"Pilot" Model 629

4472 Views 15 Replies 11 Participants Last post by nosaintsfanatic, Feb 24, 2009

Doc44

Discussion Starter · Feb 18, 2009

2

In the summer of 1978, S&W manufactured 139 "pilot" Model 629s to test the tooling for the new stainless revolver. All the units in this run have a serial number beginning with N629. The Model 629 shown below has serial number N629193 and is one of these pilot revolvers. It was kept in the factory collection until being sold at auction in 1996. The only difference between these pilot revolvers and the production revolvers is the early guns have a smooth trigger that is .500 inch wide and the production guns have a trigger that is .400 inch wide.

Second photo is of N777036, a fairly early production Model 629 that was shipped in September 1980.

Bill

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Gun 4 Fun

· #2 · Feb 18, 2009

As always Bill, those are simply beautiful! :ymapplause: :ymapplause:

WGlide90

· #3 · Feb 19, 2009

Bill,

Those 629s are great pieces of history. Do you know if the pilot guns you have were just for tooling testing or were they test shot and inspected or any durability testing and inspection?

Thanks for sharing these!

Dave

Cush

· #4 · Feb 19, 2009

Bill,

Nice guns and history as usual. Thanks for posting! Within the past year I had a chance to purchase a nice 629 no dash, but passed because of several machining marks on the frame right near the barrel. A product of Bangor Punta QA I suppose. :?

Hunter

· #5 · Feb 19, 2009

Awesome!! :ymapplause:

Doc44

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 19, 2009

Dave...the run was made to test the new tooling. I don't know if some of the guns were "tested" or not. I know quite a few were given to the engraving department and shipped as engraved guns at least through 2001 when the engraving department was closed down after Safe-T-Hammer bought S&W. At least one was engraved by Dominqos Joaquin at S&W and given as an award at an S&WCA annual meeting. The engraving department was only closed for a year or so and then reinstituted by S&W. I bought the last two engraved and gold inlaid Model 629s that S&W had from the pilot run. The one done by Wayne D'Angelo (N629187) is still in my collection. It was brightly polished and fitted with a case hardened target hammer and combat trigger and Nill stocks. It is shown below.

Bill

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Leighton

· #7 · Feb 19, 2009

Doc, Everytime you show your guns, mine run and hide in the safe! It won't be long and they will need a shrink!!

As always, very nice!!!

longarm

· #8 · Feb 20, 2009

Real beauties Doc!
It's interesting to me that they brought the smooth/wide trigger back in 1989 for the Classic Hunter series. I have a long barreled -2 gun that is outfitted that way.
Dan

WGlide90

· #9 · Feb 20, 2009

Thanks Bill,

Wow, That gold inlay and engraving is very classy. I like the gold front sight!

Anyway, I was curious about the "process" then for testing and failure mode analysis. I'm in Mfg Eng'g and QA and want to get in their heads so to speak at that time period of development and manufacturing.

Thanks,

Dave

vonfatman

· #10 · Feb 20, 2009

Thank you Doc. Great photos.

Bob

toroflow

· #11 · Feb 20, 2009

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Gun porn at its pinnacle!

bmcgilvray

· #12 · Feb 21, 2009

I dont' know which is best: the revolver, those finely figured grips, or the excellent photography.

nosaintsfanatic

· #13 · Feb 24, 2009

Doc, those are some beautiful guns. Thanks for the pics as always.

I am curious. What would be a fair price for a 4 in 629 no dash that is P&R with box & docs in excellent condition? Do the no dash models with the P&R usually run more than a -1 or -2? Please lmk. Thanks.

Chris

Doc44

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 24, 2009

The Model 629 is more collectible than the -1 or -2 model variations as collectors seem to like the "pinned and recessed" features. I am not very good about prices, but a nice 4-inch 629 with the presentation case would probably sell for at least $850 these days, and maybe more.

Bill

G

· #15 · Feb 24, 2009

Sir, that is a great gun, and as usual wonderful photography too! Thanks for sharing!

nosaintsfanatic

· #16 · Feb 24, 2009

Doc44 said:
The Model 629 is more collectible than the -1 or -2 model variations as collectors seem to like the "pinned and recessed" features. I am not very good about prices, but a nice 4-inch 629 with the presentation case would probably sell for at least $850 these days, and maybe more.

Bill

Thanks Bill. You are the expert & I appreciate your insight.

Chris

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