Collecting 3" round butt N-frames?

[BRatliff]

Hello everyone. I'm a longtime lurker, newly registered member, seldom poster. Looking for a little insight and knowledge from the forum members. I will confess to being more of a semi-automatic type of guy.
I've been reading through the posts and looking at the pictures and now I'm hooked on the 3" N-frames. I have acquired a couple so far. The little boy in me is starting to come out and I was thinking of getting them all. My question is, how many is that? Is it even a reasonable goal? I'm thinking pre-lock, regular Smith & Wesson or Lew Horton models only. No Performance Center or "specially marked" models, like the "Trail Boss" or "Alaskan Backpacker". I have made a sort of shopping list of the models I know, looking to see if it is complete, which I doubt. I will list the ones I know, looking for help on the one's I don't know. I will list them in number order the best I know. The * indicates which ones I have obtained thus far.

* Model 24-3 44 Special fluted cylinder, blue, RR/WO
* Model 29-3 44 Magnum fluted cylinder, blue, RR/WO
* Model 29-4 44 Magnum unfluted cylinder, blue, RR/WO
* Model 610-2 10mm unfluted cylinder, stainless, RR/WO
* Model 624 44 Special fluted cylinder, stainless, RR/WO
* Model 625-3 45 ACP fluted cylinder, stainless, BR/WO
* Model 625-4 45 ACP fluted cylinder, stainless, BR/WO
* Model 625-7 45 Colt fluted cylinder, stainless, RR/WO
* Model 629-1 44 Magnum fluted cylinder, stainless, RR/WO
* Model 629-2 44 Magnum unfluted cylinder, stainless, BR/WO
* Model 629-2E 44 Magnum unfluted cylinder, stainless,BR/WO
* Model 629-4 44 Magnum unfluted cylinder, stainless, RR/WO
* Model 629-5 44 Magnum unfluted cylinder, stainless, BR/WO
* Model 657 41 Magnum fluted cylinder, stainless, RR/WO
* Model 657-4 41 Magnum fluted cylinder, stainelss, RR/WO

Those are all the one's I'm aware of, did I miss any? I figure in today's market they would be close to 24K, with the model 610-2, 625-7 and 657-4 being the most expensive. Looking forward to your thoughts and suggestions. Best regards, Bob.

 

[shouldazagged]

Can't answer your question (others definitely will), but welcome to the forum from Louisville. Glad you emerged from lurking.

 

[KLYDE]

Fixed sight 629. I think it is 3". Maybe a dash 5? Sebago Son has a couple that he's posted before.

 

[jjbrewst1]

624 Lew Horton
657 Lew Horton

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Get your checkbook ready

 

[BRatliff]

shouldazagged, thanks for the welcome.

KLYDE, 629-5 is one I'm not aware of, would like to hear more.

jjbrewst1, I was hoping you would chime in. Your pictures have contributed to my obsession. I thought the 624's were the same whether Smith & Wesson or Lew Horton? Didn't know about the 657 Lew Horton, what makes it unique?

05CarbonDRZ, I hear you about the checkbook, it sure has been taking a beating lately.

Thanks all for the replies. I will update the list as we go, Bob.

 

[XAVMECH]

625-3

Here's mine. The front sight is original as far as I know (except for the paint...). I have several 3-inchers now, snubbies can be addicting, without a doubt. Good luck on your quest. Chasing some of these fine old guns can be fun.
XAVMECH
SWCA # 2746

 

[71firebird400]

There was a 3" 625-4 as well.

 

[quinn]

There was a 3" 625-4 as well.

Yep, I got one of those and the 657 no dash. Then, there's the Jovino but I don't think that meets his specifications. That would be a fantastic collection to see. Allen-frame must be close if not already there.

 

[ladder13]

The 625-7, 3 inch 45 Colt is just one of my many grail guns.

 

[jcelect]

3" N frames

Here's all the calibers in stainless!

jcelect

 

[BRatliff]

Here's all the calibers in stainless!

jcelect

Pardon me while I wipe the drool off of my keyboard . That's quite the display case, or should I say vault, a lot of green in there. Quick question, are the 629-2 and 629-2E two different models or two ways to describe the same model? Thanks for posting your babies, Bob.

 

[dotdsd334]

So I'm not the only one that as caught the "3 inch N frame addiction". That's a relief. Good luck in your search. Look forward to seeing which ones and how many you can come up with.

