Dirty Harry snag...righteous grips??? see post 13 for the rest of the story

[cmansguns]

Snagged a nice complete package on Model 29-2, 6-1/2", 44 Magnum with accessories also complete. Wooden presentation case (Type 4) with blue flocking mostly intact, SAT, mop and cleaning rod, and all documents underneath the fitted bottom (parts list, holster, ammo ads, warranty card, original vapor paper).

Going through the SCSW 4th, serial number puts it in 1977-1978, N439XXX and the gun has w/o rear, red ramp front sights, Target Trigger, Target Hammer, and smooth Target grips with silver washers, silver S&W medallions.

Everything believed righteous including the smooth (appear to be Goncalo Alves) wooden grips. I looked through Bill Cross/Roy Jinks excellent book on the 44 Magnum and sure enough there is one pictured (29-2) with factory supplied smooth wooden Targets.

Guess I'll have to Letter this one to be sure! Sure looks untouched for many decades and it was NOT stored in the case, so the flocking mostly survived.

 

[dobegrant]

Congratulations on a really nice acquisition

 

[Model29-26.5]

Gotta love that.
Well done!
First gun I owned and own is a Dirty Harry 6.5.
I love it. Pristine.
My favorite.. not to shoot.. that hurts, but to own and admire.
My favorite to shoot that give enough kick to feel serious is my 25-2 6.5. 45 ACP. Looks just like the 29 except for a slightly shorter cylinder

 

[CH4]

Very cool acquisition

 

[Pizza Bob]

Serial number also starts with N439XXX. I purchased this new in December 1977. I added the smooth target stocks - came with checkered GA targets.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Truckman]

The originals were long gone by the time I adopted this orphan...Luckily I had brand new unworn smoothies to adorn it......Ben

 

[A10]

Nice find! I really like the 6 1/2" barrel. They just look right.

I've owned a number of 29's, mostly -2s. I really think they are the pinnacle of the Smith & Wesson line.

 

[AveragEd]

If memory serves, those stocks were called "Presentation" by S&W which suggests to me that your gun might have been "presented" to someone as an award or something.

Ed

 

[rbmac52]

IMO the stocks on your gun were swapped out by a previous owner, however, as has been noted above, anything is possible with Smith & Wesson. If you letter the gun you might confirm one way or the other. Nice gun!

 

[Pizza Bob]

If memory serves, those stocks were called "Presentation" by S&W ...

I think they were called just smooth target stocks and could be purchased as an accessory.

Presentation stocks may have been smooth but the delineating factor was usually an additional cutaway to showcase a rollmark relevant to the reason for the commemorative/presentation. For Example...

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[REVCHARLIE]

"I know what you're thinking, did he fire 6 shots...or only 5?"

 

[DoubleNickel]

"I know what you're thinking, did he fire 6 shots...or only 5?"

“Hey…..I gots to know”

 

[cmansguns]

The rest of the story...Dirty Harry snag 2.0

Thanks for all the replies, comments and likes....I know you just don't see the decent ones come along everyday...at a price that doesn't include a pot full of fees and taxes.

Funny thing is I wasn't even looking but when I saw the condition, and then when the accessories came out and were complete, including the flocking which has always been (in my experience) the first thing to deteriorate and leave the case needing Joe Cebul's attention.

So here I am, ok for cash, trying not to drool, but I have to have a reason...because 4-1/2 years ago I was told by the doc to stop shooting magnums and sell them to stop the temptation to take em out for exercise. SWNF (She Who Never Forgets) will kill me if I come home with this beauty and do not have a valid, honest to goodness, first-class reason.

Yay, Hallelujah, Number 1 Son comes to mind and saves the day! When I sold all the Model 27-2's, the Model 28, and the Model 29-2 I had back in 2021...the only regret was years later (actually Thanksgiving week 2024) that Number 1 son and his family were over and he happened to say.." Hey Pop, sure wish you hadn't got rid of that 44 Magnum...I really would like to be able to say that I actually shot a 44 Magnum one time"

The above IS MY STORY and I am sticking to it....Son and I will head over to the range Thursday or Friday and touch off a few of those old 240 grain jacketed hollow points that I never found a buyer for.

Like Paul Harvey use to say.........Now you know the rest of the story!

And yes.......I probably overpaid (aka bought to early) but possibly another on the inheritance list, or if sold on this Forum like 4 years ago (but better flocking and accessories) I'll not lose anything.

 

[M29since14]

Model 29s work just fine with target loads. Unless the weight of holding the gun bothers your hands and wrists, I doubt the recoil from a light load of 231 with a 200 grain bullet will be much different than a .38 Special. Congratulations on your new revolver. Hope you and your son have a bunch of good times with your new .44.

 

[Model29-26.5]

So glad you got this one. This is “The one” as far as I’m concerned. It definitely led me into collecting/accumulating in a was I did not think I was capable

 

[PALADIN85020]

Here's mine. It was number one on my "must have" list quite a few years ago. It rests in a very nice display case today.

John


(Click for larger image)

 

[Repeater]

That sure is a purdy one!
Here's another: