S&W Pre 29

[LightfootE]

Just trying to put my feelers out there to determine how much of a demand there is for one of these pistols.

I own a Pre 29 with 6.5" barrel and it is in nearly mint condition. No box and round count unknown but if its been fired at all it was very little. Has really nice rosewood coke grips. I attempted to post pics but couldn't figure it out.

I have a rough idea of what they go for (based on internet sales). Trying to decide weather or not now its a good time to sell it or hold on to it. I have no use for it because it is in too good of condition for me to go and monkey around with. I like it so much though that Id like to find a 29 or 29-2 thats already been played with and not such a collectible lol.

Im no Smith and Wesson expert, just looking for thoughts and opinions.

[Fatcat]

All pre-lock S&W revolvers have a collector’s market demand. IMO, the market is good for “self-defense” type firearms. S&W collectors are out there but looking for firesales. I see a lot of postings that sit forever w/o responses.
I’d wait until more people have money in their pockets to burn. Your revolver should retain its resale value.

[FeuerFrei]

I also have one and turned down offers of $2k for it. Handed down from me Pa. RIP

It's never seen magnum loads through it. 44 special and *wax loads.

*wax plug over a primed empty case. super quiet and good for 30' plinking with min wear on the gun.

[2761377]

Just trying to put my feelers out there to determine how much of a demand there is for one of these pistols.

Demand is soft right now.

I own a Pre 29 with 6.5" barrel and it is in nearly mint condition. No box and round count unknown but if its been fired at all it was very little. Has really nice rosewood coke grips. I attempted to post pics but couldn't figure it out.

To maximize your success online, you must figure out how to post quality images.

I have a rough idea of what they go for (based on internet sales). Trying to decide weather or not now its a good time to sell it or hold on to it. I have no use for it because it is in too good of condition for me to go and monkey around with. I like it so much though that Id like to find a 29 or 29-2 thats already been played with and not such a collectible lol.

In the long run you might as well just keep it and shoot it. It's value as a high condition original piece is already compromised by the lack of it's case. Combine that with the money you'd spend on a 29 or -1 plus your hassle.


Im no Smith and Wesson expert, just looking for thoughts and opinions.

HTH. That was my decision in your shoes 20 years ago.

[003]

Much depends on the age of the buyer, and of course their financial situation. If the buyer is old enough to remember who Dirty Harry was then they may be interested. Those that have come of age after pistols dominated the market not so much.

I have the same revolver, along with a 4 inch model. While I have never shot the 6 1/2 one, I would never part with it. I suspect you will need to find a serious collector of S&W revolvers.

At lease someone who understands the difference between a pre lock and a pre numbered revolver.

The good thing is that it is over 50 years old, so it can be easily sold in California.

[DrewN]

In the long run you might as well just keep it and shoot it. It's value as a high condition original piece is already compromised by the lack of it's case. Combine that with the money you'd spend on a 29 or -1 plus your hassle.


Good news is, it should still command a California premium. I'd think he could get $1500 easily, maybe even $1800. You'd end up paying that in transfer fees/shipping/auction fees etc if you tried to bring one in from a free state.

[still919]

The demand is always there for that platform. But unless you need cash now, I see no reason to sell it. Especially if you are already thinking of buying another that's in inferior condition. If you must, keep yours as is, and buy another. Definitely don't sell yours BEFORE ascertaining another...that's a recipe for regret.

[DrewN]

The demand is always there for that platform. But unless you need cash now, I see no reason to sell it. Especially if you are already thinking of buying another that's in inferior condition. If you must, keep yours as is, and buy another. Definitely don't sell yours BEFORE ascertaining another...that's a recipe for regret.

I'd seriously consider a 629 if I wanted a shooter shooter anyway. For some reason a nick or scratch on a SS gun elicits a shrug from me rather than abject horror.

[Fishslayer]

Im no Smith and Wesson expert, just looking for thoughts and opinions.

Just a guess but I wouldn't think that particular gun would be affected too much by the beer virus pricing. Whoever is wanting it will already pay a pretty hefty price.

A whole 'nother type of buyer from somebody looking for a plastic fantastic.

Pristine Cokes can go for $600-ish by themselves.

[DanGunner]

I had a pre-29 60 years ago, given to me by a roommate who couldn’t pay his share of the rent. It was in wooden presentation box with satin lining as I recall. I had it and shot it for a half-dozen years but sold it fir $115 when I needed the money. Oh well.

