Love Those N Frame Snubbies

[Dennis The B]

Went to the Michigan Antique Arms Collector's show this morning, looking at some O3A3's, M1's, and saw two very nice collections of lettered S&W revolvers. I had made one tour of the show, but didn't see anything other than a 1978-vintage Model 29-2 that struck my fancy. After examining it, I passed, and went to another table. This time my eye caught the following -

Model 24-3, pinned, 3-inch barrel; wearing a set of faux-ivory stocks with S&W medallions. It was produced in 1984 according to the 3rd Edition catalogue. The item is #100787, indicating a Lew Horton special. It had the box, tools, and all paper work. While missing the appropriate stocks, it is in excellent condition. I happened to have a set of appropriate combat stocks, which it now wears proudly. Out to the range tomorrow for some 240gr .44 specials.

 

[Iggy]

Good looking gun, that should be a real fun shooter.

 

[sheriffoconee]

I like those 3 inch 24's....don't own one yet, but I suspect they are just about idea for carry...good score

 

[Rock77]

I believe you will enjoy your new revolver a great deal, it is a beauty.

I have owned a Lew Horton 624 for many years and it has been an excellent weapon, it was my carry gun for over twenty years and it always provided great comfort.

My go to load is with V/V 350 at around 1000 fps using the Hornady 180 gr. H/P. This load has proven to be controllable and hits with authority, the .44 Special is an excellent defense round and will settle matters when required.

 

[Bloodhound]

SWEEEEET FIND!!! Congrats

 

[Shooting4life]

Very nice, I have wanted one of those for awhile to go with my 624 and 657 3 inches. Something about the 3 inch n frames that does something to me. I have thought about getting a 29-2 chopped down to 3 inch with fixed sights.

 

[P&R Fan]

I have a 3" Lew Horton 29-3 also. What I don't understand is the pinned barrel. Mine isn't, and the 29-3 came about in '82 when they stopped pinning the barrels and recessing the cylinders. Yours has the pin, but it's not recessed. I thought only the 29-2 and earlier guns were pinned. Now I'm confused.

 

[keith44spl]

Sir,

That a great lookin' revolver.
I've owned one or two myself.

Your's is the first one I've saw with a pinned barrel, I like it.


Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[Poohgyrr]

Nice find, congratulations. That looks good.

 

[sw282]

si--------

 

[1blindref]

beautiful gun - great find - Congrats!
The pinned barrel has me puzzled as well. Must have been some old stock laying around the factory.

 

[Dennis The B]

...What I don't understand is the pinned barrel...

I was confused also. I thought most barrels were crush-fit after about 1981-1982. However, the S&W catalogue mentions the Lew Hortons specifically with pinned barrels. I'm fairly sure that the recessed cylinders were for magnum cartridges. The two gentlemen who had the S&W displays both said that pinned barrels later than 1981, while not common, aren't rare. I've also read in several threads, that the recessed cylinders were dropped because the additional case head support wasn't really necessary.

Last spring, at the same show, I bought a Model 27 with a 6.5" barrel, that was produced in 1969. This is about two-three years after the 6.5" barrel was dropped from S&W's line. Like other manufacturers, S&W probably ran across some 6.5" barrels after production stopped, and decided to use them to exhaust the supply. Keep in mind, that manufacturers use the waste-not maxim. They aren't collectors.

It could also be that Lew Horton specified pinned barrels for the 3" Models. They're such a big distributor, that they probably get pretty much what they want.

 

[Brian41]

I have the same gun from same era and supposedly a Lew Horton as well. Mine also doesn't have a pinned barrel.
Mine has had the action slicked up and a great shooter. I'm sure you'll enjoy that one.

 

[sw282]

si--------

 

[Dennis The B]

Since l bought my Lew Horton a couple yrs back l have also researched them a bit. Yours is the first l have seen w/pinned barrel. Perhaps you could reveal part of the serial number of yours. That would possibly shed some more info as to when the gun was made.

The serial number is AEM17xx

 

[P&R Fan]

Yours dates to 1984.
Mine was born in 1985-ALB8xxx.
Here's a shot, thanks to my teenage daughter.
Jim
I actually mis-read that and thought you were talking about a 29-3. That's what mine is.
Sorry, I need more sleep.

 

[H Richard]

Very curious. I have S/N AEM133X, shipped July 1984 and it is not pinned. I wonder just how many were pinned and where the frames came from? Assume some old stock used up.

 

[DCWilson]

Another LH 24-3

I mostly prefer longer barrels, but three-inch N-frames have a style and appeal all their own. This is AEM1118, also unpinned, also July 1984. Seemingly unfired. Came to me with box, docs and tools. I probably ought to get one in slightly rougher condition so I can find out what it's like to actually shoot one of these.

 

[coiler666]

Beautiful revolver sir, congrats on a very nice find.

 

[keith44spl]

Short & Sweet

I like 'em too!

I'm packin' this'n today...One of my custom 44 Spceials.

Su Amigo,
Dave