The original classic hunter was a 629-1/2 with non fluted cylinder, 6 inch full lugged barrel, black front ramp, hogue grips. 5000 were made in 1988.

They brought out 2500 8 3/8 inch models followed by 3200 3 inch models.

These were the original and first run.

They reintroduced the 6 inch 629 back again in 1991 with another limited run of 2000.

In 1998 they made a run of 5000 L frame 686 classic hunters in 6 inch.

Lew Horton contracted with SW to produce a run of 2000 .41 magnum classic hunters in 1991. The 657 had a 6.5 inch barrel.

An original run of 5000 610's were made in 1990-91.

In 1998 another run of 610's were offered. You can tell these by the laser logos instead of stamped.

So the name "classic hunter" was assigned to these specific guns/runs.