S&W 686 2-1/2" no dash info

[.257roberts]

I have a chance at a 686 no dash with a 2-1/2" barrel and was wondering if someone could provide year of production. Serial number ALW0XXX. It does have the M stamped above the 686. Were these Lew Horton special orders? Any information would be helpful..

First time poster but many time reader!!!

[murphydog]

Welcome (to posting)! The prefix is from late 1985 to early 1986 but the regular production 2.5" model 686 looks to be from 1990, so a special distributor order is possible. Either a letter of authenticity from the S & W Historical Foundation or a call to Lew Horton (who are apparently very accommodating with requests like this) would be needed to confirm. Hope this is helpful.

[.257roberts]

Alan,

Thank you for the great information.. I will give Lew Horton a call on Monday morning.

Kent

[Kernel Crittenden]

I'd put the likely ship date in......

June of 1987.

Will be interesting to see what LH says.

[.257roberts]

Thank you for the information.. I will post what I find out.

[StakeOut]

Lew Horton had a 2.5" no dash 686 in 1984 limited production run of 2500 product code 104212

[.257roberts]

Got some helpful information back from Lew Horton. S&W model 686 (S&W #104212) a LH Special Edition is one of 6000 produced and delivered from 1983 to 1985 with some stragglers in as late as 1987. The serial number I am looking at was delivered in June of 1986.
Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information!!!