The Ultimate piece of Eastwood memorabilia? Harry’s 44 Magnum comes up for Auction

The Ultimate piece of Eastwood memorabilia? Harry’s 44 Magnum comes up for Auction

I suppose if you had to pick something that was classed as the ultimate piece of Eastwood memorabilia, I’m pretty sure the list would probably contain either the Colt pistol from the Dollar movies, perhaps even the Poncho? But also, among the ‘dream’ selection must be one of the 44 Magnum pistols as used by Dirty Harry. 

Well, a couple of weeks back it was Davy Triumph who sent me a link to this rather special auction piece. The stuff of dreams maybe? But I’m afraid I will have to stick to my replica (which itself is some 26 years old now).

Here’s the information provided by Heritage Auctions:

"Go ahead, make my day."

Sudden Impact (Warner Bros., 1983), Clint Eastwood "Harry Callahan" Hero Smith & Wesson Model 29-2 Double Action Revolver. Few firearms in motion picture history command the same legendary status as Harry Callahan's (Clint Eastwood) Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum. Across the Dirty Harry franchise, the massive revolver became inseparable from Eastwood's iconic portrayal of hard-boiled Inspector Harry Callahan - the uncompromising San Francisco detective whose cold precision, steely confidence, and razor-sharp one-liners helped redefine the modern cinematic antihero. 

Offered here is an original hero Smith & Wesson Model 29-2 used by Eastwood in Sudden Impact, the fourth instalment in the landmark Dirty Harry series, and the film responsible for immortalizing one of the most quoted lines in cinema history: "Go ahead, make my day." Serial numbered S317983 on the frame and butt, this formidable .44 Magnum revolver represents the very embodiment of Harry Callahan's screen persona. During the film's unforgettable diner sequence, Callahan confronts a gang of armed robbers attempting a violent holdup. After dispatching several assailants, Harry levels his Model 29 at the final criminal - who has taken a terrified waitress hostage - and calmly delivers the line that would become permanently embedded in the cultural lexicon. The scene instantly entered cinematic history, transforming "Go ahead, make my day" into one of the defining catchphrases of the twentieth century and forever cementing the Smith & Wesson Model 29 as one of the most iconic firearms ever featured on screen. 

The revolver features a blued finish and is chambered in powerful .44 Magnum calibre with a 6.5" barrel, serrated fixed front sight, and micrometre-adjustable rear sight. Additional features include a case-hardened hammer, grooved trigger, Smith & Wesson trademark logo on the right side of the frame, and finely checkered walnut grip panels inset with S&W medallions. Heavy, elegant, and unmistakably imposing, the Model 29 became synonymous with the Dirty Harry franchise and remains among the most recognizable handguns in film history. 

The revolver is housed in an attractive fitted wood display case with green felt lining and accessories. Provenance: From The Planet Hollywood Collection; Profiles in History Icons & Legends of Hollywood Auction 103, June 5, 2018, Lot 998. Accompanied by a COA from Planet Hollywood bearing a facsimile signature of founder and CEO Robert Earl. Condition: Very good. Retaining approximately 94-96% finish with honest handling wear and scattered areas of extremely fine pitting. Faint tracking line to cylinder. Few minor dings and scuffs to wood. The action has been modified to cock but not fire, with an internal safety engaging when the hammer is cocked back. Strong bore. The display case exhibits expected staining and discoloration to the felt interior consistent with age and storage. Special shipping arrangements via a federal firearms licensed dealer will apply. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

The Auction, which finishes in 18 days, is currently at $31,000 w/ Buyer's Premium (BP) : $38,750.00. Next Bid Minimum: $32,000 (which is $40,000.00 w/ BP) – so, if you fancy an early Christmas present or thinking of simply re-mortgaging the family home – then have a go! 

If of course someone would like to buy this for the Archive to retain, then you have my deepest and most sincere gratitude and blessing… lol I’ll shut up now… 😄