629-1 3” 103610 from 1988, Lew Horton or Overrun???

[RogerA]

So as the title states, I have a 629-1 3" model 103610 from 1988. I know that Lew Horton Distributing has closed so Earl can no longer confirm "parenthood" with a letter, but what does the group think? Since the original LH guns were mostly from 1986, and this is from 1988, I think it is most likely an "overrun" and not a Horton. Box label date 8188, early July of 1988. Grips are dated April 1988. I know I could pay for a S&W historical letter, but just want to know what you guys think before I pay the big bucks. Just looking at others in this serial number time frame, I know not too long after this one S&W went to the 629-2. Another reason I think this might be a "clean out the bin" or "overrun" pistol. Oh well, it's raining here in central Texas, and with the quarantine, what else do I have to do? THANKS and take care out there!

 

[mod34]

I'm afraid I really can't help you...…….but I REALLY like the "Sale Price"!!!

 

[75Vette]

Truthfully, I wouldn't sweat it. I have this little hot rod and it's not a LH gun and there's not one iota of difference between it and the LH gun. I wouldn't take a dime more or less for it than I would a LH. I have nothing against LH in any way. They had the factory make some beautiful revolvers over the years. I own a few. But a 629-1, whether it be LH or not is not worth losing sleep over. Enjoy shooting that one (when the Beer Flu is over).

 

[RogerA]

That was a real bonus! Those old price tag and sale tag just made me like it that much more! THANKS!

I'm afraid I really can't help you...…….but I REALLY like the "Sale Price"!!!

 

[RogerA]

I agree, no difference what so ever between the guns, and according to published numbers, the "overrun" gun were of less production than the LH guns, making them the rarer model.

Truthfully, I wouldn't sweat it. I have this little hot rod and it's not a LH gun and there's not one iota of difference between it and the LH gun. I wouldn't take a dime more or less for it than I would a LH. I have nothing against LH in any way. They had the factory make some beautiful revolvers over the years. I own a few. But a 629-1, whether it be LH or not is not worth losing sleep over. Enjoy shooting that one (when the Beer Flu is over).

 

[BRatliff]

I must confess to having a huge weakness for the L and N frame snubs. I would hazard to guess that yours is an "over run" example based on my experience. I have S/N BAN05xx which was confirmed by Earl Minot not to be a Lew Horton. Oddly enough the spec ord. of mine is 8242, 54 days after your example, even though the alpha prefix is earlier.

All of the confirmed and documented ones I have seen have an earlier alpha prefix, generally in the ANCxxxx range. Lew Horton or not, they are the same gun. For what ever reason, the verified Lew Horton models seem to bring a premium. There seems to be a "mystique" about them.

You will have to decide if the cost of a factory letter is worth it. Often times there is not as much information available on the modern guns. It may or may not provide you with production numbers and or serial number ranges.

Best regards, Bob.