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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 04-21-2012, 04:59 AM
BUFF BUFF is offline
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Default SPECIAL MODEL 24-3 .44 SPECIALS

SCS&W III discusses that a small batch of the first of the Model 24-3's produced got special treatment. The first 100 Model 24-3's were factory engraved, with smooth walnut stocks with silver S&W medallions in the grips. 25 of the 100 engraved 24-3's were nickel finished instead of blued.

Anybody have one? Seen one? Seen a photo of one?
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Old 04-21-2012, 11:03 PM
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Anyone? (10 character minimun)
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Old 04-22-2012, 01:11 PM
deanodog deanodog is offline
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I have not heard of the model 24-3 engraved ones. I have a 21-4 that I bought during close out sale at Buds. I never could understand the lack of interest in the 21-4 models. I am on my third one and think they are great guns. I also am a big fan of the model 22-4s but they did not seem to go over too well either. The model 21-4 is like a model 10 on steroids with its tapered barrel, fixed sights and blue finish in 44 spl. The ones I have owned were excellent guns.

Last edited by deanodog; 04-22-2012 at 02:23 PM.
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Old 04-22-2012, 01:31 PM
ladder13 ladder13 is offline
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You mean 21-4 ? I'd like to find one in color case, missed out on them when they were available.
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Old 04-22-2012, 01:34 PM
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Never heard of a 24-1? Can you explain?

Dave
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Old 04-22-2012, 01:49 PM
deanodog deanodog is offline
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Sorry about that. A senior moment. I was talking about 21-4 and got my numbers mixed up. MY BAD!
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Old 04-22-2012, 02:25 PM
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I have a nickel model 24-3. It is a looker just as the 27 3 1/2'' in nickel is.
Mine was made up , not one of the original ones.

I suspect all of the original 24-3 specials are deep in the collections of
well ,,collectors.
There are many collectors who never venture onto this forum,
and whos collections never see the light of day.



Nickel 24-3 is in the middle.



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Old 02-05-2015, 07:48 PM
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Funny. I've suddenly gotten in a 44 special carry revolver mood. I rummaged through my safes and found a 21-4 and a 24-3. Problem for carry is -- both are blued. (Other problem for the 21-4 is the black front sight, which I may put orange polish on to make it useable). I've thought about having them hard chromed or otherwise rust-proofed, as even tho' that might hurt collector value, I could actually carry the things.
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Old 02-05-2015, 07:56 PM
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Why aren't we mentioning Lew Horton in this discussion? Those were great guns. My guess is those guns, and the generic guns that followed are all worth at least $1000. They carry fairly well. But then 100 years ago they were making 4" T/Ls that also did the job just fine.
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Old 02-06-2015, 07:23 AM
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My concern for using them for carry is rust, given the blueing.
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Old 02-06-2015, 07:37 AM
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I was a dealer when the first Combat Special Model 24 came out in 1986 and do remember seeing pictures of one of the first 100....I am not sure if I later saw one in person at one of the Dallas area gun shows or not but believe I did. IIRC there was not a lot of "engraving" but I think the sideplate was engraved with some sort of commemorative markings...it was a long time a go....

These were blue...I have never seen or heard of the nickel...

Bob

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Old 02-06-2015, 07:41 AM
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Quote:
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My concern for using them for carry is rust, given the blueing.
I carried a 24 CS on duty with Dallas PD for my last two years there...zero rust. I have carried a 1980 57 on and off since 1983...zero rust. Just wipe/spray it down with silicone spray every few days and there is no problem...

Bob
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Old 02-06-2015, 11:44 PM
gtoppcop gtoppcop is offline
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The 3-inch Model 24-3 is still on my "bucket list". I remember when G&A did the article on the Lew Horton guns when they hit the street in 1985. They were cool. If memory serves (it often doesn't any more), Lew Horton brought out the 624s in 1987.

The guns were great. I saw one about a week ago at my LGS. The shop was going to buy it from a man who was down on his luck. I guess the price they gave ($300) was too small. I would've bought it from the shop at any price!

As for the Model 21-4, I did one up for my live-in sister-in-law several years ago. She's damn good with it. It's cut for full moons by TK Custom. She has several full moons loaded with Speer 200gr GDHP.

I would lover to have one of the 3 or 4 inch 24-3s or 624s. Perfect revolver for anything needing shot.
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Old 02-07-2015, 12:17 AM
AKtinman AKtinman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFF View Post
SCS&W III discusses that a small batch of the first of the Model 24-3's produced got special treatment. The first 100 Model 24-3's were factory engraved, with smooth walnut stocks with silver S&W medallions in the grips. 25 of the 100 engraved 24-3's were nickel finished instead of blued.

