Collector's ####

ModelPre29.jpg

Is it just the picture or is that really the bluest bluing imaginable? I saw a Colt Python for sale in Detroit that was about the same colour; finish as smooth as glass.
 
This four inch 5 screw Pre 29 would be my most valuable collectible, especially to American collectors. I have had it factory lettered and it was shipped to Longueuil,Quebec in March,1957.Estimates are that less than 500 four inch, 5 screw Pre 29 guns left the factory before the changeover to the four screw Model 29 later that year. I was fortunate to purchase it several years ago from another forum member.Unfortunately the factory case, tools and papers are long gone.


ModelPre29.jpg
Hello rfo1:
Now correct me if I'm wrong, which happens more then I'd care to admit, but
isn't the "S&W Model 29" the first .44 Mag revolver produced by Smith & Wesson?
I'm really not sure what you mean by "Pre 29", but wow your gun is
older then I am and my bluing isn't holding up nearly as well. :D
Another beautiful example of well cared for S&W craftsmanship. :rockOn:
 
358,my friend, S&W company did not number revolver frame makes, until 1957.
Such as the Heavy Duty, prior to '57, is refered to as the Pre-Model 20.
And the Model 29, prior to that date, as the Pre-Model 29, etc etc etc....
Before 1957, the Model 29 was just refered to as the .44 magnum, by S&W.
S&W records state, thier first .44 magnum revolver was made in 1955.
 
Thanks Brutus

358,my friend, S&W company did not number revolver frame makes, until 1957.
Such as the Heavy Duty, prior to '57, is refered to as the Pre-Model 20.
And the Model 29, prior to that date, as the Pre-Model 29, etc etc etc....
Before 1957, the Model 29 was just refered to as the .44 magnum, by S&W.
S&W records state, thier first .44 magnum revolver was made in 1955.
Brutus, buddy, you're a wealth of information, you should be the CGN's official
historian and keeper of arcane facts, because you really seem to have a handle
on all this stuff. Thanks for the info dude, I really do appreciate it.
 
358 BLR,
There's no such thing as a silly question. Smith and Wesson did not assign Model numbers to their revolvers until 1957. My gun was simply called "The .44 Magnum" when it was introduced in December, 1955. A lot of people refer to these transitional guns as "Pre 29s" during the period between 1955 and 1957. Hope this helps and good shooting.
Rick rfo1

Oops--I see that Brutus has explained this question previously--
 
S&W info....

No problem 358, I blame Silverback for my affliction for S&W products. RFO 1, that is one damn nice 44 you have there.
I am pretty darn sure, there are those here with much more sixgun knowledge than myself, here on CGN. I just cannot keep quiet.....:)

PS: May a medival pox infest you and your trigger finger, Fat Tony! ;)
 
I've got a few collectibles. This one is probably the one that most clearly fits in that category:

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I also have a VERY collectible Colt SAA that's for sale in the EE right now. The provenance of that piece would be interesting, I'm sure, as it comes from a 3-gun Colt commemorative set that was broken up at some point. See:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4057049#post4057049
 
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Is it just the picture or is that really the bluest bluing imaginable? I saw a Colt Python for sale in Detroit that was about the same colour; finish as smooth as glass.

I always thought that 'rfo1' must have a magic camera as he always manages to bring out the nicest features when he takes pics of his stuff... :p

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Here is my Smith & Wesson 586 no dash, it was made in 1984 and I bought it in January 1985. Though it isn't rare it is different because I bought it while in the Army in Lahr, West Germany so it has German proof stamps on the frame, barrel and cylinder. I wish I could take pictures half as good as rfo1 because the blueing on this revolver is awsome.

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straightshooter

Wow, that kind of makes mine look like a "flea bitten dung hill rat". It's
obviously a commemorative. So what's it commemorating, making mine look
like a "flea bitten dung hill rat"? :D
 
The Rod and Gun club on the base in Lahr got most of it's guns from the Americans and the German company Franconia. I would guess that this revolver was brought in through Franconia and hence the German proof testing. The Franconia catalog was a great wish book which we could order from through the Rod and Gun Club. Franconia is still around, I found the link.

http://www.frankonia.de/
 
Wow, that kind of makes mine look like a "flea bitten dung hill rat". It's
obviously a commemorative. So what's it commemorating, making mine look
like a "flea bitten dung hill rat"? :D

I'm not sure, to be truthful. I don't think it's a commemorative so much as a very high-end custom piece that (hopefully) was presented to someone important, or by someone important. I've tried a couple of times to get a letter from Colt's historical department, but each time they don't return my messages and I run out of cash, so I decide to wait until the next time. You see, the nicer the gun is, the more they charge for the letter. I estimate the letter for this one will be about $300 - $350 USD - I can't be sure until they quote me on it.

It's certainly a stunning piece and I'm priviledged to be her custodian for the time being. The engraving is "D" coverage (the most you can get from the Colt custom shop). More of interest, though, is that it doesn't match ANY of the engraving styles that you can order. It could be engraved by a famous engraver, for all I know.

What I can tell you is that pictures don't do it justice. The detail on the gold inlaid eagle can only be fully appreciated under magnification. For obvious reasons, I can't tell you the serial number, but it's obvious that it's unique as well.

Personally, I like my gun better than the one selected for the cover of R.L. Wilson's book "COLT, an American Legend. (I think tiffany grips are gross and I like the gold inlays on mine better).

One of these days, if I ever get a letter from Colt, I may have a story to tell to go along with the images. In the meantime, I can only conjure up fantasies an try to imagine the provenence of this interesting and unusual piece.
 
Wow, that kind of makes mine look like a "flea bitten dung hill rat". It's
obviously a commemorative. So what's it commemorating, making mine look
like a "flea bitten dung hill rat"? :D
Yes, maybe, but if I were you I would not sweat it......because your Model 64 is a nice shooter, in stainless steel to boot.
I myself have a few stainless sixshooters, and they have a class all of thier own IMHO.
Certainly Straitshooter's SAA Colt, takes the cake as a prized display gun!

Hey Silverback, nice S&W/Deutchland Magnum there! :cool:
Does it go bang in German?.......;) :)
 
well all i have is antique's so right now this is my best one.Hopkins & Allen Dictator .32 Long Rim Fire in mint shape. looks like new! to bad i need to sell it. :( my car broke down. and it is to cold out to walk to work.

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straightshooter

rfo1 also mentioned getting his "pre 29" factory lettered, so I started looking into it
and apparently S&W will do it for $50. Now I have to decide whether to do it or
not, maybe if they'll throw in an old factory box for my gun I'll go for it. (like
that'll ever happen) :D
 
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