Chapter IX
COMMEMORATIVES & SPECIALS
This section contains information on special issue, commemorative, and other limited edition guns. Information on many of these will also be found in the sections on the Numbered Models.
CONTENTS
CLUB GUNS ZERO SERIAL NUMBERS
Club guns are those whose serial number begins in zero.
They were assembled by S&W for presentations or for gifts. Many went to shooting clubs for prizes in shooting matches, hence the club gun name. It has been speculated that some club guns may have been assembled from remaining parts in inventory some time after a particular gun had been discontinued.
It is believed about 50 club guns were made over the years for the Wesson family, with the serial number of each being the single digit 0. Production of around 700 other club guns has been estimated, and each of these would have a multiple digit serial number beginning with 0.
Club Gun “0” serial number, Jim Supica photo.
COMMEMORATIVES
The following is a partial list of commemoratives. These are decorated collector guns and should not be confused with the carry issue gun of commemorated departments. More details may be found under the model number listed for the particular commemorative. Due to the limited numbers made, and the sometimes restricted initial distribution, detailed pricing information is not available on many of these. Additional information would be most appreciated. In trying to determine a price, a buyer or seller should assess the number made, the extent of decoration, the issue price, and the regional demand. To bring the full value, commemoratives should be unfired and preferably unturned with all original packaging material.
AUCTION BLOCK
Commemorative gun prices can vary widely at auction, and may not be a reliable indicator of “market” value. Nonetheless, where we have seen a particular model sell at auction in recent years, we will note the price and date in parentheses after the listing. Most of these sales were at Rock Island Auction or Faintich Auction sales:
• Alaska 25th Anniversary Model 29
• Alaska Silver Anniversary Model 29 with Statue
• Alaska Iditarod Model 629
• Arizona Highway Patrol 50th Model 66
• Burlington Northern Railroad Police Model 686
• Calgary Police (Canada) Model 10
• California Highway Patrol Model 19 and 68
• Chicago Police Model 66 ($357, 1999 Auction)
• Connecticut State Police Model 39
• Dallas Police Department 100th Model 66
• Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Model 19
• Fairfax VA Police Model 60
• Fraternal Order of Police Model 19
• F.B.I. Commemorative Model 27
• Georgia State Patrol Model 26
• Immigration & Naturalization Service Model 586
• Indiana State Police Model 66
• Iowa Highway Patrol Model 66
• IPSC 10th Model 745
• IRS-CID Model 15
• Bill Jordan Model 19
• Kansas Highway Patrol Model 586
• Elmer Keith Model 29
• Kentucky Coal Operations Model 66
• Kentucky State Police Model 19
• City of Los Angeles 200th Model 19
• Maine Warden Commission Model 66
• Maine State Police 120th Model 586
• Maryland State Police Model 19
• Massachusetts Police Model 36
• Massachusetts State Police 120th Model 586
• Minnesota State Patrol Model 66
• Missouri Department of Conservation Model 586
• Missouri Highway Patrol 50th Model 66
• Missouri State Highway Patrol Model 60
• Montana Centennial Model 25
• Montana Highway Patrol 44th Anniversary Model 66
• National Association of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealers Model 459
• National Police Revolver Championship Model 586
• Nebraska State Police 50th Model 586
• New Mexico Highway Patrol Model 586
• New Mexico State Police Model 19
• New York State Conservation Model 19
• North Carolina Highway Patrol Model 29
• Ohio Highway Patrol Model 10
• Oklahoma City Police Dept. Model 66
• Oklahoma Highway Patrol Model 64-1
• Oklahoma City Police Dept. Capt. Dan Combs commemorative Model 686
• Oregon State Police Model 19
• General Patton Model 586
• Pennsylvania Game Commission 100th Model 586
• Pennsylvania State Police Model 19
• Richard Petty Model 25
• Prince William County Police Dept. Model 19
• Prince William County Police 20th Model 586
• S&W 125th Model 25 ($517, Auction 2000)
• S&W Collectors Assoc. 25th Anniversary Model 29
• South Carolina Highway Patrol Model 66
• Springfield Armory Bicentennial Model 625
• Tennessee Highway Patrol Model 19
• Texas Department of Public Safety Model 27
• Texas Ranger 150th Anniversary Model 19
• Texas Wagon Train Commemoratives Model 544
• Tulsa Police Department Model 66
• U.S. Border Patrol Model 66
• U.S. Custom Dept. Model 19
• U.S. Marshall Bicentennial Model 4516-1
• U.S. Secret Service Model 19
• U.S. Treasury Model 686-3
• Virginia Game Warden Model 66
• Virginia State Police Model 66
• Virginia State Police 55th Anniversary Model 60
• Washington (D.C.) Metropolitan Police Model 10
• Washington State Police Model 28
• Washington State Penitentiary Model 19
• West Virginian State Police Model 19 First Editions
• Wyoming Centennial Model 29
• .357 Magnum 50th Year Model 27
FIRST EDITIONS
During the 1980s there was a practice of giving special factory serial numbers to new models being introduced. A limited number of the first production of a new model would be specially engraved with authenticity certificates.
