I traded for a Model 24-3 Serial # AEM75XX and I'm trying to figure out exactly what it is. I am thinking it is a Lew Horton but not sure. What is the DOB and what grips are they fitted with from the factory?

Thanks

Mark

My 4" and 6 1/2" 24-3's both have AMZ prefixes in the serial numbers. I'm curious to know it the Lew Hortons were different but assume the were. Your gun must have the round butt and short barrel. Wait for the experts.

The Lew Hortons are the 3" round butted guns.

The 4" and 6 1/2" square butt revolvers are the ones that Sketter skelton worked out with S&W for the reintroduction of the 44 Special so that guys could actually afoord a S&W 44 Special as the original 24s and pre 24s were spendy even back then.

RWT

Wyatt,
I don't know about the 24-3 prefixes but
the Lou Horton 624s were recalled. Here's the factory information which lists the prefixes:

624/629 Cylinder Recall

The Skeeter Skelton article in the October 1985 issue of Shooting Times magazine stated: "A steel supplier has just advised Smith & Wesson that they shipped a very small quantity of incorrect stainless steel material (11 bars) to us that was not in accordance with their certifications. The incorrect material was used in the cylinders for some large-frame stainless-steel revolvers, Model Numbers 624 (.44 Special) and 629 (.44 Magnum). The approximately 500 units containing this material were shipped from Smith & Wesson between January 1, 1985 and June 8, 1985.

Skeeter goes on to say that the bad cylinder steel caused the recall of about 21,000 guns to find 500 with improper steel.

The serial number range includes:

ADXXXX
AEXXXX
AFXXXX
AGXXXX
AHXXXX
ALVXXX (the “V” is not a typo)
N910000 thru N953000

The cylinder has to be checked on these handguns and the only way to know is by checking the full serial number against their records.
If a handgun in the recalled range has already been returned to the factory for testing, a red letter “C” that is circled will be stamped on the box label, indicating that the gun passed re-inspection. No marks are made on the cylinder of checked guns, only the red “C” in the circle stamped on the box label.

If your gun is within this range and you do not have a box or know for certain that it has been tested, you should contact Smith & Wesson. S&W’s records prior to 1986 are not computerized, so it takes them a l ittle longer to look up the particulars.

You can E-mail your gun’s serial number to: [email protected]. S&W will contact you regarding the status of your particular gun. If your gun is included in the recall, you'll be sent a prepaid FedEx label and shipping instructions. While E-mail is best, you may also call S&W Customer Support at 1-800-331-0852.

Recalled cylinders are tested by magnafluxing. If your recalled gun does fail, there are no replacement cylinders. S&W will keep your gun and you will be offered the choice of another handgun of equal value or a refund.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

If it's a 3", it's a Lou Horten exclusive.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

24-3 in the 4 inch and 6 1/2 in barrels have the ABZxxxx prefix in the serial number. 3 inch guns are from Lew Horton with 5000 made. I don't
know what the serial number range is for the LH guns but I have two 6 1/2 barrel guns and one four incher. Only shot one of the longer tubes the other two are NIB. Dicovered the .44 Special
when I started shooting them out of my 29. They didn't beat me to death and were super accurate. When Smith announced the 24's being reintroduced, I pickuped up three with display cases.

This one is the 3" Model.

My 4" 24-3 has the ABZ pre-fix in the serial.

Then you have one of the Lew Horton guns. It came with finger-groove combat grips like this...



Great guns!

Take care,
Bob S.

I really appreciate all the help. I need to find some correct grips, factory Lew Horton Holster, paperwork and box if anyone has any ideas.

Thanks

It might be wrong, but I have a source here that says the Lew Horton guns all have the K/L frame gripframe instead of the regular N-gripframe.

If that is true, then finding the correct combats shouldn't be that hard. I have seen them recently in the classifieds even. If you have any K/L frame grips, you may want to try them out and see for yourself. Obviously any of the square butt grips will fit over a RB frame, you'll just have the gap at the bottom where the frame curves in, but you can at least see if they fit right, where the top horns meet the DA hump.

