Picked this one up recently locally.....I am told it is NOT a Lew Horton model but was one of approx 2500 put out directly from S&W in 1989

Did not know of these until I came across this one.

Although this one has been shot but is still in great shape, it did not have the original box.

One thing that surprises me is that apparently it shipped with Pachmayr "Grippers" as seen in the photos, but the gun is a round butt and the stocks seem an odd choice??? The fit is awful as you can see. Am I missing something on these??

Found a spare set of S&W Wood Combats that look and feel great!

Any thoughts on rarity, collector value, etc. would be appreciated.

P.S. I also picked up an unfired Elmer Keith edition in the wood box, but no papers from the same seller.

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

Looks like a Classic Hunter.

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Yes it does....

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

I just picked up the same model last month.

The Pachmayr grips that originally came on it were for the K-frame round butt with the enclosed backstrap - the ones you are showing are open back.

The one I bought came with a non-standard set of Pachmayr grips, but I had a set of the correct grips in my "stuff I might need someday" rack.

No box with mine either - paid $950 for mine.
My addiction to 3" S&W continues... Model 29-4 added

Still haven't taken it to the range - I need to do that.

This one is in pretty nice shape, just a very slight turn ring and a very few handling marks. I think these combat stocks are pretty sexy on it.....but I will check my stash for a set of the K frame round butt Pach's that you mention.....I figured this set that he gave me was incorrect!

I am into this one a bit over it's value in my opinion, but could not resist!!

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

I have one with the original box, docs and grips. Rubber Pachmayr SKGR enclosed backstrap grips are correct. Product code is 101251. According to SCSW 4, 2532 made in 1989.

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To confirm, are your grips marked K-Frame round butt or N-Frame round butt?

I have several sets of K & N Gripper's around, but they are all marked Square Butt.

Also, am I correct to assume this limited run of 2,532 were only done in blue, none in stainless??

My reference books are all in storage.

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

K-Frame round butt on an N-Frame round butt??

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

Cool little .44.

What number is the Keith?

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Even older, even crankier....

It looks like something S&W did for TALO (TX,AR LA, OK). I have a 686+ 3" with a similar configuration.

Nope available in stainless as well. I bought mine with all the goodies and promptly put Grasshorn’s on it. I’m awaiting arrival of T grip I ordered in February. Google it. The stainless 629 come out after the 29.

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SCSW just says Product Code 101251 3" Special 1989.

Tom, yours is identical to one I had that was a special run of 2532 for the now-defunct Hill Country Wholesale (I used to buy from them when I had a store also)...Mine was a find at a gun show that I intended to keep, but an old friend saw it and whined until I sold it to him at cost last year...

Mine also had the wrong grips (RB to SB) and I had a pair of RB N-frame Bigmtnman Bullwinkles that fit it perfectly...That was the configuration I sold it with...Mine was S/N BDY8990...I sold it to my friend who had done me lots of favors over the years for a little less than I had in it with the Ken Driskill grips...I got $1500...It's high on my list of guns I want back some day......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

That was the PC for mine also......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

Mine is a 629-10 PC 2 5/8". I it bought new in 2017, but they had been out for a few years by then. It isn't really heavy, but it is very dense!

Ivan

Very nice find! I am jealous. I’ve seen two in the wild. One was $2500 and the other $1050, but someone had polished the hammer and trigger bright and installed Allen head side plate screws. Easily corrected If I stumble upon a nice one for > $1500, I’ll take it home. The combats look great! Like many here, I go goofy for 3” Smiths.

Confirm those are N frame combats?

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213th FBINA

There was an old thread on here. A gentleman did a lot of research and explained history of these guns. He’s still a member as I’ve PM’d him. I can’t remember his name but I’m sure it will pop up in search. He confirmed to me that it came with K frame rd butt grips. My Grasshorn’s are N frame and fit perfectly. As you’d expect from Grasshorn

The S/N on my Elmer Keith is EMK0299 so I would assume it's number 299 out of 2500

It is unfired in the presentation case....but unfortunately no paperwork or shipping carton.

