Well, I never thought I would discover a pre model 28-but, here it is! The serial number is #11106x. It wasn't fired much and was carried just enough to cause only a touch of wear at the muzzle and around the frontal edges of the cylinder. The original bluing is great. Mechanically it is nearly as tight as a new gun. Unfortunately, the original owner didn't have the diamond magna's to pass on to me-Grrr? But, the smooth target stocks look very nice! Here are some pictures-despite the fact that I'm certainly no photographer!:

Very Nice, EARLY HP!
Congrats! I like the target stocks too.

Wow - that's nice! Its a twin to my very first ever handgun, right down to the smooth targets. I gave it away to my college roommate as a wedding present - wish I had it back, he's probably divorced by now.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Since I'm located in Kalifornia, this early(1954)HP was very hard to find. This is the first one I'd ever seen in my area gun shops-so, I just couldn't pass on buying it.

First year production, four-inch barrel -- very desirable and very nice! Too bad you didn't get the diamond magnas, but it's not that big a loss. I like target stocks on K and N frames, and your smooth targets look just fine. If you want diamond magnas, just keep an eye out for a set numbered in the 100000 to 150000 range (closer if you can get there), and they'll work just fine.

Excellent score!

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David Wilson

Thanks for the advice on the diamond magnas-and for the compliment! Since my post didn't garner very many responses, I thought that I must have picked up a "Dud" of an early HP!

That is a real beauty, a very lucky find indeed. I like the smooth targets as well.

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Birds like shiny new toys too.

Very, very nice piece. The exhibition target grips are time period appropriate and look very good on that N frame. Congrats on your find.

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Doug

Hey, you guys have me smiling now!

Great looking gun! Congratulations!

Ya done good.