I just purchased a 657 3" stainless .41 mag. I believe it is a Lew Horton, how do I tell? It has a ported barrell and non forged hammer and trigger. It has the S & W / Horton grip's. The revolver is in excellent shape, but how can I find out if it is an authentic Lew Horton?

Thank,s
Brian

hi and welcome to the forum...simply email lew horton with the serial number...they can advise if they were the distributor

__________________
SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Here is one that I had S&W Class A Engrave for me:
BB

Buzzardbilly:
Now that is NICE!!!!! Beautiful!!!!!

Ported barrel does not sound like LH to me but I could be wrong. FWIW being a LH does not make it any more desirable than the same model with the same features, it just means that it was part of a batch that was distributed by Lou Horton. My feeling is that LH cursed us with 3" N frames, OK for 45 ACP or 10 MM but a 41 or 44 needs a 3 1/2" and full length ejector rod. YMMV.

m.

Thanks,
I will send in a letter to Lew horton to verify distributor.

WOW!! your engraved revolver is very nice, you dont want to trade now do you?? I will post responce from Lew Horton Letter.

Brasspoint,

See how Buzzardbilly's 657 has a full underlug ejector rod cover - a Lew Horton 657 would have that.

If it's one of the earlier 657 3" revolvers that were made around 1986, it would look like this one...



It has a old style ejector rod cover. These are not Lew Horton guns, but were made in limited numbers.

What does yours have?

In either case, I think the porting was added after it left the factory.

Take care,
Bob S.

It does have a full underlug ejector rod cover. I viewed the Lew Horton site, but was unable to find a link to ask a question or send an email. Maybe there is a Lew Horton expert on here that can help?? the serial number is ANE 51xx. I will take pictures tonight and post. The ported barrel does not have the small holes it has two cut out slits one on each side by end of barrell.

That sounds like aftermarket "Magna Port".

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Interesting.... the one I have pictured above is serial number ANE-46xx, and is from the earlier (non-Lew Horton) batch.

As a matter of fact, here is a copy of a S&W letter from someone trying to sell a 3" 657 on GB...



It says the earlier run went to ANE-5700

What does the model number on the frame say? Is it a 657 or a 657-(number here)

If it's the SN you say, it should have a ejector shroud like mine does - not one that goes all the way to the end of the barrel like BB's gun.

Another question - see how the roll marks for the caliber are centered on my barrel, (about half way from the frame to the muzzle) are they that way on yours?

As I said - interesting...

And if the porting is slits, it sounds like someone sent it to Magnaport to have them put in.

Take care,
Bob S.

Hmmm - I just thought of another answer - maybe this was a Magnoport Custom. Look here, and scoll down to
"Combat Mini .44 Magnum Conversion"

http://www.magnaport.com/conv.html

Maybe?

Thanks, that helped a bunch. The 657 advertised on GB is identical to mine. I was incorrect about the underlug for some reason. I just got home and cheked it out. My 657 is in way better condition than the one on GB. It has the same grips and factory labeling on frame. It must have been sent to magnaport for the custom work. Does this custom feature increase or decrease the value of my 657 no dash. I would say mine in in 98% condition on grips and finish I will post a pic tonight. Can someone tell me what a ball park value is on this revolver?? I also confirmed today over the phone that my revolver did not go to the Lew Horton Custom shop. This kinda made me angry, because it was sold to me as a Lew Horton.

No big deal on it not being a Lew Horton except for being lied to! I'm a little biased as I love .41 mags.

I personally would not take a dime less than $900.00 for my 3" 657. It's a great shooter and is my camping, hiking and winter concealed carry weapon.

__________________
V/R
Roger / SG

I was told my 6 1/2" 657 Classic Hunter was from a Hortons special run. I simply e-mailed Hortons with my serial number and asked if it was one of theirs. They confirmed it. Hortons commissioned special limited production runs from S&W. But not all were custom shop or performance center pieces.

I'm glad the info helped ID what you have.

1) While the Magnaporting is a addition that costs money to do, it lowers the collector value a good amount. How much will depend on the person wanting to buy it.

2) Don't go by the GB posting for value. He has had that same auction page up for over a month. it never gets a bid, and when it ends, he puts it up again. For some reason he thinks it's a "Special Order", when it's really a limited factory run. Since nobody is interested in buying it, his asking price does not show it's real value.

3) I agree his isn't in the best of shape - and if yours is better that's a plus. I paid $500.00 OTD about a month ago for mine - and most folks agree I got a very good deal. A really clean 657 no dash 3" I'd guess is in the $900-$1100 range - depending on things like original box, grips, etc.

4) Value of yours is kinda hard - since they are hard to find, someone that really wants it for a shooter may not care one way or the other about the porting. Someone looking for a minty factory gun for his collection, will not pay as much or maybe not be interested at all.

