The ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.including N frame ser# ranges

Here is my Highway Patrolman, 1954

Brace of 28-2s Came in Rapid Succession!

I've enjoyed reading and viewing the above posts!

I bought both of these this month;
the 1973* example (with Herret "RM" stocks) was purchased two weeks ago
and the 1980* NYSP bought just yesterday.
(Not to worry, in week 2, I bought a Ruger Speed Six!)

-Bill



My modest additions are my only two HPs:

1973 (N59883) & 1980 (N565629)


*Dates shipped are per Roy Jinks.

Here is one for the list: A 4" 28-3 serial # AJK37XX

I have a 4" 5 screw pre28 HP. Serial S1265XX. My rooky guesstimate from the Bible numbers was '55 or '56. I see you place it '54 or '55. Thanks for putting this information together.

texgun53 said:

Here is my Highway Patrolman, 1954

Click to expand...

Nice stocks on that. Classy piece of equipment you have there.

I’ll add my 28-2 and ask a question. Can someone tell me if the SAT would have come with the gun originally. The reason I ask is because it isn’t in the sealed bag with the other tools. Thanks.

Any one have a 1962 HP that wants to relocate

This one is first-year; April/May of 1954. Ser# S1111xx

What the heck is this N-frame?

Hey yall,


Newbie here, just got my first revolver, inherited from my 80-y/o Colorado game warden uncle, who inherited it from his (uncle? dad?) when he started working as a warden in the early 1960s.



I can't figure out what this gun is - help!


It's a S&W 38/357, and my uncle told me it was a highway patrol-issue unit, however, the S/N and the specs don't seem to line up?


I am pretty sure its a pre-HP (/FHP?) model 28 N-frame, serial # S 103214. From a different forum (1911 forum) I've found that to be a late 1954-early 1955 s/n, pre-HP? This serial # is stamped on the butt, the cylinder, and the body inside the cylinder area. (Sorry, I don't know all my gun terms!)



Also to confuse further, this gun has a 5" barrel, cylinder-to-muzzle. It does not say 'highway patrolman' or anything else on the gun, however, there is a second number stamped on the cylinder arm and on the frame that reads '23260'



Anybody know the scoop on these non-FHP, pre-HP 5" N-frames? Is it a model 28? What is this gun?

I know there's lots of chatter about pins and screws on these forums, but I don't know what screws or pins those reference.





Also, anyone have any clue what the value on this might be? This revolver doesn't really fit my needs (I'm a backcountry hunter and backpacking guide, and this is a bulky, heavy gun!) and I'm considering selling it at some point. The bluing is in exceptional condition, and it's been fired very little - maybe 200 rounds - since my uncle took ownership of it in 1961.






Pics attached, and in the album here: n-frame serial # S 103214 - Google Photos


Thanks! Help a newbie out!

airhunger said:

Hey yall,


Newbie here, just got my first revolver, inherited from my 80-y/o Colorado game warden uncle, who inherited it from his (uncle? dad?) when he started working as a warden in the early 1960s.



I can't figure out what this gun is - help!


It's a S&W 38/357, and my uncle told me it was a highway patrol-issue unit, however, the S/N and the specs don't seem to line up?


I am pretty sure its a pre-HP (/FHP?) model 28 N-frame, serial # S 103214. From a different forum (1911 forum) I've found that to be a late 1954-early 1955 s/n, pre-HP? This serial # is stamped on the butt, the cylinder, and the body inside the cylinder area. (Sorry, I don't know all my gun terms!)



Also to confuse further, this gun has a 5" barrel, cylinder-to-muzzle. It does not say 'highway patrolman' or anything else on the gun, however, there is a second number stamped on the cylinder arm and on the frame that reads '23260'



Anybody know the scoop on these non-FHP, pre-HP 5" N-frames? Is it a model 28? What is this gun?

I know there's lots of chatter about pins and screws on these forums, but I don't know what screws or pins those reference.





Also, anyone have any clue what the value on this might be? This revolver doesn't really fit my needs (I'm a backcountry hunter and backpacking guide, and this is a bulky, heavy gun!) and I'm considering selling it at some point. The bluing is in exceptional condition, and it's been fired very little - maybe 200 rounds - since my uncle took ownership of it in 1961.






Pics attached, and in the album here: n-frame serial # S 103214 - Google Photos


Thanks! Help a newbie out!

Click to expand...

It looks like a 5 screw model 27 or pre-model 27 to me. The model 28
does not have checkering on the top strap or the high polish finish. Your
gun has both of these, plus it has a 5 inch barrel. The 28 was normally available in 4 or 6 inch only.

airhunger said:

Hey yall,


Newbie here, just got my first revolver, inherited from my 80-y/o Colorado game warden uncle, who inherited it from his (uncle? dad?) when he started working as a warden in the early 1960s.



I can't figure out what this gun is - help!


It's a S&W 38/357, and my uncle told me it was a highway patrol-issue unit, however, the S/N and the specs don't seem to line up?


