It depends on the policy in effect at the time your gun was made...unless a later policy supersedes it. For example, if the policy in effect when your gun was made was a one year warranty (for example) from the date of original purchase, then you have no valid claim. Not only are you out of the warranty period, you are not the original purchaser. Now, if S&W made the lifetime warranty that covers the handgun regardless of who owns it retroactive to all guns they had ever made, or back to a point in time that would have covered your revolver, then it would be covered...but if they put that policy in place in 1989 (or whenever) and for guns of that date and newer, then you are not covered.

The repair cost ($83) is very minor. I would pay it and be happy that they would agree to work on it. Some manufacturers won't even work on their older products, regardless of what you are willing to pay.