Value of pre-29

[Hutch]

An acquaintance has been given (not a typo) a pre-29, and needs to sell it for much needed capital. He is not an afficionado, and in this case, neither am I. He describes it thusly: "New, in the box, with original grips, un-turned, with all the stuff it came with, including the origninal bill of sale." It's described as a 6.5" barrel. He was not certain if it was a 4-screw or 5 screw variant.

I have several questions, but the meat of it is this: How much should I be willing to pay for this, if it is close to being as described? I don't want to chisel this young man, as he is a serving Marine and needs the money, but I don't want to over-pay, nor does he want me to.

Let us presume that it is in fact the original finish, in like-new condition, and the grips are new, un-marred Cokes, numbered to the gun, and the box is correct and in good condition as well.

All opinions welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Peter M. Eick]

If it is a pre-29 it would almost have to be a 5 screw. If he really has it as described it would be worth north of 3K if not significantly higher.

Go over to the S&W forum and post over there asking for help. There are some real pre-29 experts there that could help you out. I am a pre-27 fan so I tend to gloss over them.

Good luck.

 

[Hutch]

Thanks, Peter. I did just what you desribed prior to posting here, but I got no cred or record over there, and those guys scare <sniffle> me. My SCOSW tells me that there are more 4-screw pre-29's extant than 5-screw, fwiw. Since I oon't know which it is, I guess all ideas are welcome.

 

[Ala Dan]

Dang it Hutch my friend, you know that S&W pre-29 ain't worth much; that
is why you need to bring it too me, as I promise I will give it a lot of T-L-C~!

 

[rgm36]

pre-29

Hello; I am new here and saw this article about the pre29. I have been looking for one forever and would appreciate the chance to buy the one discribed. Will you please contact me. rgm36
[email protected]

 

[Standing Wolf]

If there's a small screw on the front of the trigger guard where it rejoins the frame, it's a five-screw model. Four-screw models don't have that small screw, but do have a screw on the right side near the rear sight. Three-screw models have neither of those, but one to secure the crane and front of the side plate, plus two more to secure the side plate behind the trigger.

 

[Shear_stress]

If there's a small screw on the front of the trigger guard where it rejoins the frame, it's a five-screw model. Four-screw models don't have that small screw, but do have a screw on the right side near the rear sight. Three-screw models have neither of those, but one to secure the crane and front of the side plate, plus two more to secure the side plate behind the trigger.

Not quite. Five-screw models have four side plate screws (including the screw by the rear sight) and one on the front of the trigger guard. Four-screw models have three side plate screws and one in front the trigger quard. Three screw-models just have the three side plate screws.

 

[Cop Bob]

When did they discontinue the 6.5" Barrel and go to a 6"?
I do not remember if the M-29 designation came before or after they discontinued the 6.5".

 

[Hutch]

Cop Bob, I think the change from 6.5 to 6 inch came in 1979, per a posting I read on the S&W collectors forum. This is well after the change to model number designations, which came in 1957