Is this a Lew horton Model ?

[4kdave]

I purchased this S & W Model 686 about 20 yrs. ago & was told at the time it was special because it was a Lew Horton Model.

The serial # is ALV9039 and there is another # X7523 on the cylinder arm.

My question is: is it a Lew Horton & what is it's value as I want to sell it.

I forgot to mention it has a 2.5" barrel

 

[s&wchad]

Welcome to the forum. Lew Horton is a major distributor with enough volume and clout to have S&W produce special run guns. Some of the LH specials later became standard catalog items.

Your serial number seems to put it in the mid-1980’s, about the time LH had the 686’s produced with a 2-1/2” barrel. They were supplied with wood cambat grips. The 2-1/2” barrel became a standard catalog item around 1990, so if yours is a snubby, it very well may be a LH special. A phone call to Lew Horton with the model and serial number should provide a definite answer. If you have the original box, LH often applied labels. Some sellers place a premium on guns handled by LH, but the features of the gun matter more than the distributor.

This is a later 686 Lew Horton Special that was supplied Mag-na-ported with Eagle Secret Service grips.

 

[4kdave]

Thanks for the reply!!! Mine is a 6 shot rather then 7 like yours.

I seem to remember long ago looking in a Blue Book and the had Lew Horton Serial Numbers broken out

Thanks again
Dave

I do have the box and since I am not too computer literate I can't post a pic. but it says special order # 5290 & product code # 104212

 

[s&wchad]

They didn't offer a seven shot back then.

Your product code is listed as a Lew Horton special in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd edition (Supica & Nahas).

The Spec. Ord. code is a Julian style date indicating the 290th day in 1985.

Someone else will have to help you with the value, but I suspect it's worth more than a later 2-1/2” standard production gun. Condition always plays an important part of the value and the wood S&W combat grips alone are worth $100 or more in excellent condition.

You'll find instruction on how to post photos (attachments) here: Attachments and Images

 

[4kdave]

Thanks again S&WChad!!!! What is your specialty in the kitchen?

 

[s&wchad]

Feeding my wife!

 

[4kdave]

That's Funny!!!!

Can anyone help me with a value on this gun?
The wood grips show minor scratches and there is a line on the cylinder

 

[Simmy952]

I thought that most Lew Horton models had serial numbers that started with LH!

 

[4kdave]

I would have thought so also but you can see that S&WChad checked the numbers from my box and what he found out.

 

[4kdave]

I'm still wondering what this gun's value is as I would like to sell it. I don't have pictures but would call it average w/ box.
Thanks for any help
Dave