Hey guys I recently purchased a s&w revolver and I love it. The model is a 657-3 classic hunter with a 6.5 inch barrel with full underlug and a fluted cylinder. On the box under features it reads *SPECIAL*. What does this *SPECIAL* pertain to and when was this revolver made? Any help would be appreciated.

Welcome to the forum.
The M657-3 started about 1994 and the -4 came in 1997. I'm not sure about the Special part. Is there a product code on the box label?

product code 103958
special order 0001

The SCSW says 103958 is reported as Classic Hunter, fluted cylinder, 6.5" barrel, rubber grips, not verified. I do not know what the "Not verified" means but it does say the other Classic Hunters had unfluted cylinders. At least if I'm reading right.
Maybe one of the other members will know more.

I'd say we can now cross out "NOT" in "Not verified" in our copies of SCSW.
As far as the Spec order 0001, I was told that number is the manufacture date code with the first digit the year and last 3 the day in Julian format. But I doubt that this one was made on Jan 1 of 2000 or 1990.......

KO

There were at least 3 variations of a 657-3 hunter or light hunter 1 was for lew horton from the performance center and had a full lug barrel with removable compensator or cap end, 2 was from the performance center with a full lug barrel and a magna style porting, 3 was from the performance center for rsr and had the heavy hunter barrel that was magna style ported, all three had unfluted cylinders. I bought styles 2 and 3 in the late 90's and paid about $900.00 for each new