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My first reaction was it was probably a Lew Horton special. That serial number is definitely something created for a special run. Since Horton says not theirs, the second possibility is it's a clean-up of parts gun. S&W is well-known for doing this in the last 30 to 40 years. This is the kind of thing that makes Supica and Nahas crazy.

Call Roy Jinks and talk it through with him. Good Luck.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

The AST s/n prefix is obviously special, so it's of no use for dating the gun with extrapolation. Why would S&W give a clean-up-of-parts gun a special s/n? Wouldn't that s/n imply it was some kind of distributor special order? S&W doesn't normal use special s/n's in casual ways.

It's not unusual for a -3 to be drilled and tapped. It does look a lot like an unmarked Mountain Gun. I've seen a few 103603's and they were all 3-inch guns like the SCoSW says. I've seen -3's with 1996 ship dates, but never as late as 1997. Very curious and interesting. Lots of questions.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I'm going to request a letter right away. Maybe Earl can do something with the info it provides. If it provides much at all.

If that has the glass bead finish, then it looks a whole lot like my 629-2 Mountain Revolver
(which is not marked in any special way) except for the thumb latch.

Please let us know what you find out.
Interesting revolver.
I believe I have a 696-1 that is a close-out parts bin special as it has features from a couple different models and a "sharp" rifled barrel.
As long as they shoot well ... what the heck!?

Attached Images

	MountainRevolver500GripsR800.jpg (263.8 KB, 258 views)
	MountainRevolver500GripsL800.jpg (272.9 KB, 271 views)

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NEMO
"Everything 44"

1997 is the first year for the -5, so I was more than a little surprised when S&W said this -3 was made then. Yes, lots of questions. Im hoping the collective knowledge here can help figure it out.

I cannot speak directly to the gun in question, but I know that S&W has done similar things. I have a Model 629-3 Carry Comp (or Mag Comp, they were called both.) The story I was told was that Lew Horton ordered a shipment of these guns during the time that the "-3" guns were in regular production. As this gun is an N frame with fixed sights it was a special run. Apparently S&W made more frames than Lew Horton ordered. Several years later the over run of frames was found and Lew Horton was offered these. Horton accepted and a second run was done of the 629-3 Carry Comps and released at the same time that S&W was regularly producing 629-5 guns.

Such a situation could explain why a "-3" gun (such as the gun in this thread) was shipped when "-5" guns were being built and shipped.

As I have learned, S&W never threw anything away.

I watched this on GB too. Glad you are researching it. Looking forward to seeing what it is. CONGRATS!!!

Just added more info to my original post. It's getting even more odd.

I'm far from an expert but that doesn't look kosher to me.

I've owned S&Ws since 1978 and I've never had one with what appears to be a mismatched crane like that. I just bought my last used gun off the 'net from anywhere but here.

Added the info from the S&W letter to my original post above.

Security Guards must need a serious hog leg in AK.

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Possum—The other white meat!

Northern Security Inc. is a police and shooters supply store. They apparently made a special order for these rather than to wait for more Mountain Guns to come out. There must have been a demand for them at the time. But only for 15.

When those bears and moose get drunk they can be a handfull!

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NEMO
"Everything 44"

I remember watching that auction on GB and noted that the gun looked like a Mtn Gun but was not marked as such......very interesting find you have there.

Thanks for sharing the background and the pics.

Congrats on getting a such a neat gun.


Don

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Laus Deo! <><

Since they were shipped to Alaska and have an "AST" prefix I wonder if they were associated to the Alaska State Troopers somehow.

There doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rules with S&W.
I have a 629-1 "Special Mountain Gun" (order code 103619) that is a special order "1 of 40" to RSR Group. It has a bead blast finish, tapered barrel, SQUARE BUTT (possibly the only square butt Mountain Guns) and smooth goncalo alves service grips. It letters to 1998. Go figure!

And looking at the cylinder, your 629-1 appears to have the endurance package.

You got it, robtom! I called Northern Security Inc. and they confirmed that it was a special order for the Alaska State Troopers. I'll add more to my original post to keep the info in one location.

That's a really cool story, I'm glad you did the research and now you know it wasn't a bubba frankengun.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

And I'm hoping this adds to the collective knowledge of the forum. Another gun to keep an eye out for.

I found the owner of AST0002. Here's his box label. (I added this info to my original post, too.)

Great story as well as detective work!

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I wonder if you could find out who this was assigned to and find out more of it's history. Maybe it was used to fight off a rabid grizzly bear or a drunk native American woman. Or vice-versa.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Edited with updated information on 10/1/17:

I stumbled across this thread while researching another S&W revolver. I am a former AST and own one of these revolvers. The history discussed here is fairly complete, but I will attempt to fill in, or clarify, the story. LT Hall was the Commander of the AST recruit academy in Sitka, AK. He retired in around 1998/99. He had a close working relationship with S&W, as did AST as an agency at that time. Prior to retiring, he convinced a S&W rep to do a special run of .44 mag Mountain Revolvers for the AST academy staff. The run was limited to 15 pieces. This number was set since that was all the NOS parts available, with which to build the pieces. The guns were put together from available spare parts, so could possibly have features from different eras and/or versions.

All guns were built in the same configuration, as a "mountain style" service revolver. The hammer and trigger shown in the photos on this forum are indicative of how all 15 guns were equipped. All guns came with Hogue grips. A unique serial number series was used for these revolvers, which consisted of a laser etched number on the bottom side of the frame top strap and on the bottom of the grip. SNs ran from 0000 to 0014. The 629s were not used, nor intended to be used, for duty purposes.

Northern Security did not order these revolvers for over the counter sale in their store. They were just the receiving transfer site since they were the Alaska S&W distributor. This was a deal worked out by the AST academy with S&W. I hope this contributes to the history of these very unique pieces. And by the way, I still carry mine in the bush and shoot it when the feeling arises.