Anybody have one? Seen one? Seen a photo of one?

Here's a photo of one of the 25 Nickel engraved, SN ABZ0133.


NO, it's not mine

I saw the advertisement for the gun about 5 years ago, and it was out of my price range.

Might still be out of my price range?
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Old 02-07-2015, 11:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFF View Post
SCS&W III discusses that a small batch of the first of the Model 24-3's produced got special treatment. The first 100 Model 24-3's were factory engraved, with smooth walnut stocks with silver S&W medallions in the grips. 25 of the 100 engraved 24-3's were nickel finished instead of blued.

Anybody have one? Seen one? Seen a photo of one?
I have seen one. It is blue. I have never seen one of the nickel versions.
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Old 02-08-2015, 12:48 AM
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Thumbs up M24-3s mmmmm

I lucked into buying one, long after I failed to get one on clearance. This pic is dated; it now wears a set of Spegels.






And I forget who posted this, but....


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Old 07-20-2017, 09:52 AM
Sgtratch Sgtratch is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFF View Post
SCS&W III discusses that a small batch of the first of the Model 24-3's produced got special treatment. The first 100 Model 24-3's were factory engraved, with smooth walnut stocks with silver S&W medallions in the grips. 25 of the 100 engraved 24-3's were nickel finished instead of blued.

Anybody have one? Seen one? Seen a photo of one?
I have on of those pistols. Smith and Wesson 44 special Model 24-3
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Old 07-20-2017, 10:41 AM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
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Welcome to the Forum.

We love pictures here! Please post some.
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Old 07-20-2017, 01:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AKtinman View Post
Here's a photo of one of the 25 Nickel engraved, SN ABZ0133.


NO, it's not mine

I saw the advertisement for the gun about 5 years ago, and it was out of my price range.

Might still be out of my price range?


Hell the picture is barely in my price rangeSPECIAL MODEL 24-3 .44 SPECIALS

I have a 24-3 purchased new in 1985.

As superman said, I stomped through the brush with it for 25 years in s Threepersons holster and thousands of rounds. The only blue loss is where you'd expect from normal use.

That's in Texas and I sweat. A LOT.

Used but not abusedSPECIAL MODEL 24-3 .44 SPECIALS
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Old 07-20-2017, 01:32 PM
moralem moralem is offline
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Here is a picture of my 24-2 and 624 Lew Horton's I also have two holsters that came with the 24-3. These are great guns and I have carried the stainless but it is not as easy to carry as my 66-2.

Last edited by moralem; 07-20-2017 at 01:33 PM.
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Old 07-21-2017, 08:53 AM
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Quote:
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Hell the picture is barely in my price rangeSPECIAL MODEL 24-3 .44 SPECIALS

I have a 24-3 purchased new in 1985.

As superman said, I stomped through the brush with it for 25 years in s Threepersons holster and thousands of rounds. The only blue loss is where you'd expect from normal use.

That's in Texas and I sweat. A LOT.

Used but not abusedSPECIAL MODEL 24-3 .44 SPECIALS






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Old 07-21-2017, 07:09 PM
old pipefitter old pipefitter is offline
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Default 24-3 Lew Horton

Ive never heard or seen those fancy 24-3 before. But I did score a plain jane Lew Horton 24-3 on gunbroker a few days ago I cant wait till it comes to my dealer so I can bring her home. Love those short barreled .44,s.
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Old 07-21-2017, 07:16 PM
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I'll just leave this right here:

Lew Horton 24-3 "1st 100"
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Old 07-21-2017, 08:45 PM
Drm50 Drm50 is offline
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I think back in the 60s the 29, 44mg overshadowed the 24s. The
magnum mania put them on the back burner. The 24-3 with 6"
barrel seems to balance better than a 29. Last few years I find
myself shooting 44sp & 45s a lot more than the magnums. The
24-3 with WCs is a fine bullseye gun.
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Old 07-21-2017, 09:51 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FiveG View Post
My concern for using them for carry is rust, given the blueing.
I've been carrying blued Smiths for over 40 years...Hunting/driving deer dogs/on the tractor/on the river and concealed....****st has never been a problem...I just wipe "em" down at the end of the day with an oily cloth.....
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Old 07-21-2017, 09:56 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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24-3's & 624's.......I've posted this before........Bought "em" when they first came out........
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