I have some questions, but I did not want to intrude on the Highway Patrolman thread. Tomorrow, I am going to look at a "5 screw factory nickel model 28" . If my research is correct, then the five screw phased out before the model number came in. So it can't be a model 28 five screw, right? And as far as the nickel goes, what should I be looking for? I know the extractor is supposed to be blue and the trigger and hammer should be color case hardened, but are there any markings or unique qualities on these that I should look for or run from?
At the end of the day I will probably take it just to have it, but they are asking a premium for the nickel and I don't want to pay a premium for what I suspect is a refinished gun. Any help you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated. And of course, if it follows me home I will post photos.
Thanks.

Beware the Nickel Highway Patrolman (Model numbered or otherwise). Take a look at the "Ultimate Highway Patrolman" thread. There were a very limited number produced (either bright or satin). None are known in 6", so if it is that barrel length, it is almost certainly a refinish. One version was for the Florida Highway Patrol (5" barrel, bright nickel) and the other was 4" brushed and are often referred to as "salesman's samples". If it doesn't fall into the documented SN ranges, I wouldn't buy it, period. If it did I would pay the extra if it was accompanied by a letter from Mr. Jinks or had other appropriate provenance, such as an affidavit from the FHP trooper who carried it and the bill of sale or other conveyance from the dept to him.

Others with a better memory for these facts will surely chime in, but their wisdom is already recorded in the above-mentioned thread.

Better still read the post by Doc-44 on this page

Authenticity of .357 Model 28-2 Highway Patrol Brushed Nickel finish

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I need ammo, not a ride.

digger, there were 5 screw model pre-28s, but they were all phased out in 1956 at serial number S171584. Now the problem is, a 28 was never nickeled before 1959 when they made the 25 bright nickel for the Florida Highway Patrol and all were 4-SCREW and all were 5" and all in the S189071 to S192687 serial number range. If the gun you are looking at does not fit in that criteria, it's a fake or should I say aftermarket re-finish with no collector value over the price of a shooter grade. DO NOT PAY A PREMIUM, at least I wouldn't, there are plenty more nice blue 28s out there to be had. Get back to me if you need more information.

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Dick

Gentlemen,
Thanks for the replies. Two things I am pretty sure of, after reading your responses and the linked thread, they do not know exactly what they have and it certainly isn't a factory nickled Highway Patrolman. But I am going to go see it now and find out for myself. If it is in decent shape, I will probably try to give a reasonable offer and provide it a new home. If that works out I will post pics here and in the Ultimate Thread as well.
Thanks again for clarifying this for me.

So, IF one has one of the 10 or 12 known satin nickel HP, documented by letter and 99% condition, what would such a thing be worth??

There were fifty-five Model 28-2s with a brushed nickel finish and four inch barrel shipped to about twenty distributors in July 1972. There was one for sale in Kansas City a couple of weeks ago that was about new in the box with accessories and paperwork. The asking price was slightly more than $4,000. The 28-2 shown below isn't the one for sale, but is one of the fifty-five.

Bill

First, Doc, that is a beautiful gun. It quickens my pulse just looking at the photo.
Second, I checked out the gun in question, it was a 28-2 with an N serial number. It had a case hardened hammer, dark extractor and blue trigger. It was filthy and the nickel was worn in places. But the barrel was in good shape and it felt pretty tight. It seemed mechanically fine, just butt ugly. I offered a couple of hundred dollars. We will see what comes of it. The gentleman is in need of cash badly, so I told him not to worry about me, if he could get a better offer, to go for it. We will see.

At that price (if you get it), you can't go wrong, even if the nickel is not factory original.

Bill

Doc, that is how I looked at it. Worst case scenario would be I wind up with a fair priced shooter. He also had a couple of shotguns. I will probably revisit those on Monday.

Well, I had no choice I had to rescue this pitiful revolver from it's desperate circumstances. It came with a Smith and Wesson holster for the princely sum of $200. I figured I could clean it up a little and then shoot the snot out of it with a clear conscience at that price. Now if I can figure out how, I will post a picture.

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Nice job posting a picture and nice 28. I've seen worse at twice that price - seriously. Did it come with the grips at that price?

Doesn't look like a 5-screw in the photos, likely a -2. The stocks on it are K-frame targets, you'll want to get some properly-fitting N-frame stocks for it. For $200, though, it's hard to go wrong. Assuming it's mechanically fine, you could get a refinish and stocks and have a decent N-frame shooter for under $500.

Thanks gentlemen. Yes it did come with those stocks and the holster, sorry I did not get a picture of that. It is definitely a 28-2, judging from the serial number it likely was produced around 1973 or so. At least as far as I can tell, I looked it up in the SCSW and that is what it looked like to me. The gun is mechanically pretty darn good. There is no endplay in the cylinder and it locks up tight. The screws on the sideplate were in great shape, I don't think anyone has ever really messed with them. The top of the frame where the side plate goes in is even straight and true. Anyone who has taken this gun apart has been careful and not buggered anything. I cleaned the bore and got nothing but dirt and dust, no powder residue or lead. Once I took the sideplate off, the internal parts were in great shape. They showed signs of wear, it is obvious that this has been shot a good bit, but they were not dirty, nor excessively lubricated. All in all I am pleased. The finish is really rough though. That will be a project for another day. I can't wait to get to the range and see what it does.
Here is a different photo with my other 28-2. This one was a gift from my father in law, it has some rust and pitting, but the bore is in good shape. And it is far more accurate than I am.

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is it hard chrome or nickel???

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i have been offered this in a trade for an AK

Welcome to the forum Doctor.
I'm no expert but from your pic it looks like nickel to me. The hammer and trigger looks like the ones in a stainless steel gun. That is a Highway Patroman?
You might get more answers if you start your own thread.

not really sure how yet!!

When you go into a forum section with the thread titles listed there is a New Thread button to the left of the page listing. Click on that button to start.

it is a highway patrolman with 4'' barrel

Let me get this clear, you own the HP and someone wants to trade you an AK for it?