 

[jcelect]

3" 629-2E

Hey BRatliff
The number 629-2E is stamped in the yoke. The "E" indicates the endurance package is on this gun. This was done until they introduced the -3 change. I believe your list is short by many models. Awhile back I went thru the book and wrote down product code numbers for 3" N frame RB guns, I had a page and half! That's when I decided to buy ONE of each caliber! You must find the Lew Horton gun that started this mania! The 24, 3", N frame, RB was the first post war gun in that configuration. Everyone said it would not sell! "Everyone" was wrong on that one! ! ! The display case is another story! I originally built it for another gun but had too many problems with the wood so it sat in a corner for 2 years! Then the four orphans in the bottom came to me with incorrect grips, not box or papers, and all had been shot! Here they are again with a couple blued guns for a little contrast!

Good luck sir, jcelect

 

[Hondo44]

Unless you were specifically avoiding the lightweights, there's the 329 TI/SC. The only S&W that out recoils the S&W 500 Mag 3"!

Then there's the limited production "Heritage" Model 44 Spl RB (with rib-less barrel).

Are you differentiating between true N frame RBs like Models 24-3 and 624, for example, and the later N frame RB guns? Once the RB became standard on N frames c. 1995-96, they have different size RB grip frames.

For example, my Model 329 air-weight 44 Mag stocks are the K/L and X frame (500 Mag) RB size across the medallion area at the knuckle. Their factory grips come up short 1/8” across the 'true' N frame size knuckle.

 

[mgb223]

the 629-5 no lock fixed sight 629-6 lock fixed sight. Made for camfor.less of the no lock smith started the lock BS I think it was like a quarter through the run. Also barrel length is 2 1/2"

 

[BRatliff]

Unless you were specifically avoiding the lightweights, there's the 329 TI/SC. The only S&W that out recoils the S&W 500 Mag 3"!

Then there's the limited production "Heritage" Model 44 Spl RB (with rib-less barrel).

Are you differentiating between true N frame RBs like Models 24-3 and 624, for example, and the later N frame RB guns? Once the RB became standard on N frames c. 1995-96, they have different size RB grip frames.

For example, my Model 329 air-weight 44 Mag stocks are the K/L and X frame (500 Mag) RB size across the medallion area at the knuckle. Their factory grips come up short 1/8” across the 'true' N frame size knuckle.

I admit to being a newb and not really knowing how to answer. As far as the lightweights, I assumed they all had "the lock" and the "Heritage" model would fall into the specially marked category. I know nothing about the frame size differences based on year of production.

Perhaps I should redefine my goal. Lets say modern day 3" N-frame, round butt, shrouded ejector rod models in stainless and carbon steel. That should I believe, cover the 2X and 6XX models. Narrowing it down to even this may be quite a task to obtain them all. Thanks for all the help and suggestions, Bob.

 

[BRatliff]

Hey BRatliff
The number 629-2E is stamped in the yoke. The "E" indicates the endurance package is on this gun. This was done until they introduced the -3 change. I believe your list is short by many models. Awhile back I went thru the book and wrote down product code numbers for 3" N frame RB guns, I had a page and half! That's when I decided to buy ONE of each caliber! You must find the Lew Horton gun that started this mania! The 24, 3", N frame, RB was the first post war gun in that configuration. Everyone said it would not sell! "Everyone" was wrong on that one! ! ! The display case is another story! I originally built it for another gun but had too many problems with the wood so it sat in a corner for 2 years! Then the four orphans in the bottom came to me with incorrect grips, not box or papers, and all had been shot! Here they are again with a couple blued guns for a little contrast!

Thanks for the reply. So there are two distinct models 692-2 and 629-2E?

I do have a very nice example of the Model 24-3 with correct box, docs and tools. I don't know if it is a Lew Horton or not. It is, I believe a 1984 model based on the 2 piece Bangor Punta box numbered to the pistol.

Obtaining one of each caliber in stainless and carbon steel should not be too difficult. To do that I need two more.

Nice to see that the "orphans" found a new home. You appear to be quite the foster parent, Bob.

 

[Hondo44]

I admit to being a newb and not really knowing how to answer. As far as the lightweights, I assumed they all had "the lock" and the "Heritage" model would fall into the specially marked category. I know nothing about the frame size differences based on year of production.

Perhaps I should redefine my goal. Lets say modern day 3" N-frame, round butt, shrouded ejector rod models in stainless and carbon steel. That should I believe, cover the 2X and 6XX models. Narrowing it down to even this may be quite a task to obtain them all. Thanks for all the help and suggestions, Bob.

Bob,

Sorry about that, you're correct, the 329 does have the IL. I forgot about that in your criteria. And the Heritage is not a 3".

Once you begin to accumulate your round butt collection, you may be able to clear up exactly which models have which size round butt grip frame.

Good luck and have fun hunting,

 

[irish_11]

The only 3" n-frame I own is a 29-4. unfluted cyl in blue. It has some holster wear from the PO, but I like been there done that look. Not as collectable as some of the others in here (which I'm jealous of)