I am pretty sure its a pre-HP (/FHP?) model 28 N-frame, serial # S 103214. From a different forum (1911 forum) I've found that to be a late 1954-early 1955 s/n, pre-HP? This serial # is stamped on the butt, the cylinder, and the body inside the cylinder area. (Sorry, I don't know all my gun terms!)



Also to confuse further, this gun has a 5" barrel, cylinder-to-muzzle. It does not say 'highway patrolman' or anything else on the gun, however, there is a second number stamped on the cylinder arm and on the frame that reads '23260'



Anybody know the scoop on these non-FHP, pre-HP 5" N-frames? Is it a model 28? What is this gun?

I know there's lots of chatter about pins and screws on these forums, but I don't know what screws or pins those reference.





Also, anyone have any clue what the value on this might be? This revolver doesn't really fit my needs (I'm a backcountry hunter and backpacking guide, and this is a bulky, heavy gun!) and I'm considering selling it at some point. The bluing is in exceptional condition, and it's been fired very little - maybe 200 rounds - since my uncle took ownership of it in 1961.






Pics attached, and in the album here: n-frame serial # S 103214 - Google Photos


Thanks! Help a newbie out!

Click to expand...

It's an early Pre M27, known as The .357 Magnum, the follow-on to the Registered Magnum. Model numbers weren't assigned until around 1957. The M27 is S&W's Cadillac revolver in .357 Magnum. The M28 is a less-finished version, made to sell for less to law enforcement. Early guns had 5 screws, then the screw nearest the top of the side plate was deleted, making it a 4-screw gun, then the one in front of the trigger guard, and from there on they were all 3-screw guns. Yours is an absolute peach, looks like the cylinder stop turn line is the only mark on it. Originally, 3-1/2 and 5" barrels were available, the 5" was dropped in 1979. 4", 6" and 8-3/8" were available sometime in the early model numbered years. SCSW doesn't mention a value for a Exc or VGC 5-screw gun but does mention a 4-screw is double what a 3 screw brings, around $2K for ANIB condition, and mentions a premium for 5" barrels.

The number "23260" is a production number to keep fitted parts together while the gun was on the assembly line. You'd find similar numbers on the butt frame, yoke, cylinder and inside the barrel shroud. The "pins and screws" relates to the collectibility and era of manufacture. I explained the screws; the pinned barrel was deleted in 1982, and the recessed cylinder (the case rims fit flush into recesses in the rear of the charge holes) at the same approximate time. Those are hallmarks of Magnum revolvers made up to the early '80s and are worth more to collectors. Yours would be somebody's Holy Grail gun.

Just a SWAG, I'd say easily worth $2K+ by itself, and much more with the box, tools and paperwork. Given the family history behind it, I wouldn't part with it for 10x that, if it were mine. It would make an excellent carry when guiding, get yourself a chest carry rig; they don't interfere with pack straps the weight is carried off your hip and out of the way.

28-2 S283

Former small town cops gun. 1966. Not sure if it shipped with RR WO.

Circa 1976 (I think) HPM wearing Ken’s (aka bigmtnman) elk grips. [emoji4]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for bringing this thread back up. I have a 28 lined up and now I know it was shipped 1961-1962. A friend settled for this one but actually wanted a 5" model 27. He found one so it looks like I'll be heating with firewood this winter. No big deal, did that for 42 years and who knows? might be the new normal anyway.

Early highway patrolman

I was left this highway patrolman by my father in law recently. Serial is S111xxx which I think means it’s from the first year or two. Just wanted to get some ideas on how much it’s worth and cleaning it up and keeping it in good shape.

Scifo said:

I was left this highway patrolman by my father in law recently. Serial is S111xxx which I think means it’s from the first year or two. Just wanted to get some ideas on how much it’s worth and cleaning it up and keeping it in good shape.

Click to expand...

Condition makes a pretty big difference in value and that is hard to judge...
Is that a nickel finish or just a lot of reflection in the pics?

Most any Nframe will bring 600 or more right now.

A10 said:

Condition makes a pretty big difference in value and that is hard to judge...
Is that a nickel finish or just a lot of reflection in the pics?

Most any Nframe will bring 600 or more right now.

Click to expand...

Yes it’s nickel I haven’t seen many with that finish. It seems to be in good shape mechanically just has a lot of wear and tear a few spots of surface rust. He kept it in his nightstand for 40 years and shot it a few times a year.

Scifo said:

Yes it’s nickel I haven’t seen many with that finish. It seems to be in good shape mechanically just has a lot of wear and tear a few spots of surface rust. He kept it in his nightstand for 40 years and shot it a few times a year.

Click to expand...

She looks kinda rough, no doubt an old after market nickel job. The screws look a little boogered too...really nice grips though! Were it me I'd keep it in the family, you're not going to get much for it selling. 5 or 6 maybe.

N229 6" and N550 4".