Model 29-3 Classic Hunter

[TheTinMan]

I bought one of these a few months ago but a recent thread got me a bit confused about its history. I thought that it was part of a limited run of 5,000 made for Lew Horton circa 1987.

6" barrel with full under-lug, unfluted cylinder, silhouette front sight, white outline rear sight, Hogue stocks, ribbed trigger. wide (?) checkered hammer. Serial # starts with "AZC". Product code 101230, Special Order 8172.

Price Check 629 Classic Hunter

Now here's what has me mixed up:

Not so, classic hunters didn't have adjustable front sights. The one this thread is talking about matches the classic hunter description perfectly.
From SCSW 3rd •The .44 Magnum Classic Hunter: Model 629-1 or 629-2, 6-shot unfluted cylinder, 6”full-lug barrel, .500”target hammer, .400”smooth combat trigger, pinned black ramp front sight with white outline rear sight, Hogue soft rubber combat grips on a square butt frame (five were manufactured with an adjustable front sight), “AVZ”serial prefix. Product code 103616. 5,000 manufactured in 1988. •

The product code on the box is also the one for a classic hunter.

Snapping twigs gun is a 29-3 classic hunter. Here is the original write up on it.
The 629 classic hunter is a different animal, both are very nice.
If I came across an original first run 629 classic hunter in the box for $720, I'd pull a muscle going for my wallet.
To the op, great score!

Soooo... is this the definitive scoop on my revolver?

So I copied this from the SCSW under the model 29 section.
."•The Classic Hunter: Lew Horton Special, Model 29-3, 6-shot non-fluted cylinder, 6”full-lug barrel, adjustable four-position front sight, white outline rear blade, blue finish, Hogue rubber combat grips, N target frame, square butt. Product code 101230; 5,000 manufactured in 1987. ANIB $ 650."
But a majority of the classic hunters in both 29 and 629 versions were ramp sights.

I paid just over $1,000. Description included "this is LIKE NEW with no wear or damage light marks on cylinder typical for S&W's right out of the box!
and yes this is the original box with matching no's" Unfortunately, it seems the seller disguised several areas where the finish is worn off the edges of the top strap above the cylinder and whatever he used has worn off just with minimal handling. The good news, I guess, is that I'm not reluctant to take it out and shoot it anymore. Seemed too perfect before to shoot.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Based on the Spec. Ord. number your M29's ship date was June 21, 1988. I have three other AZC's in my s/n collection that are 101230 with the same Silhouette front sight, and they all shipped in that same June - July 1988 time frame. I have eight 101230 total, which is a fair number, so I don't think they are super rare or anything.

 

[qballwill]

Yeah, I corrected myself with the second post you have quoted. Originally I was talking about the 629 because that's what the thread was originally about. When that pictured showed up with the silhouette sight it, confused me because he had it hard chromed and I thought it was stainless. The 29-3 was the only classic hunter with that style sigh that I can find. In fact after that showed up in found one located in Hawaii and bought it. It should be here Monday .

OK so maybe I missed it, but whats confusing you again?

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

In at least one instance I saw the 101230 called the SILHOUETTE HUNTER, so maybe it did have a name.

 

[TheTinMan]

Yeah, I corrected myself with the second post you have quoted. Originally I was talking about the 629 because that's what the thread was originally about. When that pictured showed up with the silhouette sight it, confused me because he had it hard chromed and I thought it was stainless. The 29-3 was the only classic hunter with that style sigh that I can find. In fact after that showed up in found one located in Hawaii and bought it. It should be here Monday ��.

OK so maybe I missed it, but whats confusing you again?

Part of what had me confused was the 629/29 dash timing differences. Honestly, I forgot that a Model 29-3 could precede a 629-1. It looks like the 29-3 with the silhouette front sight came before the 629 "Classic Hunters" with fixed blade sights (1987 mfg. date vs. 1988).

Now I just need to talk to the nice folks at Lew Horton to find out if mine was one of their special orders.

Re-reading the quote from SCSW, it sounds like only 5,000 of the 29-3 Classic Hunters were made. However, I'm not entirely clear about the total production numbers I thought this was a fairly rare gun for late '80s production but the Kernel certainly has more than one...

 

[Miami_JBT]

I have it's .357 Cousin.

I paid $300 for it and from what I understand it was made in 1988 as a Lew Horton Special.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

JBT,

I believe the product code on those was 104249, 5k were made. It was also called a CLASSIC HUNTER, and had the three-tees. You can contact Lew Horton for a free letter.

 

[Miami_JBT]

JBT,

I believe the product code on those was 104249, 5k were made. It was also called a CLASSIC HUNTER, and had the three-tees. You can contact Lew Horton for a free letter.

What is the "three-tees"?

 

[qballwill]

What is the "three-tees"?

Target hammer, Target trigger and Target grips.