I'm thinking about buying a Lew Horton S&W 24-3 revolver. How can I tell if it is a Lew Horton and not just a S&W 24-3 revolver?

Here is a picture of a LH 24-3.
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One of my all time favorite S&W's, I spent 25 years assembling a NIB set. The Product Code (PC) on the box labels are as follows:

4" - 100782
6 1/2" - 024302641
3" - 100787

The 4" & 6 1/2" where introduced in 1983, while the 3" was out in '85. On the PC, I'm going by what is on the labels on my boxes, the 6.5 number looks odd, but that is what is there.
I would encourage you to try to get one with box and paperwork, it just adds to the package.
Save up money, they ain't cheap. You will find the 6.5" to be the easiest to locate, then the 3", the 4" is a rare bird and highly sought after. Prices for NIB can reach about $1K. Every now and then someone will post about finding one in a shop for $400, it still happens but not very often.
I paid $400 for my 6.5" about 12 years ago, NIB, then around 4 years later found a 3" NIB and paid $450, thought I was doing well and started looking for the 4", and looking, and looking. Finally found a Forum member who sold me one NIB for $950, I did not bat an eye at the $$ amount. I would have paid more.
Mine are still NIB and will stay that way, I'm always looking for a shooter grade 24, but since I have a 624 4" and 6.5" I don't have to go nuts finding it, when they show up, I'll grab them.
Hope that helps, be ready to get bit by the .44 special bug tho', I'ts addictive.
RD

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

I found a pre-owned LH24-3, about 98% for $695. No box or papers,just
the revolver. Did S&W produce a 24-3 that isn't Lew Horton?

i too have the 4" 24-3...found it a few months ago for $575.00..you can email LH the serial number etc.and they can tell you if they were the distributor or not...who distributed the gun is not going to affect value however

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Thanks everyone for the info.

It is my understanding that all 3" 24-3's were Lew Horton guns. Mfg. 1984 - 1985. Only 5,000 Lew Horton 3" were made, of which 1000 shipped with a black holster. Product code was 100787. I have S/N AEM133X which was shipped in July 1984.
I replaced the grips with smooth modified grips, RB to SB conversion.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Get a copy of the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" 3rd Ed.
Best $28.00 you'll ever spend (Amazon.com).
Hard cover coffee-table type book with beautiful full color photos and tons of information on all Smith & Wesson guns.
Shows all unique offerings such as Lew Horton Special guns.
These usually match up with the stampings inside the crane area.

Great info. I really appreciate it.

I LOVE THIS GUN! I just wish the ammo for it wasn't so expensive. Still I like to take it to the range once a month or so. The first pic is my first trip to the range with it. The target was set at 15 yards. This isn't the first double action Smith I've had that has a very sensitive trigger when firing single action. You even think about touching the trigger you just fired it.

The hits circled in red were ADs when firing single action. These were the first shots I took with it and have gotten used to it by now but I mostly fire it double action. When I carry it I load with Winchester Silver Tips. I carry it mostly in the winter due to it's size.

I'm a fan of the Smith and Wesson "N" frame revolvers but this is the most beautiful gun I've ever owned. Heck it's the best looking gun I've ever SEEN. Shooting it is pure pleasure.

In the second pic it is resting in it's custom holster. I feel like when I'm carryin' that rig I'm not only the best protected but also the best dressed man on the street.

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It's the three-inch barrel that makes these guns desirable, not the Lew Horton name; the name is just a shorthand way of designating the configuration. True, there is pretty extensive correlation between "LH-ness" and barrel length, but I don't think it is perfect. Yes, LH ordered 5000 units, but I don't believe they sold them all. Some stayed in S&W's hands and were later sold by the factory to other distributors and gun stores. I see no useful distinction between the LH-distributed guns and the ones they did not handle.

Anyway, they are truly special revolvers. I paid a grand for one NIB about four years ago and am glad I did. I'm just sorry I haven't been able to score one of the proper holsters.

If you like N-frames with 2" to 3" barrels, the 3" 24-3 is a must-have, in my opinion.

It's not like we need even more images to show how cool these guns are, but here's a photo of mine (AEM prefix):

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David Wilson

Would you happen to have any information on the 24-3 made in the "1st One Hundred Special Combat"?

Shameless photo post opportunity...44spec are special!



this one a GB find a few years back...< $700 with combats

Another shameless plug for a LH 24-3 I picked up a while back.

Paid about $850 for this a few years ago. It did not have the combats, so I opted for the round butt to square butt conversions bought here on the forum.