• Limited Edition Model 24: fifty done in nickel
• Limited Edition Model 624: twenty-five made
• Limited Edition Model 645: twenty-five made
• Limited Edition Model 745: unknown quantity
• Limited Edition Model 639: unknown quantity
• Limited Edition Model 669: unknown quantity
• Limited Edition Model 649: one hundred(?) made
• Limited Edition Model 422: fifteen made
THE “TWELVE REVOLVERS”
Manufactured in 1990 by S&W for Ellett Bros. of Chapin, South Carolina, this series of 12 different guns was sold by subscription, with a different gun offered each month. The firearms each have an action scene engraved on the sideplate and were sequentially numbered from one to 500. Each was created with a special theme based on the early S&W advertising paintings. Each set of twelve revolvers was delivered with a special calendar book that featured color artwork of each revolver for that month. However, this series was never fully completed by S&W due to a parting of the business relationship. The author does not have further details on the number of full sets completed. The Twelve Revolvers are found in full and broken sets. Delivered with the older style two-piece box with metal corners
The Twelve Revolvers. Photo courtesy Old Town Station.
THE TWELVE REVOLVERS INCLUDE:
January Edition: “The Hostiles”
Model 29 with a 8-3/8” barrel with blue finish, .500” target hammer, .400” serrated target trigger, checkered target stocks, red ramp front sight with white outline rear, with a scene from “Hostiles” and so lettered. Product code 101207.
February Edition: “With The Wolfhounds”
Model 686 with a 6” barrel with stainless finish, .375” semi-target hammer, .312” smooth combat trigger, smooth target stocks, black pinned ramp front sight with black blade rear, with a scene from “With the Wolfhounds” and so lettered. Product code 104233.
March Edition: “Mountain Lion”
Model 629 with a 4” barrel with stainless finish, .400” semi-target hammer, .312” smooth combat trigger, black pinned ramp front sight with black blade rear, round butt, smooth combat stocks, with a scene from “Mountain Lion” and so lettered. Product code 103634.
April Edition: “Critical Moment”
Model 66 with a 6” barrel with stainless finish, .500” target hammer, .400” serrated trigger, smooth target stocks, red ramp front sight with white outline rear, with a scene from “Critical Moment” and so lettered. Product code 102708.
May Edition: “The Last Cartridge”
Model 57 with a 6” barrel with blue finish, .500” target hammer, .400” serrated trigger, red ramp front sight with white outline rear, target stocks, with a scene from “Last Cartridge” and so lettered. Product code 102203.
June Edition: “The Revolver”
Model 17 with a 6” full lug barrel with nickel finish with .500” target hammer, .400” serrated trigger, red post pinned front sight with black blade rear, target stocks, with a scene from “The Revolver” and so lettered. Product code 100572.
July Edition: “Through The Line”
Model 24-4 with a 6-1/2” barrel with blue finish, .375” semi-target hammer, .265” serrated service trigger, serrated black ramp front sight with black blade rear, checkered target stocks, with a scene from “Through the Line” and so lettered. Product code 100750.
August Edition: “The Last Stand”
Model 14 with a 8-3/8” barrel with nickel finish, .500” target hammer, .400” serrated trigger, red post Patridge front sight with black blade rear, with a scene from “Last Stand” and so lettered. Product code 100311.
September Edition: “Outnumbered”
Model 27 with a 7” barrel with blue finish, a counterbored cylinder, gold bead Patridge front sight with black blade rear, .375” semi-target hammer, .265” serrated service trigger, with a scene from Outnumbered and so lettered. Product code 100999.
October Edition: “The Attack”
Model 29 with a 7-1/2” full lug barrel with blue finish, .500” target hammer, .400” serrated target trigger, red ramp front sight with white outline rear notch, smooth combat stocks, with a scene from “The Attack” and so lettered. Product code 101207.
November Edition: “The Horse Thief”
Model 25-5 with an 8-3/8” barrel with blue finish in .45 Colt caliber, .500” target hammer, .400” serrated trigger, checkered target stocks, red ramp front sight with white outline rear, with a scene from “The Horse Thief” and so lettered. Product code 100905.
December Edition: “Hands Off”
Model 19 with a 6” barrel with nickel finish, .375” semi-target hammer, .265” serrated service trigger, black post front sight with black blade rear, with a scene from “Hands Off” and so lettered. Product code 100730.
Twelve Revolver Set
NIB: $6000. Individual revolvers may bring a slight premium over what a standard model would bring, either for their collectability, or for their unusual combination of features.
PRICE CHECK
Set of 12 revolvers, “as new in box,” listed at $5,950 -ArmchairGunShow.com, 2005.Lew Horton Specials
SPECIALS MADE FOR LEW HORTON DISTRIBUTORS BY SMITH & WESSON.