[Erion929]

This summer, I sold a 1958 Pre-29, 6.5” barrel, 4-screw, beautifully blued 95% condition, w/Coke grips for $3100.....it also had the original black wood box (though the box was in marginal condition)


.

[The Gleam]

The question, and even most of the resulting replies, seems to wish to frame this particular gun in comparison to any haberdashery's offering of any genre of guns, and that its potential for a sale, or the valuation therein, is solely dictated by the current environment of panic-purchasing plastic-fantastics and even whether it's pre-lock, post-lock, pseudo-lock, or even 'triple-lock'.

You can't even compare it to new renditions of the 29 as a tool for valuation - wholly different creatures. That would be like comparing a 2016 Corvette to a 1958 Corvette and trying to calculate the value of the '58 by the cost of the newer version. Not even relatable.

This is a gun that is mostly going to find affection with Smith collectors, who for the sake of keeping their pristine-with-box specimen every bit as virgin as they can, would just love to get their hands on a sans-box example that is otherwise in like new condition, just to have the grace and feel of that model as new, in their hands, at the range, to run it through its paces.

It would absolutely be a shooter, where others without the supporting collection of examples that are in mint-NIB condition, may wish to think it should remain a safe-tart.

Being pre-29 is quite a step better than simply being "pre-lock" merely because of plenty of Model 29s and later (so marked, and usually after about 1973) were high-volume production whereby they are only marginally more attractive than "post-lock" guns, except for some limited run examples (things like 3" barrels / 5" barrels / "Mountain" guns and Performance Center guns).

And from what I've seen, any twenty-something newb that is smitten with their newly produced Glock, HK, SIG, FN, Walther, Springfield, S&W, Canik, Hi-Point, whatever - has nothing but a look of fascination and awe when they are actually presented with and allowed to shoot, even if just hold, any early S&W or Colt revolvers circa 1973 and earlier. Pictures of guns on the internet, and seeing such creatures in person, no different than porn, is like a completely different experience.

The interest in N-Frame guns has never waned since the Triple-Lock, and that attraction shows no signs of ceasing. When people talk about a "market" for this gun and whether it exists or not, they either have no concept or experiential involvement in the collecting world of Smiths, or they're just talking out of their bung-hole because they see it as just another revolver that couldn't possible compare to nor have as much "market" interest as their Cajun Gun Works infused CZ-SP01.


No, this gun absolutely has a following, and its market interest has not changed a bit from the perspective of those who would be apt to buy such an example, in the past 30-years - minimum. There is just as much interest now in any Pre-29 model as there was 30 years ago, and then some.

Trust me. A bit interested myself - but to be honest, this sounds like something you should keep, and shoot.

"This is the one you've waited for."

[MountainLion]

This gun can be transferred easily within and into California: it is roster exempt. Therefore, there is no ethical issue with selling it outside the state, it can easily come back in. The value of this gun is probably mostly from being a collectible: the current production model of this exact gun retails for $1180 MSRP, and I would guess that one that old and in pristine condition will go for at least three times this.

If you want to sell it (which is purely your choice), I would not bring it to a local gun smith, or list it here, but first offer it to one of the big national auction houses, and see what they say. That's where serious collectible guns are bought and sold. Or at least find a dealer that specializes in older collectibles. If this thing sits in the local glass case next to a Hi-Point and a Glock 17, you're not going to find the right kind of buyer.

[sfe187]

Search/find out how to post detail pics and you'll get value quotes. Everyone seems value their guns nearly mint these days so who knows what you have (no offense).

[LightfootE]

This gun can be transferred easily within and into California: it is roster exempt. Therefore, there is no ethical issue with selling it outside the state, it can easily come back in. The value of this gun is probably mostly from being a collectible: the current production model of this exact gun retails for $1180 MSRP, and I would guess that one that old and in pristine condition will go for at least three times this.

If you want to sell it (which is purely your choice), I would not bring it to a local gun smith, or list it here, but first offer it to one of the big national auction houses, and see what they say. That's where serious collectible guns are bought and sold. Or at least find a dealer that specializes in older collectibles. If this thing sits in the local glass case next to a Hi-Point and a Glock 17, you're not going to find the right kind of buyer.

When I post it for sale, it will go in the calguns classifieds first. Hopefully a local S&W guy will see it. Id rather not deal with shipping and auctions