Hey chevygarage
This is the way your 24 left the factory!

The recall mentioned above was for the stainless steel guns(mod 624) only. The grips are N frame round butt "combats". The holster was made by S&W and was the only holster on the market at that time for the N frame 3" guns. These guns were special ordered by Lew Horton in 1983 and it was the first time S&W made the N frame with a round butt and/or 3" barrel. It was said "they won't sell", within 6 months they were all gone and Lew Horton placed an order for the 29 in the same configuration! I have seen these guns in the type box pictured above, which is numbered to my gun, and the one piece fold over type box. You will be able to find the grips but they are a bit pricey($150+) but the holster is hard to find.
Good luck, jcelect SWCA#723

It is a Lew Horton if it's a 3". Mine is S/N AEM133X. and came with the finger groove combat grips. Mine was shipped July 1984.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

[QUOTE]Originally posted by chevygarage:
I traded for a Model 24-3 Serial # AEM75XX/QUOTE]

There is another post in this category about 24-3 serial numbers looking for possible consecutive numbers. Yours is scary close to mine at AEM757X. I'll email you the full #.

__________________
Tony

Gun 4 Fun,

I believe the 24-3 is a true N frame roundbutt. I base that on the fact that I just compared my Lew Horton 3" 624-3 roundbutt to my 296 RB L frame and 500 X frame. The L frame and X frame are the same. The 624-3 N frame is bigger than both the L & X at the DA hump.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Hey Jim,
thanks for that info. I was basing it on what Dick Metcalf says in the March '85 issue of Shooting Times. He says that the LH guns are K/L frame sized for the gripframe.

I never cared much for his writings, but he is a S&W yes man, and I figured he would have the inside scoop if anyone would.

From what I have been reading, maybe not.

Well he probably just made an assumption. If S&W uses a K/L grip on the 500, it seemed like a good one. I'd give him a pass just this once.

Based on which grips I had tried on my 624-3, I was pretty sure it was N frame, but I checked it out today to be sure.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

I purchased one from Lew Horton when they came out. I have the ad in front of me. It says " The First Factory Produced "K" Round Grip on an "N" Frame". The ad is capitalized just like I typed. The gun cost $299.97 each or $289.95 each if you bought three or more, plus $4.00 shipping and handling each. The ad was on the back cover of the July 1 1984 Shotgun News. I have never scanned anything before, but will see if I can get one of my children to do it for me. If I can make it work I will put the ad here.

I was mistaken about Dick Metcalf making the comment. I just rechecked it, and it is in a sub section written by Skeeter Skelton. He has an article in the middle of Metcalfs. Skeeter says on page 49, March 1985 issue of Shooting Times-

"An extremely interesting sidelight has occured recently, at least partly due to Smith's cancellation of the Model 24. Lew Horton Distributing Co. (175 Boston Rd., Southboro, MA 01772) made a special contract only a year or so ago with the S&W factory for an exclusive run of what it was to call the Combat Model 24. A most unusual gun, it has a three-inch barrel, red ramp front and white outline rear sights, and a K-frame round-butt grip. It is a handsome piece of machinery and a revolver that is exceedingly suitable for law enforcement and defense."


The above is an exact copy of the third from the last paragraph in Skeeter's sub article. That is where I got that from.

jcelect,

So is the grip an N frame round butt or K/L round butt? Do you have some N frame grips or K/L frame grips to try on it?

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

The same grips that fit my 625 JM fit my Lew Horton 24-3 - so I'd say they are a N frame.

Have a good weekend,
Bob S.

You learn something everyday....I did not know the gun's butt was a K/L...

Thanks!

Bob

__________________
"Onward thru the Fog"

Bob,
Don't you mean N frame? You didn't know the 24-3 3" round butt was an N frame size butt?

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Hey fella's
The same grips fit all these guns!

OOPS Except the center top, that's a square butt!
jcelect