Some are also Performance Center guns. Most are listed in detail in the main catalog section or with other Performance Center guns but are accumulated here for easy reference.
• Model 10-7 Heritage Series case color 178006, 2001.
• Model PC-13: .357: 400 mfd., 170059 & 170063, 1995.
• Model 15-8: .38 Spl Product Code 149185, 2000.
• Model 15-8 Heritage Series, Case Color, 178009, 2001.
• Model 15-8 Heritage Series, Nickel, 178008, 2001.
• Model 15-9 Heritage Series, McGivern Nickel 170217, 2001.
• Model 15-9 Heritage Series, McGivern Case Color 170216, 2001.
• Model 15-9 Heritage Series, McGivern Blue 170199, 2001.
• Model 19: 75 mfd., Product Code: 100701, 1995.
• Model 24-3: 5,000 mfd., 1983-1984..
• Model 24-5: Heritage Series Blue 170185, 2001.
• Model 25-11: Heritage Series, 170186, 2001.
• Model 25-12: Heritage Series, Blue, 170197, 2001.
• Model 25-12: Heritage Series, Case color, 170211, 2001.
• Model 27-6: Classic series, Blue 170151, 1999.
• Model 29: Cal-.44 Magnum, Product Code: 101224, 1984.
• Model 29-3 The Classic Hunter: Run of 5,000, 101230, 1987.
• Model 29-9: Heritage Series, 6-1/2” Blue, 170213, 2002.
• Model 29-9: Heritage Series, 6-1/2” Nickel 170214, 2002.
• Model 36: Second Amendment Issue 300 Mfd.
• Model 60-10: .357 Magnum 3" Full Lug AS, 1996.
• Model 60-10: .357 Magnum 3" Full Lug AS, 1997.
• Model 60: Carry Comp: 300 mfd., Product Code: 170029, 1993.
• Model 63: 500 mfg., 2" Product Code: 102405, 1989.
• Model 65: .357 F Comp: 300 mfd., Product Code: 170024, 1993.
• Model 66-5: 2-1/2" w/Blue Cylinder 149188, 2000.
• Model 610-1: 300 Mfd. 3" barrel, RB 148120, 1998.
• Model 624-2: Lew Horton Special: 5,000 mfd., 1985-87.
• Model 625-4: Springfield Armory Bicentennial: 100931, 1994.
• Model 625-6: 6", slabside barrel 170081, 1997.
• Model 625-7: 3” 148121, 1998.
• Model 627-2: 5", 8 shot, 170089, 1997-98.
• Model 627-3: Defense Revolver 2-5/8" 170133, 1999.
• Model 627-2: 6", 149140, 2000.
• Model 629-3: The Classic Hunter I, 170008, 1992.
• Model 629-3: 3" Carry Comp. 170012, 1992.
• Model 629-3: The Classic Hunter II: 600 mfd., 170046, 1992.
• Model 629-1: 3" Stainless Combat Magnum: 103610, 1985.
• Model 629-4: 6" Light Hunter 170056, 1995.
• Model 629-3: Carry Comp II: 100 mfd., 1993.
• Model 629-4: Classic Hunter III 170046, 1996.
• Model 629-5: 2-5/8" Defensive Revolver 170135, 1999.
• Model 629-5: 12" Extreme Hunter 170157, 2000.
• Model 640 Special: Paxton Quigley: 150 mfd., 1994.
• Model 640 Special: Carry Comp: 23 oz., 150 mfd., 170042, 1993.
• Model 640-1: 5 shot, 2-1/8" 170068/1996; 170078, 1999.
• Model 649-1: .357 Magnum Eagle Grips, 1997.
• Model 651: 2".
• Model 657: The .41 Magnum Classic Hunter: 2,000 mfd., 103820, 1991.
• Model 657-4: 2-5/8" Defensive Revolver, 170134, 1999.
• Model 681-4: 3" w/Quadra Port 170080 1996 Model 686 Magnum Comp: 3", 350 mfd., 1992.
• Model 686 Carry Comp: 4", 1994.
• Model 686 Competitor: 6" slabside, 170015, 1994.
• Model 686-4: 7 shot, 6" 170103, 1998.
• Model 696: 5 shot, 3" Mag-Na-Port, 1997.
• Model 940 Special: .356 TSW 300 mfd., P170047, 1994.
• Model 3566: 3-1/2" 12SH AS Shorty 170027, 1993; 5" 15SH AS Limited 170032 1993; 4-1/4" 12SH AS Compact 170052, 1994.
• Model Shorty 9 MK III, 1997.
• S&W Shorty Forty: 500 mfd., three production runs: 1992 (1995 called Mk III) 170011; 1993; 1995.
• Shorty Forty MKIII 170061, 1997.
• S&W Tactical Forty: Limited production, 170020, 1993.
• S&W Compensated Forty: Limited production of 150, 1992.
• Shorty 45, 1997.
• Model 4596: c. 500 mfd., 104490, 1990.
• Model 5906: PC-9, 1990.
• Model 5967: 103048, 1990.