Smith model 29 wood presentation box

[tentcamper]

Today I came across this box, complete with paperwork from 1974ish. Very good condition. I searched for more info and all I come up with are google pics of blue interiors. Any information of this is greatly appreciated.

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[tentcamper]

More pics.

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[bigmuddy]

I’m certainly no expert, but the only box like that I have seen were first year (1964) Model 57 41 Magnums. I see the M29 paperwork.

My 1964 M57 has a box like yours and I was told they were from early 57’s. If someone here doesn’t know for sure the boys on the S&W forum will. Does it fit a 6” barrel or a 6 1/“?

Dan

[tentcamper]

Here is a model 57-6. Looks like a bit more room for barrel length.

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[contender]

If you don't want to keep the box,, I'd like one for my M-29.

[needsmostuff]

I've never seen one the liner was not blue .

[blackhawk44]

My 4" M29 from 1968 came in this wooden box but with a blue liner.

[bradshaw]

tentcamper.... all my Model 29’s came in the wood presentation case. The radish, strain grain resembles Mahogany. Included in the box were a manual, an aluminum cleaning rod, bore mop, and copper brush. The Model 29, and M-57 came in these boxes, of respective length for 4”, 6-1/2”, and 8-3/8” barrels. Don’t know when the practice ended.
David Bradshaw

[contender]

I would think that this box has had the liner replaced at some point. I too have only seen the blue liners.

[bradshaw]

Jul 17, 2024 8:46:22 GMT -5 contender said:

I would think that this box has had the liner replaced at some point. I too have only seen the blue liners.

*****

Interior of mid-1960’s boxes was styrofoam, sprayed with blue flock. The styrofoam was replaced, my guess around 1970, with a thin fragile sheet of plastic molded to hold revolver and accessories. The sheet plastic thing was coated with blue flock, also. This was under Bangor-Punta ownership. The wood box added class, everyone liked them. I’ve seen numerous liners made from foam rubber or foam plastic, covered with velvet or other cloth.

Bought my first M-29 in college. Retail was $140. The dealer, a sizable shop, old the 6-1/2” M-29 to me for $118, five skins over distributor. The Dirty Hairy thing hadn’t been invented. On a visit to the factory after the movie came out, the manager of law enforcement service told me, “All the cops think they’re going around in their underwear unless they have one of these.”

At the time the M-29, and then the M-57, retailed for $140, the M-27 .357 Mag retailed $125. With its tapered barrel and checkering of the topstrap and rear sight, along with barrel rib, the .357 Magnum looks more expensive to produce than the .44---or .41 Mag----with untapered barrel with serrated----not checkered----rib. Each represented fantastic drop forged, broach-rifled barrel making. Examples of crummy revolver making under the Bangor Punta gradually set in, and include revolvers shipped in the wood case; don’t judge this book by its cover, check the individual sixgun. My last M-29, a superb revolver in S&W nickel with 8-3/8” barrel, bought new from S&W, still had the micro-honed bore as evidenced on the lands, and came in the wood case. Date may have been as late as 1982, but may have been earlier. As I recall, the wood M-29 box was replaced by blue cardboard, with steel reinforced corners and silver lettering and "Bangor Punta.”

On the plus side, the cheap liners did not attract moisture.
David Bradshaw