Thanks for the input. Great info. The number on the bottom of the grip frame and the bottom of the top strap are the same on mine, AST0004, as shown in the pictures in my original post. Are you saying that yours has a different number at these two locations?

Yes, my serial number is 0007. They ran from 0000 to 0014. The intention was to continue future departmental service pistol orders with 0016, and on, which I do not believe happened.

Cool story!

I missed this post originally, Shark Bait I think you are confusing "Satin Finnish" with the hammer trigger when it is actually referring to the gun itself..( S&W referred to that style as Flash Chromed) ..being a late made gun most likely they used the hammer/triggers in current use at that time which were case color, (BTW there is a semi target hammer and a wide target hammer so might also be correct)
Interesting the factory called your trigger a smooth "target" trigger as IIRC it is usually referred to as a smooth "Combat" trigger...wondering how wide it measures ?

The 629-3 and 629-4 used different rear site units with the 629-3 having a longer rear leaf that is unique to that revision, ( Can you post a pic looking down from above to confirm this ?)

While the 629-2 Mountain Revolver frame topstrap edges were factory tapered to blend with its narrow barrel rib the 629-3 MG and 629-4 MG were apparently not .... Its hard to tell from your pic but wondering if your guns frame shoulders are square or tapered where they meet the barrel rib ?

Neat gun

So ya'll can visualize what Engine49guy is talking about here is a shot of the Mountain Revolver frame where it meets the barrel.
I don't see a bevel cut as obvious on the AST "mountain gun" of the OP.

Attached Images

MountainRevolverFrameBevel.jpg (61.1 KB, 107 views)

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NEMO
"Everything 44"

My AST gun is tapered as pictured in Nemo's post. I'll post better pictures tomorrow.

Here is a picture showing the top of my AST 629. It shows the taper and the -4 style rear sight. It appears to have a semi-target hammer and a combat trigger. The satin finish is the bead-blasted finish on the gun. The hammer and trigger are case hardened. Thanks to dlh0 I now know where 3 of these guns are.

Interesting that the factory letter specifies "target hammer & smooth target trigger".

REALLY nice piece (& better suited for field use as is) - regardless. Very envious...

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Regards - GCF

Shark Bait, from the additional photos and comparing your 629-3 AST to my 629-3 Mountain Gun notice the following:
1) Your rear site is the correct longer 629-3 rear site unit that is unique to that revision .
2) Your frame top strap shoulders are notched to mate to the narrow rib barrel where my 629-3 Mountain Gun is not.
3) Hammer is a Semi Target hammer like my 629-2 and 629-3 Mountain Guns (not a .500 wide Wide Target hammer ).

Wondering if your shell extractor star is the older round style or the newer square style (my guess is new square style).

1989 629-3 New rear site (drilled n tapped for scope mount), longer stop notches, bolt block (Endurance package) and fixed hand .

1993 629-4 , New rear site leaf, new extractor, Hogue grips, new thumb piece.

1996 Round butt only, blue plastic case.
1997 Change thumb piece, Master trigger lock shipped,
1997 629-5.

Interesting your 629-3 AST has the commercial Hogue grips as I would have expected the earlier style rubber Hogues with nickel S&W medallions...perhaps 1997 was the changing point?

Engine49guy, your input is always welcome and helpful info. Much appreciated! I'll check the extractor soon and post pics. This gun has been a fun S&W oddity to research.

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This is my kind of old thread! I would be glad to see this every day. Thanks for continuing to update.

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Possum—The other white meat!

So who received serial number 0000 ?

The guy I spoke with at Northern Security Inc. said he couldn't share the names of who bought each gun. I assume Lt Hall got the first one, but maybe not.

I emailed Jeff Hall this morning. I'm hoping he will be willing to share some details with me about these guns.

Jeff Hall told me that Jerry Smith, S&W Law Enforcement sales manager, kept #0000. Jeff had both #0001 and #0002, but has sold them both (unfortunately).

When my son was little and we saw our first moose, I said “the moose is on the loose!!” He laughed so hard he could not get his breath. He still chuckles (at 16 belly laughing in no longer cool) about it when I bring it up.

I also said once goose hunting “the geese are on the lease!” Than only got a mild reaction.

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Possum—The other white meat!

Did he know who bought your #0004?

He didn't know. He said a Fish & Wildlife trooper got one but he didn't provide a serial number. He did give me some info on who may have some of them now. More research to do.

I hope to have updates to the story of these 15 guns soon.

There was a creep named Michael Silka who drove to Manley Hot Springs and started shooting people to death as they came to the boat ramp. He murdered several residents of the area and even shot a man who was coming up to the boat ramp in his riverboat. Jeff Hall was one of the AST members who responded to the incident and he stopped the killer with his M-16, shooting from the helicopter. Trooper Duncan was seated next to him and was shot and killed by the suspect. 054 Jeff Hall and The Firefight at Manley Hot Springs - The ProArms Podcast

I can't remember the show , but they covered that incident . They went into detail about how hard it is to shoot from a helo , how you have to allow for the curve (?) between the helo and the ground . I don't remember if they mentioned trooper Duncan , but Jeff Hall finally got his man .

Very interesting story and 629 Mountain Gun. It's impressive how you have bird dogged this for several years. I didn't see the auction on GB (I was living in England at the time) Do you remember if there were a lot of bidders at the time due to unique S/N?

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Very cool thread...keep updates coming!!!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Surprisingly there was not much interest in it. I took a chance on it because of the Mountain Gun configuration and odd serial number. I guess I was lucky nobody else noticed it.

I made another post about my recent contact with Jeff, but I'll add the info to my original post here too.