quote:

I was actually thinking about selling it

DON'T SELL IT mikeyjsc - you'll never find another 28-1.
They're tough to find. Enjoy it

1973 version # N114xxx

Here's mine. It's a great shooter, but i leave it mostly in the safe.



Swissman

My Highway Patrolman was my second gun, if I blew the dust off my memories right. It's sort of funny now to recall that my intention at the time included getting my then-wife to like shooting. Instead of the six-inch K-22 that I bought soon after, I decided in my youthful way that a really heavy .38 wadcutter gun was the answer. Of course, a six-inch Model 28 is a little much for a petite woman with small hands, and the experiment, at least that part of it, failed.
No matter, because 35 years later, the 28's still here. It doesn't get shot too much any more, since for .36 caliber shooting I tend to prefer a Python. The double-action pull on this one was never the greatest and didn't respond to tuning attempts, so I put it back to original and just left it at that.
I also recall that my fourth attempt or so at organized pistol competition found me on the line of a steel plate match with the 28 and a belt full of HKS speedloaders. My respect goes out to the folks who've mastered those things, but I never did, leaving fresh ammunition frequently spread around on the ground or in the carrier. Since Safariland doesn't make their superb CompIIs or -IIIs for the N and I don't see the point of getting it moonclipped, it just remains as it always was.
It came as you see it here, with the exception of the orginal Magnas. Since I couldn't shoot the thing with the Magnas and bought these goncalo alves targets immediately, that's to me the real original appearance.
The serial number is 1072XX and I seem to recall that I bought it new at Bell's in Franklin Park, IL in November, 1973, for the princely sum of $140.00 plus tax.
There's no telling how many rounds have gone down the tube, but I'd guess it's an easy 30,000, the huge majority of them the old Hornady 158gr. swaged semi-wadcutters we used to get from the old Gander Mountain on Wilmot Road. I never did cast my own .357 slugs back in the day, saving that effort for .45s.
Ironically, if I could have any new Smith I could dream up, it would be a four-inch Highway Patrolman, in .44 Special or .45 Auto. Not a Highway Patrolman if it's a big bore you say? I say the HP has its own distinct personality, more workaday and lunchbucket-plain, and that's how I'd like my new one. I just like the bigger holes.

quote:

Originally posted by machinisttx:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by SmithNut:

You don't happen to remember the serial # range that nickel gun was in do you? I have a very low(under N2K) serial # M28 that was either satin nickeled or plated with something else at some point. Some fool painted it black at some point. It's in the pic below, cleaned up as best I could. On the left, second from the top.

Here are the serial numbers of the ten known 28-2s finished in brushed nickel. These are from a very reliable source.

Seven in...N38XXX range
One.........N39XXX
One.........N40XXX
One.........N41XXX

Don't know if the one Smithnut shows is in that bunch or not.

These guns were each shipped appox. July, 1972.
HTH

Took my Model 28-2 out last night. Was surprised to learn that it is pinned and recessed.

An old friend needed some quick cash and I needed another S&W like I need another hole in my head....But obliged anyway! 28-2 6" 1974 New!

Here is my 28-2, with all the HP's on here no wonder you can't find one at the store or shows.

Allen Frame - where is that new 28 2.5"er you were getting?

Another S&W Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman.

I have acquired someone's safe king.......a NIB model 28-2 with box, serial number N26,7XX. Would this be 1969 vintage? It didn't even have a cylinder drag mark until I lubed it with break free and dry fired it a number of times. Not a mark on it. I'm delighted. I will, however, be shooting it. Most guns, to me, especially a Highway Patrolman, are meant to be used. I would have loved to carry this on the job in the 70's and 80's, although I didn't mind the model 10 I did carry.
Now it needs a brother model 27!

Gerry

Hey Gerry,
Sweet looking Highway Patrolman.Looks to be about 1971 vintage.I bet you're going to find it to be an awesome shooter.
Rick

M28 no dash. 1960. According to the box it should have diamond target grips..I think. I'm going to get it lettered.

My dad's 28-2 pinned and recessed,N7344 he bought new in 69 or 70.He used it to take a black bear.It fell overboard in Lake Michigan in 1971,with out blinking an eye,he dove in,and did not come out till he had retrieved it.After he passed on,I sold it to pay the bills in 1980.Bought it back from the same fellow in 1991(for 3 times what I sold it for),sat in the holster loaded in his closet untouched for 11 years.This pistol,like most my Smiths can out shoot me.My son is going to try and take a deer with it this season.Used but not abused,a fine revolver!

model 28-? N292373, bought new in 1974 , red sights , target grips 4 inch ,