Collecting 3" round butt N-frames?

[NavyFrank]

LEW HORTON made a limited runs of 3 inch N frames one that’s missing is the 25-10 in .45ACP in blue and nickel finish 150 of the blue revolvers made and the nickel guns 100 or less these don’t have the underlug barrel. Lew Horton is no longer ordering special runs from Smith & Wesson. Frank Jr.

 

[Sverre]

Lew Horton marketed a very limited number of blue and nickel 3" square-butt 24-6 44 Specials (~250 in each finish) back in late 2006. Catalog # 150120.
Good look finding one! They are scarce.

Cheers,

Sverre

 

[N_Frame]

I have a 610-2 (Lew Horton), 3" bbl, unfluted cylinder, rosewood grips, and RRWO, ANIB; and a 625-7 (Lew Horton), 3" bbl, rosewood grips, and RRWO, NIB.

 

[one eye joe]

Hey Joe,

I was able to download and zoom in on the photo you provided. The revolver obscures much of the text, but this is what I was able to see.

Serial number N629200, made or shipped in 1978, six years before the first 3" round but N frame, the 24-3 made for Lew Horton. More than likely a no dash model, sold for 80K at the time!! WAY, WAY outside of my league. The letter states engraved, I don't see any however.

Kind of reminds me of the three 3" guns commissioned by Dick Marble without the factories knowledge. Since this one is lettered, it must have had the factories approval. Although I can't possibly afford it, I would appreciate any additional information you might come across.

Best regards, Bob.

HI BOB. THE REVOLVER IS DEFINITELY NOT ENGRAVED. THE COST OF THE REVOLVER WAS IN LINE WITH ORDINARY S&W PRICES AT THE TIME......

I WILL ATTEMPT TO LOCATE MY BILL OF SALE. PERHAPS IT WILL DISCLOSE ADDITIONAL INFO.......

IIRC, I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE REVOLVER IN THE STANDARD CATALOG, BY SERIAL #, BACK IN THE DAY.........

 

[HamHands]

I DIDN'T SPOT THIS 3" M629, FROM THE REGULAR PRODUCTION LINE, ON YOUR LIST. SORRY THAT ITS NOT READILY AVAILABLE, AND I DON'T RECALL THE DASH NUMBER. ITS NOT A LEW HORTON GUN.....

That is one beautiful example!

 

[HamHands]

Hey Joe,

I was able to download and zoom in on the photo you provided. The revolver obscures much of the text, but this is what I was able to see.

Serial number N629200, made or shipped in 1978, six years before the first 3" round but N frame, the 24-3 made for Lew Horton. More than likely a no dash model, sold for 80K at the time!! WAY, WAY outside of my league. The letter states engraved, I don't see any however.

Kind of reminds me of the three 3" guns commissioned by Dick Marble without the factories knowledge. Since this one is lettered, it must have had the factories approval. Although I can't possibly afford it, I would appreciate any additional information you might come across.

Best regards, Bob.

Please elaborate! Sounds like he had the line make a Smith & Marble version of awesomeness!

 

[hkcavalier]

Good luck on your collection. I have only run across one for sale in person, and I bought it (with a little help from the members here, goading me to do so). I refuse to go the Brokegunner route with these as the prices are into the stratosphere. I did get the factory holster. If that ends up being the last 3" RB N frame in my safe that's fine...they are just not available for sale all that often.

 

[jtcarm]

A 3” N-frame collection isn’t complete without one by the man who invented the concept: John Jovino.

 

[gma]

Kind of feel left out with my 25-2 2 1/2" model. Not marked Jovino Effector, however when I purchased new at LGS they said it was a Jovino. I know the 1/2" difference in barrel length evidently put it in another category, but still feels like an orphan of sorts.

 

[GWW]

. Be advised, the 3" bug has no cure.


Best regards, Bob Ratliff.

Yeah it does, it's called a wife LoL.

 

[Hank Dodge]

I really do like the feel and balance of a 3-inch N-frame. I've got a solid start to a "collection" going here....

I'd like to turn up another set of factory combats. If anyone has a "shooter grade" set kicking around that they would consider selling, please let me know.

 

[BRatliff]

Yeah it does, it's called a wife LoL.

You are absolutely right!! Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Put my collecting spree on hold for nearly thirty years, LOL!!

 

[BRatliff]

Please elaborate! Sounds like he had the line make a Smith & Marble version of awesomeness!

A truly great story. If my grand-daughters were here they could provide you the link. If you do a search for "fixed sight model 29" you will find the links on page two. They are titled "fixed sight model 29" and "model 29-58 a gripping story" both started by forum member Doc44.

My quest to acquire these "hand cannons" has postponed my retirement by years!! These three guns are the "Holy Grail" of 3" guns in my opinion.


Serial number ending in 333 is owned by forum member Doc44. Serial number ending in 444 was on one of the big gun sites a couple years back. I was in the hunt and had the high bid a couple of times but ultimately lost out. I believe it sold for a little more than $8000.00. Serial number ending in 555 is reputed to be owned by another member of the S&WCA.


Best regards, Bob.

 

[BRatliff]

A 3” N-frame collection isn’t complete without one by the man who invented the concept: John Jovino.

I completely agree. Been looking for a extremely highly conditioned example since I started this madness. I have seen a few for sale, either they were not of the condition I was wanting or were not proven "Jovino's". I do have in my collection a very nice Austin Behlert model 29-2. I will try to dig it out of the safe and post up a couple photos when I get time.

Best regards, Bob.

 

[HamHands]

Good luck on your collection. I have only run across one for sale in person, and I bought it (with a little help from the members here, goading me to do so). I refuse to go the Brokegunner route with these as the prices are into the stratosphere. I did get the factory holster. If that ends up being the last 3" RB N frame in my safe that's fine...they are just not available for sale all that often.

Truth.. I've bought the last 3 N frames off of GB.. 2 of them were new and I got great deals on them. The vintage Lew Horton Special M29-3, yeah, I won't be buying anymore vintage 3" "N's" off of there! I lost out on 3 M24's and 2M29's before finally deciding I'm not going to be outbid. Looking back, and being this is my favorite handgun I own I'd pay it again; but only once!

But common new models off of GB with the buy it now button.. good deals are had on there I must say.

 

[tjpopkin]

I had a matched set...same Serial# of Nickel and Blue Model 24-6's, 25s in .45ACP and 29-10s...all 3"...
I also have a 3" fixed sight Model 629-6 fixed sight

 

[white cloud]

This is a great thread. I have really enjoyed it. Nothing says bad like a large frame snubby.

 

[NMPinNYC]

Can't collect what I've never seen!

 

[BRatliff]

Can't collect what I've never seen!

Was looking through some photos of local and regional shows I have attended. Thought you might enjoy the photos. They are in no particular order except for these. They are my PC UDR's or Performance Center Defensive Revolvers. Bob

 

[BRatliff]

This is a great thread. I have really enjoyed it. Nothing says bad like a large frame snubby.

Some more photos in no particular order.