Hello all, I hope that I am posting this in the correct place as I am not sure of the year this revolver was made, I have just acquired a smith and wesson revolver marked highway patrolman, I thought these were model 28's, however this one does not have model 28 on it where the cylinder swings out it has 456 41 and over that is a 1 and under it is a 7. Is this still considered a model 28? Is there a way to tell when it was made and possible ballpark value?
Thanks!

It became the Model 28 about 1957.
The numbers you are looking at are fitting numbers and have no meaning after leaving the factory.
The serial number is on the bottom of the grip frame.
That will give us something to work with to give you an approximate age.

You may have to remove the grips to read the number.

Pictures are required.

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Eccentric old coot

the number has an S and then 1343xx, this number is also on the cylinder where the cartridges go in and where the ejector rod goes.

1954-55 is my guess according to the catalog

That would make it a pre model 28 or an "S" serial prefix, "N" frame Postwar.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

S 1343xx suggests it probably shipped in 1956. That SN is in the 1954-1955 production range. Remember that S&W did not ship in serial number order, so 1956 is just an educated guess based upon known shipping dates of nearby serial numbers. A Highway Patrolman is simply a pre-Model 28.

Here are some photos of it, thanks for the help.

Nice gun, congratulations!

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Even older, even crankier....

That's a real dandy. It will no doubt lead you to the edge of the slippery slope of N frame S&Ws..

See you at the bottom.

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Eccentric old coot

Testify, my Brother!

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Even older, even crankier....

You forgot to mention the extra screws.

Extra screws? Does anyone have any idea on basic value of one of these, i'm just curious if I did okay on the deal?

You certainly are posting in the right place.

About nomenclature:
S&W used to give their revolvers names. Yours was named the Highway Patrolman. Then, as Iggy said, S&W got the bright idea in about '57 to give their products model numbers. The HP was redesignated as the Model 28. But to keep things confusing, S&W retained the HP designation on the barrel. Strictly speaking, yours is a Highway Patrolman, not a Model 28. Some people say "pre-28".

About price:
Yours will be referred to as a "Five Screw", since it has four sideplate screws and another screw in front of the trigger guard. It is also "P&R" (pinned and recessed). And it has the very desirable "Diamond Footballs" (Target stocks with the extractor cutout. Later on S&W eliminated the little diamonds). Many of us love these old features and are willing to pay more to get them.

I would just say a lower-end price would be $600 and it could easily go up from there, especially if you have the box and other accessories.

My Highway Patrolman / pre-28:
I bought the one below from Cabelas. They had it marked as a Model 28, although it clearly is a pre-28 / HP. That's a common mistake that probably only this Forum cares about. You will note it has 5 screws and a 6 inch barrel like yours, but diamond magna stocks (ie, not diamond targets like yours). I got it for $400 + tax, but that was a few years ago. It has the smoothest action of any S&W revolver I have ever handled. The finish isn’t the greatest, but the finish on these was always low budget anyways. The whole idea was to keep the price down for sales to law enforcement.

I wouldn't let it go for $600. If it had diamond targets, I probably wouldn't let it go for $700.

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You're shy a few manners.

Here is a later version, an M28-2. If you look closely, you can see it still has Highway Patrolman on the barrel. You can see the stocks have no diamond, the upper sideplate screw is missing as is the one in front of the trigger guard, making this a "three screw". At least it's P&R!
I tried to get artsy by adding the sight adjustment tool and spare set of Footballs.

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You're shy a few manners.

Very nice, thanks for all of the info. I am into it for $550 so maybe I am okay.

You are way past "OK"....you're great!!!

A few things that may bring the price down, at least to a collector:
The stocks look like they don't fit right. Maybe someone else can say if they are K-Frame Stocks (the HP has the larger N-Frame).
The front sight has a red insert. I don't think this was a factory option back when yours was made so it was added later.
The trigger looks like it may have had a trigger shoe on it(?) at some point.

On the plus side, it does seem to have a much better than average finish. It's funny, some of these left the factory with a better polish and finish than others. My guess is that a really experience old pro did the polishing and finishing, and / or they had a light work load that day and it got extra attention.

Someone can correct me if I'm off base on any of this. It is worth every bit of $550.

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You're shy a few manners.

Very nice! I notice the front sight is painted red. Looks like someone has been shooting it. They are a fun gun to shoot. Enjoy!

It looks to have been shot a little though the finish is very nice, however the front sight is not painted it is a red insert that looks to be factory from other photos I have seen but I am not an expert.

Looks like a red insert front sight to me too, but it is a picture and I'm not holding it in mt hands.

Either way, very nice gun for that price. I would be all over it like a cheap suit.

TRE

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Fine guns and fine smokes.

Just my perspective.
You did well on the price # 1
The stocks are N frame though probably refinished at some point.
The front insert looks oversized...May not be a factory replacement

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Here are some better photos with less glare, to me the grips do not look to have been refinished at all.