I have a chance to purchase another Elmer Keith that is also unfired AND has everything including the blue box, shipping carton with end label etc.
Any idea what a package like that might be worth??

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

Very nice acquisition. That's a cool looking revolver and in beautiful condition! I suspect the beautiful condition is due to the fact that it's a bear to shoot with .44 Magnum rounds and the recoil must be punishing! The combat stocks look great, but the Pachys may be more comfortable. If it were me, that snubby revolver would only see .44 Special rounds. Nice find, enjoy!

I tend to carry .44 Special self defense loads in my .44 Magnum short barrel guns.....but I am not in Grizzly country!

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

The Lew Horton specials were all 29-3 with a K-frame grips

This 29–4 is currently wearing N frame combat grips which fit perfectly
I would not think a K frame grip would fit this, but I haven’t tried it

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

I can't quite make out the Makers Mark on the Hank Sloan holster. Looks like a Barranti.?.

Yup - as mentioned above marked SKGR on the inside.

I'm trying to remember what they came off of in my safe. I think it was the 3" 657 I picked up back in 2010. That has a nice set of Ahrends on it now - wish he was still making grips!

Wow, there is a lot to 'unpack' here... First, thank you OP for sharing this great example. I specifically collect unfluted S&W and the 3" is just a beauty.

a) The factory did ship guns with both Hogue (i.e, such as the monogrips) and pachmayr ('Goodyear's, jokingly). In one example, take the Model 25 / 625 which shipped with either, depending on the variant.

b) To paraphrase the OP's question (I believe, it was OP), in a 'perfect world': Yes, there should be a premium value assigned to these. If 2,500 production run (max), this is certainly a lot less than the 100,000+ of a normal run 29-2 for example.
b.1) Interestingly, I am seeing run-of-the-mill S&W's for
$800-$900...nothing fancy...not just one or two sellers...I
think they are being overly optimistic, but they can charge
whatever they want...

c) Last comment, and politely, the notion that K frame grips can or should be used or are a suitable alternative is nonsense, in general. They will not fit properly; you may be able to make them go on, but they would require additional fitting and/or not properly 'seat' when being fired; would be noticeable.

This is a mix of fact and some opinion, but I hope it helped clear things up for someone who may not know???

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Rather be outdoors

The factory stocks are Pach SK-GR. Round butt k frame. They go on and off tight but they fit. This is not nonsense it is fact. Why this is, I do not now.

These guns, as originally specified by Hill Country Wholesale, were shipped with Pachmayr rubber grips...Given that in the past I have found rubber Pachs to fit guns they were not listed for, I'm not entirely surprised...If they work, they work......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

The holster shown is made by R.M. BACHMAN of Florence, Montana

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

It seems that commemoratives, even the Keith gun, don't go for much more than the standard models in similar condition. I got my unfired Keith a year or so ago for 1100, which was a pretty good price for a 29-3. The market seems to be softening on guns, but I would think a -3 in a presentation case with the shipping carton and the rest of the goodies would be 14-1500, at least in my area. They really are nice guns. It seems like lots of folks don't want them because they are safe queens. Mine is 2323, real late in the run.

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Even older, even crankier....

My 629 with the unfluted cylinder, I put on the birdseye maple
grips, I think I got the grips from Culina.

I have one. I don't know what it's worth to other people but for me it's not for sale at any price. I'm not physically able to shoot a pistol at distance anymore so a long barrel is not an advantage. I only carry for protection and I consider it a guaranteed get off me gun. Larry

Great score Tom.

I picked mine up in 2018 at a local show for $1150.

It was wearing its original rubber grips.

I changed them out with a set of N Combats.

It completed the set of all three barrel lengths produced in 1989 with the unfluted cylinder.

Photo showing 3”, 5” & 8 3/8”. All shipped with rubber grips but since changed to wood.

Masterbuck54

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Most call me Pete- SWCA#3248

That’s a pretty nice trio Masterbuck.