A Lew Horton 24-3....or is it? PICS

[Mack]

Holsters were separate.

 

[AKtinman]

Nice .44 Specials!

I have wondered at the production figure of 5000 Lew Horton 3" guns.

With the 1983 introduction of the 24-3 production of approximately 5000 6.5" guns and approximately 2500 4" guns, for a total production of approximately 7500 guns, it seems odd that there would have been a market for 5000 of the 3" guns.

In my opinion, the 3" would be less desirable than a 4" or a 6.5" gun.

The Lew Horton advertisement says "limited production". Were there really 5000 of the 3" guns produced?

 

[Mike 44]

I have been wanting a 24-3 for a long time and will probably get one this year. Untill now I thought all 24-3's were Lew Hortons. My question is if it is not a LH can I expect the gun to be cheaper ? How do you know if it is a LH or not ? Is the serial number the only way to tell ? Is the non LH gun the same as the LH gun ?

 

[Dogmann]

I love the 24-3.. I may be selling mine which has everything including the tools and paperwork for something else..... Ive got the itch.

 

[.357magger]

You got screwed. But...don't fear...I'll be generous and take it off your hands for the price listed in the Lew Horton price sheet a couple of posts back. Okay, I'll make it an even $350.00 so you feel better.

Where do I send the cash?

NICE gun there Man, can't believe I'm the first with this old cliche' offer. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[northslope]

In my opinion, the 3" would be less desirable than a 4" or a 6.5" gun.

I agree, however, those 3" N-frame snubs are just dead sexy.

Mine is an AEJ serial; picked it; up at a gunshow in San Francisco last year with no box or papers.

--Neill

 

[Dennis The B]

As a result of this thread, I sent an email to Lew Horton, requesting information on my Model 24-3, which was produced in 1984. Mine has a pinned barrel, something I haven't seen on other "Lew Horton Specials". Here's the text from Lew Horton -

"Dear Dennis,
Your gun is in fact a Lew Horton's Special Edition made for us by Smith & Wesson in August of 1984. It is one of approximately 6300 we had done by Smith between 1984 and 1985. Hope this helps you out."

Mine is serial number AEM17xx.

 

[Dogmann]

My 24-3 is a "AEL" serial numbered gun. So this is a Lew Horton correct??

 

[Nemo288]

My 24-3 is a "AEL" serial numbered gun. So this is a Lew Horton correct??

More than likely. I bought a 3" 24-3 in early 1987 and sold it
soon after. KEEPING THE AWESOME HOLSTER IT CAME WITH.

It was AEL080x. I did this to acquire a LH 624 3"
It also came with a holster. The blue holster is a belt duty.
The stainless holster is a pancake.

Best built Smith I own.

 

[CelticSire]

Mine, with holster. Found the gun in a pawn shop, spent 7 years trying to find the holster, then found two within two weeks. Kept one, sold one to a fellow Forum member for what I paid for it.

 

[CelticSire]

Smith & Wesson will manufacture a series for anyone who will order enough...and that number isn't as high as you think.

Here is a different, but similar gun as an example. It is a 29-4, .44 Mag, unfluted cylinder, RB, etc. and was shipped to RSR in 1989 as one of 500. RSR is one of the largest S&W wholesale distributors. I believe that a phone call to the Factory with your stock number will tell you who requested your gun.

Bob

Bob is right, as usual. Here is a 29-5, square butt, full lug barrel non-fluted cylinder made as a special run of 300 for Hill Country distibutors.

 

[Dogmann]

S&W will never make guns like these Lew Horton 24-3's again...

 

[markeb]

I am looking at a 24-3 and sent an e-mail listed on the Lew Horton website with the serial number of the gun. Their response was, it is a Lew Horton. It is 1 of approximately 6300 made in 1984 and 1985. You can call or e-mail and get a quick response.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Mine is in the two piece box SN AEJ22XX product code 100787 Also says Spec Ord. 4178. I dont know for sure if its a LH or not...

Mine too is s/n AEJ13xx. Purchased 07/84 for $339.95. Came with 2 pc. box. Holster was an extra $30.00.

 

[Sebago Son]

Smith & Wesson will manufacture a series for anyone who will order enough...and that number isn't as high as you think......

Bob

True enough Bob!

Here's a pair of the Camfour 2 1/2" 629's.

1,000 were ordered and were to be taken in three deliveries. These guns are from the 1998 shipment of 300 units that were still unsold in the Camfour inventory in early 2000.

Needless to say, the rest of the run was delayed. Later issues of this model surfaced in 2005-6 and had keylocks.

These guns shipped with ridiculously huge Hogue stocks and I was playing around with some wood for these photos... the big black stocks are in the boxes.....

Drew

 

[Dogmann]

Where can I get those RB N frame grips you have there!

 

[Dogmann]

Bob is right, as usual. Here is a 29-5, square butt, full lug barrel non-fluted cylinder made as a special run of 300 for Hill Country distibutors.

So do you think S&W would make a non IL 629 snub nose fixed sight with an order of 300?

 

[Buzzsaw]

WOW WHAT WAS I THINKIN????!!!

I just posted my 24-3 LH for sale in the classifieds, after reading this great thread, I had to pull it. I'm gonna keep it for now. It is a COOL gun!!

 

[Dogmann]

I want one of those fixed sighted 629's! My Lew Horton
Is up in the classifieds !

 

[Horacesmiff]

+ what Duke426 said