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

[MAG-NUM]

I recently purchased what I thought was a Lew Horton S&W model 24-3 .44 spc. and because I am interested in the history of the guns I own, I wrote to Lew Horton and asked them some general questions about the 24-3 and gave them my serial number for conformation.
Much to my surprise, they wrote back and said

"Unfortunately, that serial number does not come up as being a Lew Horton's gun. Sorry."

Well, how can this be?

Everything on my end checks out. The gun IS a 24-3 with all the proper parts. The end label on the factory one piece box has the correct serial number to the gun and states that it is a product code 100787 which is the correct PC and the SCSW current catalog states that production continued until 1985 and with my ALA22XX serial number the catalog also states that serial number as being made in Nov. 1985. I don't have any way to confirm the Special Order number on the box label but it is 5252.

So what gives? Did Lew Horton make a mistake or did Smith & Wesson continue to build 24-3s to LH specs after the contract was completed?
The catalog does not list any model 24-3 being built with a 3" barrel other than the LH contract.

I know that nothing is gospel with Smith & Wesson so I look to the more enlightened members for a little help on this one.

I am not at all disappointed that this is not a LH gun because it is still a great firearm, It has everything I was looking for in a large caliber short barrel gun. Thanks for your thoughts on my new revolver, Bob

 

[dlbx2]

Nice pics and a fine piece of S&W artwork!

DLB

 

[Duke426]

I can't tell you if that is a Lew Horton gun or not, but that is flat out one of the most beautiful revolvers I've ever seen. Period.

 

[viceunit]

Well, that sure looks exactly like my 24-3 LH ser# AEM75XX. I have the old style 2-piece box, though. But I know the later ones came in the new box.

 

[sunday bill]

Bob, mine wears ALA 29XX. I was told several years ago it was not a Horton serial # and was probably an over-run.

Lew Horton or not, ol ALA 29XX has found a home.

 

[michael thornton]

i have a 3 inch 624 no dash, i dont knoe if its a lh or not, realy dont care but i would like to know?

 

[Evil One]

Any man should be PROUD to have that fine piece in their hands... LH or not.
Congrats on a fine wheel gun... and send off for a letter on her.
She looks to be worth it.


Jim

 

[wheelgun28]

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...

 

[DCWilson]

I seem to recall this question came up a couple of years ago. The party line is that LH guns have AEL and AEM serial numbers. There was a suspicion, as I remember, that LH did not take the full 5000 it ordered, or whatever the number was, falling a few hundred shy. Are the ALA numbers associated with units that S&W manufactured using left-over barrels and sold directly after the LH deal ran its course? I have thought so.

Whatever the history and the proper use of the LH designation, these are first rate revolvers. I have a 24-3 with an AEM number. It's either new or almost new in the box. I can't tell if it was ever fired outside of the factory. I have never done so, but I sure have been tempted. Guess I need to get one that's not quite so pretty for shooting.


EDITED TO ADD: I either never heard of or had forgotten about the AEJ numbers that wheelgun28 mentioned. That may add a new wrinkle to the question.

 

[forsyth793]

If it shoots as good as it looks then you really do have a beauty....

 

[madmikeb]

My 3" LH 24 has the AEL serial number and the 2 piece box. But I packed it up and shipped it off to Andy Cannon for the full action and accuracy package and then added a set of Hogue "desert camo" grips from back when Guy Hogue made the grips personally in his custom shop. It looks great, shoots great, and I wouldn't trade it for anything but she sure isn't original anymore!

 

[MAG-NUM]

Thanks for all the complements and information. Whatever the case may be, Lew Horton or not, I intend to shoot this sweet little gun soon and will be glad to report how she did. Bob

 

[BUFF]

I am surprised to hear that Lew Horton didn't take all of the 3 inch M-24-3's that S&W produced. The re-introduction of the 1950 Target .44 Special was a really big deal at the time, S&W had made only 7,500 4 and 6-1/2 inchers and they had sold out as fast as dealers got them. The 3 inch guns sold so fast that Skeeter Skelton, the spiritual father of the M-24-3 and all sixguns .44 Special, didn't even get one; he wrote that by the time he heard of them, they were all gone. It was the first production (albeit limited) N frame with a round butt frame and the shortest N frame barrel S&W had yet made. I can't imagine that Lew Horton didn't take all of the guns they contracted to have built. I wonder to who a factory letter would show it shipped.

Mine is AEJ prefixed. My FLGS was also a S&W junkie, and he hadn't seen the introductory ad in ShotGun News until I told him about it and ordered one. (Someone saved, scanned and posted the ad here, I forget who.) He got two, one for me and one for him, from Lew Horton. I brought mine home in early September, 1984. I thought it was kinda pricey with an out-the-door cost of $401.74!

 

[Nightowl]

That is gorgeous, no matter whether it came through LH or not. I got mine a couple of years ago, it does not have that nice a blue and someone messed up the front sight some. I need to shoot it more.

 

[2fingers]

Mine also has the AEL serial number.
Buff, They are "N" frames with "K" frame grip frames.
They are sweet!

 

[alde]

That is a stunning revolver. One of the finest I have seen in a long time. I would be interesting to know it's history but the gun sure stands on it's own.

 

[JT]

My favorite carry N-frame ...

624 3" is not a Lew Horton gun. Same exact weapon. If you are not a LH collector, who cares?

 

[kennyb]

beautiful gun...i have the 4"version and love it

 

[624 Fan]

...
I seem to recall this question came up a couple of years ago. The party line is that LH guns have AEL and AEM serial numbers.
...
EDITED TO ADD: I either never heard of or had forgotten about the AEJ numbers that wheelgun28 mentioned. That may add a new wrinkle to the question.

I have AEJ 82xx and it letters to Lew Horton, shipped 07/25/84.

 

[bettis1]

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