S&W N frame 44 mag date of birth

[HWooldridge]

I’m trying to determine if a Model 29 is C&R eligible; s/n is N336XXX. I think it’s from 1973 - a friend of mine is dating it closer to 1970. Does anyone here have the S&W serial number breakdown?

Original revolver and grips in the case with all tools present. Probably 95% condition but appears to have a narrow M28 style trigger.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[samari46]

Pretty sure that the shipping date is as close as you are going to get. At least what I've seen on the S&W forums. You could get a letter from Roy Jinks but it will run about $75. Frank

[hawkenhunter50]

I've used this as a reference. Only for my own use though, not as legal info. If it's correct looks like it would be 75-77.

https://www.northeastshooters.com/xen/threads/how-to-identify-date-a-s-w.68254/

[HWooldridge]

Probably need to get a letter ordered so we can know for sure. Might make a difference on the transfer regs.

[txbirdman]

I’d say it’s 1976.

[Rich/WIS]

The M29 I had was purchased in 1974 and was in the N126XXX range.

[HWooldridge]

I read a few links last night and it seems the public records are somewhat vague. I guess S&W wasn't extremely diligent over the years plus they made many models with multiple options. I want to get it right so we can decide if this is C&R or not - has to be 1972 or earlier to qualify.

[Murphy]

The information I have gathered over time, has that N frame serial number in the 1975-1977 range. Nothing is 100% without a letter from Roy Jinks when it comes to S&W's.

You can call the factory and with a little luck get the year of birth, just not the day & month or when it was shipped. Customer Service, dial them up and listen to the menu to decide which department would be your best chance at finding out. Here's their number 800-331-0852.

Murphy

[murf205]

The Standard Catalogue of Smith&Wesson says that the 300000 group of serial numbers were made in 1975 through 1976, like Murphy said. The N prefix started in 1969 with N1 and went through 1972. Then they started with N100000 in 1972. I am betting its not going to qualify for C&R but I don't blame you for wanting to be sure. Let us know what the factory tells you.

I sure did drop a zero or 2, thanks for the correction.

[rintinglen]

I think Murf205 dropped a couple of zeroes, the N300000 range was 1975-1976 manufacture, at least, that's what it says on page 398 of the 3rd edition of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. The N frame serials started at N1 on 1969, and had reached N100000 by 1972. the N200000 range spanned 1973-1974, possibly into early 1975. A letter will cost you a bit but will give you more precise info. However, getting to the core of the matter, your gun is still too new to be C&R.

[Shuz]

What is C&R?

[rintinglen]

Curio and relic (C&R) firearms are defined as firearms which are of special interest to collectors because they possess some qualities not ordinarily associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. A C&R license allows private citizens (in some states) to purchase eligible firearms and have them shipped directly, without stopping at an FFL holders business first.

[dswancutt]

One of the problems with Smith & Wesson's of this period and earlier is that S&W only recorded the S/N when the gun shipped, not when it was manufactured. With a Model 29, given the fact the the Dirty Harry movies had made them extremely popular, I suspect a that the build date and the ship date are fairly close. An unpopular model like a Model 58 may have lower S/N that your 29, but could have shipped much later.

[HWooldridge]

One of the problems with Smith & Wesson's of this period and earlier is that S&W only recorded the S/N when the gun shipped, not when it was manufactured. With a Model 29, given the fact the the Dirty Harry movies had made them extremely popular, I suspect a that the build date and the ship date are fairly close. An unpopular model like a Model 58 may have lower S/N that your 29, but could have shipped much later.

Good to know. I bought this one in ‘81 and Dirty Harry came out in ‘71. The previous owner had traded it at my LGS because of the recoil - I have no idea if he was the first owner. I used to carry and shoot it a lot but not so much anymore. An acquaintance showed some interest in buying it, which is why I was trying to determine C&R status.

[T-Bird]

Back then a lot of people bought mod 29s due to Dirty Harry, my best friend did. Most of them, his included, went into gun safes because of recoil. His is a 29-2 model. I later bought a 29-6 Classic that the previous owner hadn't shot enough for the blue to be off the front of the cylinder (it's off now!). When I began to shoot moderate cast loads in mine, my friend wanted to try them in his gun, and he loved them. He has killed a couple deer with it, his cousin also wants to try them in his gun. I'm trying to educate the masses! :)