of history, valuable to people like me. Elmer Keith brought about the production of the .44 Magnum by 20+ years of griping and complaining to anybody in the industry who would listen. Finally, in 1955, Remington said that they would produce ammunition for the gun if S&W would make the gun. S&W said they'd produce the gun if Remington would make the ammunition. A few weeks of brainstorming, and we have the first .44 Magnum, appropriately named by S&W as (what else?) the .44 Magnum. Model numbers weren't used until 1957. Those like me who are disciples of Elmer Keith recognize this as a great step forward for handgunners. And because everybody likes pictures, here's a very similar gun to that very first .44 Magnum, just about 37 years newer. 
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edit: for my mistake on serial #
wow great info thank you here's some pics of N S 177xxx it does not have the model 29 designation the barrel is 6 inch maybe 6.25 depending where I measure from and is pinned, I do have the original grips, but unfortunately not the original box it came in. Now knowing I own a piece of S&W history,of course curiosity kicks in and am wondering approx value 
Thanks again for the info 
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mdw, you might want to go to the Smith and Wesson forum to do some reading on your Pre-model 29. If you have the original grips and based on the condition, your revolver is worth at least $1000 and maybe a little more. If you search on gunbroker.com for pre-29 you will find several guns like yours for sale right now. Here is a link to a good article written about the second year of production. Based on your serial number, your gun was probably manufactured in 1957 or 1958.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/blogs/doc44/9-44-magnum-second-year-1957.html |
I have a pre 29 5 screw in about 98% or better with the original "Coke Bottle" grips. I also have a few N frames with grips that look exactly like yours. I have the original box for my pre 29. It's just a plain dark blue or black box with 44 MAGNUM on the top. The blue material liner has come loose but it's not torn. These guns are more than just shooters to me but I'm tempted. The original owner traded it in and from it looks as if he fired very few rounds thru it..........which was fairly common when new owners of a 44 fired the first few rounds and felt the numbing recoil that first time 44 mag. shooters frequently experience. I have 2 629s for shooting.
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Quoted:
My 1958, I try not to shoot it very much. I have thousands of .44 componets so I bought Marlin lever gun to blast with. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/akethan/pix521825968-1.jpg How did you get the letter from S&W? |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
My 1958, I try not to shoot it very much. I have thousands of .44 componets so I bought Marlin lever gun to blast with. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/akethan/pix521825968-1.jpg How did you get the letter from S&W? I bought it with the Jinks letter. Part of the reason I bought this one. S&W has/had a historical dept. Contact them and for a little dough they will research your firearm and send you docs. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
My 1958, I try not to shoot it very much. I have thousands of .44 componets so I bought Marlin lever gun to blast with. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/akethan/pix521825968-1.jpg How did you get the letter from S&W? Roy Jinks, the S&W factory historian. Contact info is on the website. Cost went up to $50 per gun/letter. |
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Quoted: My 1958, I try not to shoot it very much. I have thousands of .44 componets so I bought Marlin lever gun to blast with. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/akethan/pix521825968-1.jpg I've seen lots of pre-29s, so those are nothing big to me, but those grips are magnificent. The checkering field is huge and looks terrific and the grain is the beautiful outstanding-yet-subdued look that I have come to love. Man, oh man, do I want! 
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