If it was me looking for a shooter, I'd say $700-800, but I have no use for a ported gun. ( I hate the muzzle blast they create)

See if you can take some good digital pictures of it and post them here - then folks can get a better idea of value.

Hope this helps,
Bob S.

(for some reason, I can't open your new post about your 657)

Here are some pics I just took. let me know what you think. The only reason I bought this revolver is because I thought it was a collector gun and it was sold to me as a LH. I should take it back to the shop I bought it from or see if I can trade towards a collector piece.

Attached Images

	DSC_4887B.jpg (21.7 KB, 251 views)
	DSC_4888B.jpg (28.1 KB, 220 views)
	DSC_4891B.jpg (21.7 KB, 182 views)

Well - it IS a collectable, since they are not very common. Only 5490 were made in this configuration from S&W.

But - it's NOT a Lew Horton 657 - there were far fewer of those made (if I remember correctly, only around 150 or so).

If you bought it as a collector/investment gun, you might want to reconsider. (not to offend, but if that is the case, I would suggest you study up on the things you invest in first)

The real questions are...

What did they charge you?

What do you want it for? (it might be a great shooter)

It's your call - I know others that would like a 3" 657 (depending on cost), so you might want to see if that is a better way to go if the gun isn't what you want.

Take care,
Bob S.

I have collected S&W and colts now for over a year now and have some fine guns in my collection. I was in a shop and didn't have any information about LH, I never owned one or studied up on one. I trusted this shop owner when he said it was a LH. I knew it was worth some money just being a 657 in a 3", I took a gamble and paid $ 650.00 plus 8.25% tax. How did I do?

I think that you did okay...I personally know of a buyer close to you who would like to have that gun at that price. PM me if you decide to sell locally.

ps....I have it's twin (without the porting) and I love it...shoot it, you may fall in love too.

I will fire it this weekend and see how it shoots. I would concider trades if there local to view. I would have to say the revolver is a good looking gun, looks like a powerhouse. I have a 29-2 8 3/4 and a 29-3 6" nickle, but this one looks tougher. Do you know how much it costs to magna port a 3" barrell?

I think you did OK - you'll probably never lose money on it, and since it's not a pristine gun, you can shoot it and have some fun with it.

If it doesn't make you happy to have, either take it back and see if they will credit you $650.00 towards something else (shops collect tax - it's not part of the value of the gun), or you can post it for sale here and see if anyone is interested.

Good luck - hope this helps,
Bob S.

According to this - $95.00 plus shipping...

Mag-na-port International--Porting Pricelist & Miscellaneous Services

Take care,
Bob S.

Thanks for the info. I still dont understand why somebody would magna port this revolver with such a limited run. I think I am going to keep it since I believe its worth more than I paid. Do you think I can find a factory replacement 3" barrell? To turn it back to factory form?

Magnaporting is done to tame recoil - and with full power 41 Mag. loads, this gun will Bark & Jump! When they did it, it might not have been a collectable - just a new gun that kicks. (I still wonder how many collectable baseball cards I destroyed as a kid - who knew?)

I doubt you'll be able to find a factory 3" barrel, but calling S&W to find out wouldn't be hard to do.

Take care,
Bob S.

I called S&W looking for a 3" barrel to swap out on one of my 6" 657's and they pretty much laughed....they have not had any since the early 90's (or so the cust service lady says). I suppose that you could get one from the performance shop, but it will be big $$$.

Shoot it with some 210 gr JSP loads from Remington, pricey, but doable in the 3". It acts about the same as my Mountain gun, and neither is as much punishment as my 340 with 125 gr Federal Hydra-Shoks. The grips have much to do with felt recoil. I am sure that someone would take those Combats off of your hands and you could get some nice Hogues for it (kidding, really, keep those grips, they have to be worth $100-150).

I bet after you shoot it, you will like it too much to let it go, but maybe I am wrong. If you do decide to sell, I have someone in Corsicana that may be interested.

I think you did fine. I'd buy it for that and I already have a 657-4 6-1/2" Classic Hunter II from LH.

$650 for one of these guns even Mag-Na-Ported is still below what many would pay. I bought my first one of these from Ashland in 1986 and over the years have had 5 more...the one I ended up keeping is well "used", later "Combat" grips and has been to Mag-Na-Port...and shoots GREAT.

One reason that so many people think that these guns and some 629s that were made about the same time, are from LH is because the first Combat Special Model 24 .44 Special that came out was from LH. It was followed the next year by the same in stainless (624) at a substantial increase in price.

The .41 came out after that and people just thought it was also a LH limited edition, but what it really was was just a uncatalogued limited edition that many distributors sold.

Bob