Lew Horton vs Non-Lew Horton 629 3" Question

[gunsmoke101]

From what research I could find, 8000 Model 629s with 3" barrel where made in 1985-1989? of which 5000 were for Lew Horton. That means 3000 were Non-Lew Horton 629s. In terms of value, which one is worth more?

 

[SAFireman]

They were both made in the same factory with the same parts & machines. I don't see any premium to the Lew Horton guns unless they were exclusive.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I had one of the LHs (as far as I know) and it was not marked nor did it otherwise bear any kind of a symbol to indicate a special run for LH. I thought the 5000 were all there were but if there are 3000 more then they really have no special value.

I paid $300 or $350 for mine in the late 1990s and happily gave it to a friend of mine in 2006 to repay a $900 gambling debt after I established that that was apparently the going rate. He loves it. I didn't miss it for a moment.

 

[Candrews86]

Lew Horton was just a distributor, in the 629-1's case, I don't see why there would be a price difference. Just as it was already mentioned, only if it was an exclusive run FOR Lew Horton.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The only advantage I can see is the availability of a Lew Horton provenance letter. It's a free service LH offers. The letter is hand signed and has a nice letter head. It might add value to the right buyer, especially if the factory box is missing, perhaps $25 - $50.

 

[gunsmoke101]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Shark Bait]

The only advantage I can see is the availability of a Lew Horton provenance letter. It's a free service LH offers. The letter is hand signed and has a nice letter head. It might add value to the right buyer, especially if the factory box is missing, perhaps $25 - $50.

Right. RSR apparently doesn't offer letters or respond to emails. Oh well. I still like my Trail Boss.

 

[SLT223]

I put no premium on LH. I have a couple of there 3". As long as it exists, I really don't care who the distributor was. If someone wants to sell at a discount bc their 3" .44 is S&W direct, that works for me

 

[Tom Kent]

I got one of the 629-1, 3"bbl, RB and I love it. When I first got the revolver I asked for some additional information here and I was told that LH had an order for 3000 and S&W made 5000 for general sales. I contacted LH and my serial number was not one of their's so it was one made for commercial sales by S&W. It shoots great.

 

[gunsmoke101]

The reason I made the question is because I just put a Model 629-2 3" on layaway with my local gun shop. It comes with the matching box and papers. The serial number dates to 1988, and it is not a Lew Horton gun. The product code is 103610. The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th Edition is a bit confusing. Depending on which page you're looking at, the years listed for the product code differ slightly. Taking all the different dates collectively, 1985-1989 is what I come up with for the manufacture dates for both the 629-1 and 629-2 with product code 103610. Anyone know any better?