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Thanks, sorry Dave my younger son has already laid claim to it LOL. Yes the barrel is marked properly on the left side. I'd guess the original customizer shortened a model 24 barrel from both ends to get the markings centered. The friend I got it from had it reblued so everything matches perfectly. It was pretty cloudy out this morning so this was a quick pic indoors with the obvious flash. I'll get a better one tomorrow when we're supposed to have nicer weather.
I was wondering if they ever made factory snub barrels for the 24, or is that barrel even shorter that a standard snub?
I always wanted a custom Smith but every time I go over to the S&W forum they convince me that customs have no resale value. And I’m one who could never take a perfectly good Smith and slice it up, even if I knew it would be nice when done. Someday I’ll find one laying on a table and buy it just for fun.
A Jovino. Now there is a find. Almost a cultish following of his work.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big E3
In 1983 Lew Horton Distributing arranged with S&W to bring out a 3" round butt gun, product code 100787. It's reported that 5000 were made (24-3 models which meant the pinned barrel design was no longer used). From 1985-'87 Smith produced another 5000 or so in the stainless 624, product code 103583 for the first 100 that had special laser engraving denoting a special edition, product code 103580 was the product code for the remaining run.
Both of these are out there, usually from $800 on the very low end (no box, sometimes without the Combat Stocks that were standard) up to $1200-$1400 depending on the accessories and condition. Not really that hard to find if you want to drop that kind of coin.
Those guns shouldn't be confused with the 24-6 brought out in 2007 which have a 3" barrel, square butt frame and the internal lock (despised by most of us old farts LOL).
Jovino's did mark some of their guns "Effector" though most are not. Most Jovino guns, like mine, are a tad under 3". Austin Behlert was also doing a similar conversion at the time though every one I've seen has his name on it somewhere.
The first time I became aware of them was in 1978 when I met a federal official that had one made up from the shop with a gun shipped directly to Jovino's from S&W. There was a gun writer a number of years ago, Leroy Thompson, that I believe was one of the first to write about them. I've found other articles he's written-as late as 8/16 so I guess he's still around-was a real "been there, done that" kind of guy, haven't found any of his article's about them. If I wanted to drop $75 bucks for a S&W historical letter and wait 6 months I could find out if this one shipped there but frankly at this point in time I'm not doing so.
Marine24, yup, even without being able to prove the provenance I do believe it's one of them as it matches perfectly with every other one I've seen. I was offered a .45acp version last summer but at the time I had other expenses to deal with. Today, well, life is too short to shoot ugly guns LOL.
Thanks Doc, good info. I have been collecting K and J frames for some time and have just developed a new interest in N frames. As usual with Smith’s there’s a lot to learn, and I know you are a good source, so I will pick your brain every chance I get. Thanks again.
A few additions to add to the collection. From left to right, ThruNite TN12, Atactical A1, and Revtronic LED:
https://s7.postimg.org/hj7eba7zf/IMG_5316.jpg
https://s7.postimg.org/eqe6r97mz/IMG_5317.jpg
Holy, hell. New windshield?
Yeah, after the state patrol hassled me about it, I didn't want to tempt fate any more. I paid too much, but whatever, at least it's done. I'll probably hit a deer on my way to Omaha tomorrow morning. Sigh