The grips would likely bring $250. You are into it for what I would pay, and I don't ever pay much. When the 28's hit $1K, your gun will hit it first. I just don't see pre-28's around here.

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Dr. B

The red front sight insert looks identical to the one on my NYSP marked 28-2 (~1978), but I'm not sure when that was first offered as a factory option.

My take. Worth exactly what you paid; and if anything, you are $100 to the good side of the deal.

Because of the lack of "box & doc"; it already is not a true collectible to many, however the "pre", and 5 screw put it right back into the "collectible" arena.... (Not to be confused with; "Not to be shot". )
My point being, although the red insert is not likely factory, it is an attribute to a shooter grade Smith, and does not detract from it at all. It is a great N frame .357, hard as nails, built for a lifetime of use.

Two other mentionables, but not about the gun.
Member "Jack Flash", gave a critique of the revolver, that was exactly the way we should all strive to do. With no overtones of derision, no devalue of a newcomer's opinion. And foremost, DID NOT take away the joy of a new guys obvious prize.

Second. I appreciate the grip / stocks knowledge we all know member "weatherby" has, and has demonstrated; but in this case, he rendered his opinion about the stocks being N frame at 5:44; before O P posted some more and better pics about an hour later.

While I agree the stocks may fall into the 2 1/2 Benjamins category, I do not think the "ears" of the stocks fit up to the frame, like N frame stocks would, and believe they are well made K frame, and, hope weatherby will come back and take a look. (hopefully to tell me I'm WRONG !)

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wanna do right-- not right now

Glad to hear the stocks are for an N-Frame. They look good. Also, in the second set of pictures the trigger looks fine. I don't see any marks from a trigger shoe. So two of my three "complaints" are withdrawn.

Does anyone know when the red insert for the front sight was first available as a factory option? If it wasn't before '57, then this one was modified. That's not a real big deal and shouldn't affect value much.

I believe the only options for the HP were
Barrel: 4" or 6"
Stocks: Magna or Target
If this is correct, the red insert wouldn't have been a factory option, certainly not pre-'57. Someone else may have the knowledge required to resolve this for me.

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You're shy a few manners.

Here's a NIB 4" 28-2 with an N-prefix serial number (N251XX) shown with original box and the stocks are numbered to the gun. Has the tools and some of the original paperwork.
Found it locally and it sits in my safe until I decide to break down and fire it!

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

Good find on the 28! A great Smith to own if you can't find a 27. (I couldn't) I have a 6" no dash from 1960. S2011xx. Do have a set of mint diamond target stocks for it. These feel great though. Bob

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^ Man..I'd have a difficult time laying any of my revolvers on stones,especially one that fine.

I believe my 28-2 was the actual one they used in the commercial.. that gets run over by the 18 wheeler! Loved that commercial. Ha! Bought it in the 80s when they were giving away revolvers.Think I paid $275 cuz it was scratched up. With .38 ammo it shoots like a .22.

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I like your 28!
I do not use the stone background any more. My tree stump, also used rotted away. Some members come up with the best photos! I enjoy seeing them. Bob

That's a nice looking ol' 5-screw. And you got it for only $550?? If I'd seen it, I'd have been reaching for my billfold so fast, I'd probably have dislocated my shoulder or something.

They are K frame grips. Still very nice.



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I'm sticking with N's

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

I have both but not with me here. I believe the short ears are the difference


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"Does anyone know when the red insert for the front sight was first available as a factory option? If it wasn't before '57, then this one was modified."

The red ramp front sight was always standard on the .44 Magnum. I'm sure if you wanted a RR on a Highway Patrolman, the factory would install one.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Good score! We LOVE pictures here ...... you done good. I recently got my first 28 also. Here's the link to a 10 YEAR OLD thread somebody started here that's still going strong.

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

If you're wanting to drool over more 28 pics and learn all there is to know about these Highway Patrolman guns, you're at the right place!

This one is going up for sale soon.....most likely on GB to get more exposure.

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

You got a great buy on an awesome firearm. I bought one around two years ago for the same price a little more after shipping and ffl costs. But totally worth it. It's a 6" barrel also and has non relieved targets, and had a well worn western style gun belt also. It's one of my favorites.

I did the comparison of k and n. The grips are N. they are much harder to find in N. I'm glad I have extras of both sizes.


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. Here is my WSP issue M 28 -2 with target grips.


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Here's mine that I picked up yesterday. Walked into the LGS across the street from the office and the guy behind the counter says "Hi, Daryl, there's a new S&W in the cabinet, you can take it out." Turn around and see this Highway Patrolman, and knew instantly that it was going to go home with me. It's from 1954-1955 according to the serial number. Not much wear on it, one spot on the cylinder that I think will clean up some. Grips are numbers matching. Clerk said they bought it from an elderly lady on Saturday, was her husbands who passed several years ago and the gun has been sitting unused for years. Came with a black leather duty holster.

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