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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 10-30-2016, 06:22 PM
rgm36 rgm36 is offline
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Default 1958 Pre-model 28????

I just picked up an extremely nice (98%) Highway Patrolman.

It is a 4 screw pre-model 28. SC S&W book has the serial number S182XXX as 1958.

How can this be as model numbers where used starting in 1957?

There are NO numbers at all inside the yoke on the frame - No model number or serial number.That is not uncommon as I have had several early N frames with no numbers on the frame inside the yoke.

The only place there are serial numbers - are on the butt and right inside grip, which match.

Did someone forget to stamp "MOD-28" AND the serial number inside the yoke on the frame? - or is this a VERY late pre-model?

I can see someone forgetting to stamp "MOD-28" BUT the serial number should have been there previously when it was stamped on the butt.

What do you think?
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Old 10-30-2016, 07:42 PM
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1957 is not a hard and fast rule.
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Old 10-30-2016, 08:50 PM
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This may help. I have serial # S1811XX Highway Patrolman, not model marked, 5 screw, shipped Sept. 1958. Barrel, cylinder, and yoke are not numbered. Butt of frame, ejector star and right stock are numbered.
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Old 10-30-2016, 10:18 PM
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While the model number system was written up on paper in 1957, it took a while for it's implementation to make it's way into production. Work in progress or in inventory would not be stopped and/or recalled to do any changes. Most of the model-marked guns didn't start appearing until sometime during the year in 1958.
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Old 10-31-2016, 01:05 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFF View Post
Most of the model-marked guns didn't start appearing until sometime during the year in 1958.
That is a correct statement and might be an understatement. They might exist but I have yet to locate a single person who has lettered a gun that was model marked and shipped before January of 1958. There were lots and lots of non-model marked guns that shipped in 1958.

As for this:
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Did someone forget to stamp "MOD-28" AND the serial number inside the yoke on the frame?
In that time period, the serial number would only have been stamped in the yoke area if the gun was shipping with target stocks. A large percentage of Highway Patrolman revolvers left the factory with Magna stocks and would not have had a serial number stamped inside the extractor shroud or the yoke cut. The frame number on the butt would have been considered sufficient. In the late '50s they were still putting the serial number on the underside of the extractor star.
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Old 10-31-2016, 08:31 AM
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Model numbers began being stamped in 1958 at approximately serial number S184000. Even though the directive to stamp model numbers was issued on June 12, 1957, it took many months to actually implement it. Usually, the serial number will be stamped in the yoke cut on these revolvers, but obviously, that is not always the case. The "official"serial number is stamped on the bottom of the grip frame.

Bill

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Old 10-31-2016, 10:04 AM
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Hello rgm, Im a 28 fan. Just for giggles, see if there is a Sn. on the yoke
flat as viewed thru a charge hole on the cyl. Im just curious. Best
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Old 10-31-2016, 09:01 PM
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No serial number in that area, but upon close examination, I see mine has the serial number behind the star. Couldn't see it at first with all the oil.

JP@AK - As to only "target equipped" guns having serial numbers inside the frame behind the yoke - I have a 1955 38/44 Heavy Duty with matching numbered magnas that has the serial number behind the yoke on the frame. Perhaps you meant the Highway Patrolmans exclusively.

I'm confused now. That don't take much - stop - my head hurts. I am suffering from a small portion of brain lodged in my skull - they'll have to amputate it at once.

Last edited by rgm36; 10-31-2016 at 09:03 PM.
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Old 10-31-2016, 09:14 PM
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There are NO absolutes with S&W, just generalities. I believe you are overthinking this, it will give you a headache.
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Old 10-31-2016, 09:45 PM
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One must realize that markings either on a gun or left from a gun do not give credence to any rule regarding S&W's.

Roy Jinks has told us that sometimes roll stamps broke but it did not stop S&W from continuing to run guns and get them ready to ship. S&W was in the business to MAKE MONEY and didn't place the priority on minute details like we collectors do.

You will even find pre war guns with the 4 line address because they went back to the factory for a refinish at some point and the factory saw no reason not to update the markings. They were making shooting irons, not collectibles.

Roy Jinks as a S&W historian at heart, stopped this practice when he became service manager or when he held other similar positions at the factory but guns so marked still exist.

Don't get too wrapped up with dates and markings as it will drive you more crazy than the 2016 TV ads.

As far as the books are concerned, they ALL contain mistakes and many times they are carried over to a subsequent edition. I sent in information to the SC of S&W that I later deemed to be in error. I notified the authors of my error and hoped it would be omitted from the fourth edition. Well, it was not and the mis information lives on. Many of the serial ranges and dates written about are from observing guns over years and years and were never meant to be taken as absolutes.

So take what is written with a grain of salt and realize that your gun may not fit within listed parameters.
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