24-6 Lew Horton or Not??

[DoubleDelta]

Is it a Lew Horton
Please provide information on my
Serial # CLE0157
Product 150123
Model 24-6 .44 Special 3" Barrel
Features
06-A2-LG-GW-BO-WS-SR-F-CC-ZB

SKU. 2218813001

 

[rbmac52]

Not a Lew Horton.

 

[75Vette]

I would say yes, it is a Lew Horton run. I have one with the same serial number prefix as yours.

 

[bwade]

I also have one that is the same prefix that is a documented Lew Horton. The problem with the OP's is the serial number after the prefix 1523. There were 250 of those in order from 001. Mine is 006, the 1523 is way beyond the Lew Horton order of 250. Earl Minot's letter says they are numbered from 001 to 250.

So, its a hard NO on it being a Lew Horton.

 

[rbmac52]

It does get confusing when the factory sells guns of the exact same configuration as those ordered and sold by Lew Horton.

It is important to note that the guns are EXACTLY the same, whether or not they were distributed by Lew Horton. Some would say a Lew Horton gun somehow is more valuable than one sold by another distributor. I do not agree with that reasoning.

 

[bwade]

It does get confusing when the factory sells guns of the exact same configuration as those ordered and sold by Lew Horton.

It is important to note that the guns are EXACTLY the same, whether or not they were distributed by Lew Horton. Some would say a Lew Horton gun somehow is more valuable than one sold by another distributor. I do not agree with that reasoning.

I disagree. Lew Horton created the impetus for the creation of this model with the special order contract with S&W for the first 250 units. They did it for these three models (and others) in nickel and blue. Without the marketing and distribution of Lew Horton, this model may never have been made. Therefore, Lew Horton was the pacesetter for several models and are now recognized as such. The proof is in the pudding... try to buy a Lew Horton and see if you can get it for the same price range for a similar model that is not a Lew Horton.

 

[rbmac52]

We can agree to disagree on that. I won't say you are wrong, but many of us believe as I do, that it makes no difference who distributed a particular gun. I give huge kudos to Lew Horton for coming up with great ideas for guns.

 

[75Vette]

Got me on that one. I wasn't aware of the over-runs of these particular guns. Y'all had me going back to check my serial number, it's 0008. It would've been great if the factory had changed the serial prefix and/or the part number on the over-runs to distinguish between the two. I guess we are talking about S&W though.

 

[DoubleDelta]

What is the estimated value
I have OEM box and paper work

 

[DoubleDelta]

Well Praise the Lord
I double checked my Serial#
Correct Serial# CLE0157

 

[bwade]

Well Praise the Lord
I double checked my Serial#
Correct Serial# CLE0157

You now have a Lew Horton. I guess you misread the serial number originally.
I did not think S&W made many if any of those 24-6 models outside of the serial number sequence like they did the 3" 29-3 and 629.

Congrats on your discovery!

 

[TheTinMan]

We can agree to disagree on that. I won't say you are wrong, but many of us believe as I do, that it makes no difference who distributed a particular gun. I give huge kudos to Lew Horton for coming up with great ideas for guns.

You can call Lew Horton (or at least used to be able to) and give them a serial #. I can't remember which gun it was, but I have at least one that was built to Lew Horton specs yet sold to another distributor. It matters not to me.

 

[bwade]

You can call Lew Horton (or at least used to be able to) and give them a serial #. I can't remember which gun it was, but I have at least one that was built to Lew Horton specs yet sold to another distributor. It matters not to me.

You can't call them anymore and do that. Earl Minot was the one who wrote those letters and neither he or LH exist anymore. There was a person who was from LH management that was writing some letters for a fee, but I cannot remember her name. A search on the forum will probably turn her up if you are so inclined.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

What is the estimated value
I have OEM box and paper work

$1100.00

You should apply a little "Kentucky Windage" because it could be a little low or a little high. It depends on your neighborhood. On the Left Coast at my LGS, the S&W revolvers sit for awhile. Customize Glocks and Berettas are the hot item for the Gun Enthusiasts here.

 

[Vtgw938]

You can email Susan Lorosso and find out if a gun is a LH. She will verify if it is or not, and offer to provide a letter with that info plus the production #s etc. for $60. I have so far chosen to only get the verification. I'm four for four so far.

The address has been posted several times on the forum, but I'll give it out again.

[email protected]

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

It does get confusing when the factory sells guns of the exact same configuration as those ordered and sold by Lew Horton.

It is important to note that the guns are EXACTLY the same, whether or not they were distributed by Lew Horton. Some would say a Lew Horton gun somehow is more valuable than one sold by another distributor. I do not agree with that reasoning.

You nailed it!!!!!! It's a fantasy to believe the LH's are worth more. Same gun from same manufacturer. Horton was just a distributor who ordered guns.

Put 2 side x side..........Which is a LH and which just came from S&W through normal channels. Can't tell can ya?

 

[Supadupa69]

You nailed it!!!!!! It's a fantasy to believe the LH's are worth more. Same gun from same manufacturer. Horton was just a distributor who ordered guns.

Put 2 side x side..........Which is a LH and which just came from S&W through normal channels. Can't tell can ya?

I understand why a revolver from Horton and another distributor would be the exact same other than who distributed it but are there any models or options from the factory that only went thru lew Horton and are definitely not the same as from a different distro?

 

[jcelect]

Yes!

I understand why a revolver from Horton and another distributor would be the exact same other than who distributed it but are there any models or options from the factory that only went thru lew Horton and are definitely not the same as from a different distro?

Yes! Around 1983 Lew Horton ordered the 24-3 in a 3" RB configuration. At that time S&W would make a special order but the order amount of 5000 was required! This was the first time a 3" RB N frame gun was produced, post war. Everyone said nobody would buy that configuration on an N frame! Approx 6 months later LH ordered the same configuration on the model 29 and the rest is history to date!
The 24-3 & 29-3 in the top are both LH guns mentioned above!

jcelect

 

[budrichard]

I had a pair of the original Lew Horton 3" Model 24's, blue and stainless, along with a-pair of the original S&W holster's made specifically and labeled for these 3" Model 24 revolvers.
I sold the pair unfired a few years ago.
These reissue 3" Model 24's have square butt and the best S&W Magna Rosewood grips I have ever seen!
They do have the infamous lock which the originals do not have if that matters to you.

I just purchased this one just for the grips which will go on a 3&1/2" Model 27.