Is this an original 24-3?
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BluesBear
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Original? Probably.
The 24-3 was introduced in 1983. They made them with a 4" barrel and round butt.
The previous model, the 24-2, had been discontinued in 1967. They were all square butt. Very few were made in 4" & 5". Most were 6½"
The 24-3 was introduced in 1983. They made them with a 4" barrel and round butt.
The previous model, the 24-2, had been discontinued in 1967. They were all square butt. Very few were made in 4" & 5". Most were 6½"
Mossyrock
Member
Sorry BB, but I am going to have to disagree with you. The 4 and 6.5" versions of the 24-3 had square butt grips frames. (At least the four I owned did... 
) The 3" Lew Horton had a round butt and, I would guess the revolver shown here is a rebarrelled Lew Horton. But, having said that, it sold for a very fair price that I would have jumped on had I seen it.
) The 3" Lew Horton had a round butt and, I would guess the revolver shown here is a rebarrelled Lew Horton. But, having said that, it sold for a very fair price that I would have jumped on had I seen it.
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The 24-3 was offered in 4" and 6.5" both with square butts. A 3" round butt model was made as the Lew Horton limited edition. I guess someone either had a smith convert a 4" to RB configuration or swapped the 3" tube for a 4" barrel on a Horton special.
Here's my 4" 24-3 (with a square butt).
Here's my 4" 24-3 (with a square butt).
BluesBear
member
In 1984 I ordered two of them for officers on my department. It took me over a year to get them. Much to my surprise they both came with round butts.
The officers refused them because of this. I had a devil of a time selling them.
Back then no one wanted a 4" round butt .44 Special.
The officers refused them because of this. I had a devil of a time selling them.
Back then no one wanted a 4" round butt .44 Special.
That guy: Had a 4" 24-3 with a square butt, new. All the 24-3s were SQ Butt until the Lew Horton 3"ers. Then Smith began producing a 3" rd butt.
Check the serrations on the rear of the grip frame. If they are missing where the frame starts to curve then it's a modification. Most Gunsmiths refuse to attempt to put those serrations back on after they have altered the weapon to RB configuration.
Another thing about your pic is the gun has Spegel grips which would lead me to believe an "afficianado" probably had it round butted and ordered some expensive Spegels to complete the pkg.
PERSONALLY: I'D BUY IT AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO MAJOR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE WEAPON!
Check the serrations on the rear of the grip frame. If they are missing where the frame starts to curve then it's a modification. Most Gunsmiths refuse to attempt to put those serrations back on after they have altered the weapon to RB configuration.
Another thing about your pic is the gun has Spegel grips which would lead me to believe an "afficianado" probably had it round butted and ordered some expensive Spegels to complete the pkg.
PERSONALLY: I'D BUY IT AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO MAJOR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE WEAPON!
BluesBear
member
Beats me, thatguy. In hindsight the only explaination I can think of is that they had some round butt frames left over.
Or it was an experiment.
Or perhaps somebody just goofed like the day they rollmarked Model of 1950 on the 25-2 barrels.
I gave up on S&W logic long ago.
Or it was an experiment.
Or perhaps somebody just goofed like the day they rollmarked Model of 1950 on the 25-2 barrels.
I gave up on S&W logic long ago.
The greater probability is that the recently auctioned revolver was altered by a gunsmith. However it should be remembered that S&W serial numbered frames prior to them being built into guns. So if some were left over from a previous run, and there were standing orders on the books for 4-inch model 24’s it is quite possible they used some round-butt frames to make the revolvers that BluesBear got. The only way to know for sure would be to know the serial number(s) and obtain a factory letter from Roy Jinks. Some strange guns have come out of Springfield when odd-lots of parts were being used up. 
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