Smith & Wesson · Double-action revolver
Smith & Wesson Model 29 Value
The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a large N-frame double-action revolver chambered in .44 Magnum, introduced in the mid-1950s alongside the debut of the .44 Magnum cartridge itself. It gained substantial cultural visibility after being featured in the Dirty Harry film series, which brought widespread public attention to the model beyond the shooting community.
- Type
- Double-action revolver
- Production
- 1955 to the mid-1990s in classic form, with later reintroductions
- Maker
- Smith & Wesson
About the Smith & Wesson Model 29
The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a large N-frame double-action revolver chambered in .44 Magnum, introduced in the mid-1950s alongside the debut of the .44 Magnum cartridge itself. It gained substantial cultural visibility after being featured in the Dirty Harry film series, which brought widespread public attention to the model beyond the shooting community.
Early Model 29 production used Smith & Wesson's pre-lock hammer-forged construction with a distinctive polished blue finish, and the model was offered in several barrel lengths intended for hunting, handgun silhouette shooting, and general magnum revolver use. A nickel-plated version was also offered.
Because demand for the Model 29 spiked sharply after its film exposure, Smith & Wesson's production struggled to keep pace for a period, and collectors pay close attention to specific year-of-manufacture details when examining early examples.
Variations
Smith & Wesson Model 29 variations that matter
Configuration is often the difference between two otherwise identical examples.
Barrel lengths
The Model 29 was offered with 4-inch, 6.5-inch, and 8.375-inch barrels, each associated with different shooting purposes from concealment to long-range accuracy.
Finish options
Standard blued finish was most common, with a nickel-plated version also offered from the factory.
Model 29 Classic and later variants
Smith & Wesson later reintroduced Model 29 Classic versions with updated features including a factory-installed internal lock.
Pre-lock versus post-lock production
Guns produced before the early 2000s lack the internal lock mechanism found on later Smith & Wesson revolvers, a distinction collectors track closely.
Valuation
What affects Smith & Wesson Model 29 value
We do not publish a price chart. These are the characteristics that determine what a specific example evaluates at.
Factor 1
Pre-lock versus post-lock production
Pre-lock Model 29s, generally those made before the early 2000s, are considered separately from later production with the internal lock.
Factor 2
Barrel length
The 8.375-inch barrel and other less common lengths are treated as distinct configurations from the standard 6.5-inch and 4-inch guns.
Factor 3
Finish condition
Original polished blue or nickel finish condition, free of holster wear or refinishing, factors into any evaluation.
Factor 4
Year of manufacture
Because of documented production fluctuations following the model's rise in popularity, specific manufacture dates are of interest to collectors.
Factor 5
Originality of grips and sights
Factory wood grips and original adjustable sight components are weighed against aftermarket replacements.
Factor 6
Mechanical timing
Cylinder timing and lockup on the N-frame action are part of any thorough condition assessment.
Factor 7
Box and documentation
Original Smith & Wesson packaging, tools, and any historical letters add context during evaluation.
Smith & Wesson Model 29: common questions
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