Lew Horton Special

[bsheets20061]

I picked up a nice smith and wesson 686-3 Lew Horton special 2 1/2 inch barrel, gun came in its original box and appears to be brand new still unfired.

I am not very familiar with the Lew Horton Specials I've heard of the previously but never owned one until now.

Is there any differance in a lew horton special compared to any other smith revolver? If so does the differance reflect in value or collectability? Any information will be much appreciated. thank you in advance for your time

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lew Horton is one of the dealers who order special orders of limited edition handguns from S&W. (Talo, AccuSport and Camfour being a few others) The guns are not the same as regular catalog guns and can be very different or as simple as a different length barrel than offered by S&W.

As for them being collectable, sure they will be more scarce because they are by their nature a limited edition and are usually extremely well made and customized.

 

[pendennis]

Lew Horton had this group of Model 24-3's made by S&W in the mid-1980's. Round butts, combat stocks, 3" barrels. As ArchAngelCD noted, they have special orders produced, and can demand special features, that "Joe Wholesaler" can't ask for. Even used, they command a premium over standard S&W models.

This one was bought at a local gun show, but had "ivory" stocks on it. I happened to have a set of period correct combat stocks, and that's what it sports now.

 

[JellyJar]

I had one of those 24-3s once. I had to sell it in the mid 90s to pay bills.

 

[1KPerDay]

Good heavens, that's sexy.

 

[riddleofsteel]

I had a Lew Horton 610-3 10mm/.40 S&W about 15 years ago. I sold it during a financial crisis CHEAP. Same gun goes for over $1000.00 now.



One of the ones that got away.

:banghead:

 

[rjrivero]

There's a Lew Horton 686 in this picture.
Left to right:
686 (no dash) (Lew Horton), 66-5LS, 631LS (no dash), 60-18

 

[bsheets20061]

Mine is identical to the ss 686 pictured

 

[wgp]

I once owned a Lew Horton .41 mag, 3" round butt. It was a handful to shoot and I sold it. Re your question about differences from regular S&W revolvers, it was of course an N-frame gun but as I recall the grip was the L-frame size, a bit smaller than the regular N-frame grip.

 

[splithoof]

If you are lucky enough to have a LH, keep it.

 

[Deaf Smith]

View attachment 618637

Yep and I have one of those .44 Specials just like in the picture. Same grips to. Paid $625 or so, tax included.

And let me tell you, 15 yards off hand, single action with 'cowboy loads' all shots in about the size of a quarter! Dead on to!

Deaf

 

[MMCSRET]

I picked up a LH 624, box, papers, spare grips, etc. I emailed Lew Horton with the data from the gun and the box label and received a very nice, informative reply and verification. 1985 production run of 5000.

 

[rikman]

Yep and I have one of those .44 Specials just like in the picture. Same grips to. Paid $625 or so, tax included.

And let me tell you, 15 yards off hand, single action with 'cowboy loads' all shots in about the size of a quarter! Dead on to!

Deaf

This 24-3 started my N frame addiction...I later got a 624 as well...these 44Spl's are fun and accurate !

 

[clem]

Lew Horton .44 Mag. 29-2, 3" barrel.
1985 1 of 5,000.

I had it refinished.