Lew Horton Markings

[Col Defender]

Have a new to me Lew Horton 29-3 with 3" barrel.

What markings did Lew Horton put on their guns? The marks I see other than normal S&W stuff is a "K" and a "G" on the frame under the
grips. Each of those letters is fully enclosed by a circle and another marking on the grip and also on the yoke which appears to be "G10".

Other than that just the SN and assembly number.

Sorry no pics yet but after the blizzard is under control and I can shoot it I will try to post some.

Snowed in in NW Missouri....

Steve

 

[pinkymingeo]

Horton is one of many S&W distributors. They don't mark the guns the factory sends them.

 

[Col Defender]

OK, so what differences should I look for in a Lew Horton Special and a standard 29-3?

 

[BUFF]

The only way to know if the gun was distributed through Lew Horton is to ask them, or to get a factory letter for the gun. They both apparently keep pretty good records.

Horton guns usually have unusual features or combinations of features. For example, the Model 24-3 3 inch gun was a Lew Horton special and was the first factory N frame with a round butt frame and a 3 inch barrel. While folks usually refer to any 3 inch Model 24-3 as a "Lew Horton gun," apparently Horton did not take delivery of all 5,000 of them they ordered and S&W sold the others to other distributors.

The 2 best ways to determine if it's possible that a gun in question is a "Lew Horton gun" would be to get a copy of the STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON, by Supica and Nahas, third edition, and become familiar with the contents (some but not all of Horton's offerings are discussed there), or post the gun here on this forum with a thorough description, serial number and photographs. If someone here thinks it is, follow up with contact with Horton or S&W.

There were a lot of variations of the Model 29-3. It would be better to describe your gun's specifics and ask, "Is this a Lew Horton?" as opposed to asking, "What are all of the Lew Horton Model 29-3 guns like?"

 

[VM]

OK, so what differences should I look for in a Lew Horton Special and a standard 29-3?

Is your serial number prefix "ALB" ?

 

[bigshot500]

yes...ALB is the prefix

 

[BUFF]

S&W manufactured one particular Model 29-3 for Lew Horton in 1984-1985. 3 inch barrel, finger groove wooden stocks often called "Combats," white outline rear and red insert front sights, round butt frame, smooth trigger, semi-target hammer. Most were in the ALB1234 s/n range. First N frame .44 Magnum with a 3 inch barrel and a round butt frame.

There were a couple other Horton 29-3's, so any more descriptives would help.

 

[VM]

S&W manufactured one particular Model 29-3 for Lew Horton in 1984-1985. 3 inch barrel, finger groove wooden stocks often called "Combats," white outline rear and red insert front sights, round butt frame, smooth trigger, semi-target hammer. Most were in the ALB1234 s/n range. First N frame .44 Magnum with a 3 inch barrel and a round butt frame.

There were a couple other Horton 29-3's, so any more descriptives would help.

Buff - besides Product code 101224, what other 29-3 with a 3" barrel exists?

 

[Engine49guy]

Lew Hortons

Neither of mine had any special markings,
They were both dash 3's and looked like this,

 

[Col Defender]

The 29-3 in question is ALB78XX. Buff - your description is exactly what mine is and it looks exactly like the two pics provided by engine49guy.

Buff I guess I should say that the trigger is smooth and the hammer is checkered but I cannot say for sure whether the hammer is target or semi-target.

Thanks everyone for all the input so far!

Steve

 

[Col Defender]

Just put 6 soft rounds through this little jewel. Shoots very well with 240 grain LSWCHP at 1000fps. A modest load to be sure and recoil was accordingly gentle for a .44 Magnum.

 

[bigshot500]

How does it feel to be the first person to shoot the gun in over a decade +

 

[Col Defender]

Felt great! Shot just a little below poa but I have to add it was 5 degrees and a north wind and out in the snow so some of that may have been human error. 5 rounds all in a bunch and one flier which surely was my fault!

 

[kennyb]

smith&wesson simply called the 3" version their combat magnum...i have one that is NOT from lew horton it's an AFR and shipped from S&W in jan.1985 to a local distributor..

 

[BUFF]

Buff - besides Product code 101224, what other 29-3 with a 3" barrel exists?

I don't know of other 3 inch M-29-3's, but there is a 29-3 Classic Hunter that was a Horton. Product code 101230, 5,000 made in 1987, according to SCS&W III.

 

[CH47gunner]

I had this same question regarding a 624 3".
I emailed Lew Horton and they responded the next day with an afirmative on the 624. I printed out a copy and just stuck it in the box.
I pasted the copy so you can get the E address for Lew Horton

Bruce

Re: S&W 624
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:12 AM
From: "Questions" <[email protected]>
To: "bruce vining" <[email protected]>

Dear Bruce,
The gun you are inquiring about is indeed a Lew Horton's Special. It was made for us by Smith & Wesson in July of 1985.

----- Original Message -----
From: bruce vining
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 1:39 PM
Subject: S&W 624


Good morning,
I purchased a 3" Smith & Wesson Model 624 no dash, ser # ALV09XX.
I understand Lew Horton Distributing requested this variation built to your specification, though few others were distributed else where.

May I ask if this particular .44 Special was distributed by your Company?

Thank you very much in advance,

Bruce Vining
Santa Cruz, Ca.