657 no dash 3"

61pass · Jan 17, 2020

I just traded for a 3" 657 no dash in the box. The product code is 103951. In the SC of S&W it says this was a 1986 only product code but the general description of the 657 shows only 4", 6" or 8 3/8" barrels. Anyone out there have any additional information about the 3" model. I think the Lew Horton's came along later.

Thanks, Bob

flagman1776 · Jan 17, 2020

I'm pretty sure you will find it is a Lew Horton special edition. Sadly I no longer have my LH 3" 657 but my records show I bought it new in DEC 1986.

colt_saa · Jan 17, 2020

Congratulations on a great find

Those began manufacture in 1986

Several of your fellow forum members own and shoot those revolvers with great joy

Many thousands were produced

Lew Horton Distributors were involved in getting Smith & Wesson to produce round butt N-Frame revolvers by ordering various models in 5000 piece quantities

rbmac52 · Jan 17, 2020

I agree with flagman1776 on your Model 657 3-inch.

The very first of the N-frame 3" round-butt Combats was the Model 24-3, followed by the 29-3, and the 624, 629, and 657 (not necessarily in that order, hey I'm getting old!). All of these had a red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, semi-target hammer, smooth .312" trigger, and factory fingergroove Combat Stocks made of Goncalo Alves with S&W medallions.

I can't remember if all of these special orders were Lew Horton exclusives, but the exact same revolvers were also available from other distributors during their runs. These limited edition revolvers were special orders and therefore not "catalogued." This would explain the omitted 3" barrel length mention in the SCSW4th description of the Model 657.

Excellent acquisition on your part. Worth at least $1200, in my opinion, but probably more, maybe a lot more!

SAFireman · Jan 17, 2020

Here is a letter for one of the 3" 657's. They were not all distributed by Lew Horton, nor were they an exclusive model. There were quite a few made.

Here is a copy of the letter for your reference:

Here is mine. I lusted after one of these for years and years before I finally found one. Shortly thereafter, I came across two more, one NIB is now in my dad's collection, and the other went to a deserving forum member here.

This is one of my favorites. It is always a treat to take it to the range

61pass · Jan 17, 2020

Thanks for the responses guys. SAFireman, mine falls into ANE 3082 - ANE 5700 range. Thanks again, Bob

Lonestar57 · Jan 17, 2020

Yes, great handguns. I just picked up one up for myself.

SAFireman · Jan 18, 2020

lonestar57 said:
Yes, great handguns. I just picked up one up for myself.

Lonestar,

I see you have a box of the 210gr Soft Point Remington loads. I found those to be quite stout in the 657 and 58's that I have. They are crazy accurate and regulated exactly to the POA in the 58's. They work well in the Marlin 1894 as well. For just messing around, I have my home brew 210gr LSWC, but for hunting the 210gr JSP is the bomb - they have accounted for many deceased porcine critters

jcelect · Jan 18, 2020

Lew Horton 657

There were 154 guns made for LH in 1998 ith product code #148119.
All of these 657s had a serial number that began with CCV
jcelect

CH4 · Jan 18, 2020

I have 2 of the original no dash 657s from ‘86 and I agree with Bob:

“... there were 5500+- 1986 657 3" guns made...they were not a LH exclusive just a Stocking Dealer Special. It is only the .44 Special guns from that time that were LH guns.

The LH 657 3" had a full underlug barrel and was made I think in 1998...there were less than 200 made and some people say less than 150. Bob”

flagman1776 · Jan 18, 2020

My December 1986 purchased 3" M657 (ANN04XX) had a decidedly heavy barrel but no underlug. I preferred the feel of it to the tapered / skinny 3" M624 (ALW57XX) I bought in July of 1986.

rbmac52 · Jan 18, 2020

I like both barrel shapes.

The Magnum barrel is perfectly suited for the decidedly more powerful Magnum cartridges.

But you have to love the classic lines of the tapered barrel on some of Smith & Wesson's classic N-frame revolvers!

1911-10MM · Jan 18, 2020

Great Guns, here's my 3 & 4 inchers

CH4 · Jan 18, 2020

flagman1776 said:
My December 1986 purchased 3" M657 (ANN04XX) had a decidedly heavy barrel but no underlug. I preferred the feel of it to the tapered / skinny 3" M624 (ALW57XX) I bought in July of 1986.

Yeah, only the 3” 624 had the tapered barrel. Sure wish the 629 and 657 did too. Almost bought a 3” 624 last month, but I have 2 each of the others.

657 no dash 3"

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