657-2 HUNTER with a HTR prefix...

[SuperMan]

Would anyone out there happen to have a factory letter on the 657-2 HUNTER model with a HTR prefix. I have serial #5.

Before Lew Horton went out of business I wrote them and asked if this was one of their guns. They said the HUNTER was not their Distributor Exclusive but they did happen to get my #5 from the factory for resale.

Mine has a fluted cylinder not the unfluted as most do. On page 321 of the 4th Edition of the SCofS&W is a picture of the exact gun I have sitting on top of the blue case. Had the original non-S&W embossed Hogue grips as pictured but no box...

Most of the other Hunters I have seen are -3s and have a standard serial number...

...guess I'm going to have to ask for a letter....

Below picture is with the Pachmayer grips...

Thanks...Bob

 

[OldChief]

I just checked the catalog and I wonder if someone got the pictures mixed up when they published the catalog. The description says that the 657 has a fluted cylinder and the Classic Hunter a non-fluted one. As you probably already know, those 3 letter prefix serial numbers can really confuse one. Since you say the serial number is #5, I think you should have it lettered because, down the road from now, that may become a real valuable firearm. I sure someone much more knowledgeable than I will come in and set us straight.

 

[SuperMan]

...and that is what is very confusing...

If you look in the "Product Codes and Features by Year" there is a listing for #103958 with a 6.5" barrel and fluted cylinder.

Also being a -2 this had to be made between 1990 and 1994 when the -3 came out.

I have seen a lot of 657 6.5" Classic/Hunter series of guns sell on the auction sites but only a couple have had a HTR prefix...

I don't think that the picture is a mistake because as far as I have seen, all Classics and Hunters have non-fluted cylinders... Could be that some of the early ones had fluted ones put on them because the factory didn't have any made up yet...who knows, but that picture has been in every Catalog..

Thank you again...Bob