Is this a Lew Horton Model S&W 686-1?

[Relic Hunter 451]

I went back and bought this 686-1 that I fielded you guys about last week. It is 2.5 inches, round butt and serial is AYF8885. It is a really nice gun that cleaned up great, at least I think it did. What do you guys think about it?

 

[ejr10mm]

Looks nice to me. I like the short barrel guns. They just look right and balance really well in the hand.

 

[colt_saa]

Give Smith & Wesson a call tomorrow

Provide them with your serial number and ask for the product code

When Lew Horton convinced Smith & Wesson to make the very first L-frame snubby back in the early Eighties, the firearm was assigned product code 104212

Here is my 104212. It is unfired since leaving the factory.

 

[Relic Hunter 451]

Give Smith & Wesson a call tomorrow

Provide them with your serial number and ask for the product code

When Lew Horton convinced Smith & Wesson to make the very first L-frame snubby back in the early Eighties, the firearm was assigned product code 104212

Here is my 104212. It is unfired since leaving the factory.

That is one gorgeous snubbie right there....wow

 

[Pine_Worker]

Can't go wrong with that, beautiful.

 

[Relic Hunter 451]

So i got a call in to S&W this morning. They informed me that my 686-1 was manufactured in December of 1987. It left the factory with the following designation: Smith and Wesson Distinguished Combat Magnum Stainless, Round Butt, Combat grips, 2.5" barrel and product code 104231. Unfortunately, the representative could not confirm if it was a Lew Horton model or not. Lew Horton is out of business now, is there a sure fire way to make a determination?

 

[colt_saa]

So i got a call in to S&W this morning. They informed me that my 686-1 was manufactured in December of 1987. It left the factory with the following designation: Smith and Wesson Distinguished Combat Magnum Stainless, Round Butt, Combat grips, 2.5" barrel and product code 104231. Unfortunately, the representative could not confirm if it was a Lew Horton model or not. Lew Horton is out of business now, is there a sure fire way to make a determination?

Product code 104231 was not the Lew Horton order

 

[Tom Conrads]

Lew Horton 657 41 Magnum Classic Hunter

I called Smith and Wesson last week concerning the same issue about a Model 657 SS Classic Hunter with a non flutted cylinder that I have. They spent some time with the serial number and confirmed that it was a Lew Horton.

 

[Mehutch]

It's a beauty, yours for life. A damn good shooter, this one I carry.

 

[CH4]

Yeah, I believe the LH run were no dashes - I have one, but without the M stamp. I also have a 2.5" dash 3 and dash 4 plus. Love em!

 

[Struckat]

That's a beauty Hunter!

But fear it is no good. Send it to me and I will keep it with my 686-1.

 

[Officer681]

Love the 686 2.5 guns,my favorite next 66,19

Sent from my XP8800 using Tapatalk

 

[CH4]

Love the 686 2.5 guns,my favorite next 66,19

Sent from my XP8800 using Tapatalk

Me too!
When it comes to the 686 and 66/19, I don't look at anything but 2.5 inchers.

 

[Officer681]

I'm actually looking for a 19 snubbie.

Sent from my XP8800 using Tapatalk

 

[MrMoose]

686 no dash AEZ

Hello. New member here. I hope I'm doing the right thing by replying to this thread instead of starting a new one. I purchased a no dash 686 2.5" with combat grips similar to the one in this thread. I do not have the box. I don't know the product code? It is an AEZ prefix which I believe dates it to 1983. I suspect, but do not know if it is a Lew Horton? My gun does not have the "M" stamp. I called S&W and they sent me a label to return it for recall. I assume it is best to have the repair done and that doing so will not lessen the collector value of the gun - can someone confirm and/or offer an opinion please? I'm sure some of you know much more about my gun than I do. Thank you for letting me know what you can about my gun.

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

There is little need to worry about collector value, your gun has been fired and has no box or paperwork. Doing the factory recall will not change anything value wise

If you call the Factory, they can look up the serial number and give you the 6 digit product code.

That first order of snubby L-frames that Lew Horton convinced the factory to do is product code 104212

It is highly probably that your revolver with it's AEZ serial number prefix is one from that first Lew Horton order

 

[Warren Sear]

Why is it important to know if the gun was distributed my Lew Horton?

 

[mod29]

...My gun does not have the "M" stamp. I called S&W and they sent me a label to return it for recall. I assume it is best to have the repair done and that doing so will not lessen the collector value of the gun - can someone confirm and/or offer an opinion please?...

I have the same gun and I sent mine in for the modification, many years ago. I suggest you do the same. It will have no effect on value.

I would also suggest removing those combat stocks before you ship the gun.
The factory won't need the grips and there's always the chance they could become separated at the factory and lost.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

[colt_saa]

Why is it important to know if the gun was distributed my Lew Horton?

Models that were simply distributed by Lew Horton that are no different than the same model available from another distributor are meaningless. That is not what we were looking for

In this case, no L-frame snubbies existed prior to Lew Horton's vision. There was no way to buy a 2 1/2" 686 except from Lew Horton

So the first 2 1/2" 686s are there because Lew Horton made it happen.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

It is an AEZ prefix which I believe dates it to 1983. I suspect, but do not know if it is a Lew Horton?

I suspect so too. Congrats!

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