Hi, everyone. I'm a longtime shooter- but just not of wheeled revolvers. Sure wanting to learn more!

Attached are some photos of my newly aquired 357 Highway Patrolman. I purchased it at an estate sale. Gave them $400 and they gave me the gun and a bill of sale. (It was an impulse buy. Hopefully did okay?) I believe it to be a 4 screw- assuming one screw is covered by the grip which I have not verified. There is a single screw forward of the trigger guard and two visible on the side.

The 6" barrel is engraved with "Highway Patrolman", but it does not have a "S" or "N" preceeding the serial number on the yoke. Neither do I find the "MOD-28" " on the yoke. Didn't that start in 1954? No other visible numbering or lettering.

I do see the "H" on the yoke, but I read that was just an indicator to the guy on the assembly line that the frame would be an HP.

Help needed to properly identify this wheel shooter.

Thanks!

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It is a Highway Patrolman. It is a pre-28. So it is what eventually became the Model 28 when they switched to model numbers. Looks like a great buy to me. What is the serial range? I or others can look up the approximate date for you.

Very nice!

Congrats!

I'd say you stole it for $400!

1957 was when they started placing the Model number.

You did extremely well. If you remove the grips you will find the correct serial number on the bottom of the grip frame. The model numbers were assigned in 1957 but many didn't appear until 1958. You now have one of the finest .357s ever built.

I do not see a Model number on the frame below the barrel in the yoke cut out but I'm not sure it is not there. If it is not then your Highway Patrolman is a pre-Model 28 if you like that terminology. The number that you photographed is not its serial number. The serial number is on the bottom of the butt frame. It will start with an S. A 4 screw pre-28 was made during the period when the number of parts that were serial numbered was being reduced. The serial number might also be on the back of the cylinder, barrel flat, back of extractor, or rear surface of the yoke visible through a chamber. The number you photographed is the assembly number. Those are stamped on the frame and the side plate and yoke that are fitted to it. Assembly numbers get those parts back together after they come out of the bluing tanks. Assembly numbers are of minimal interest after the revolver leaves the factory.

Around here a really nice 6" HP....... is a $600-650 to maybe $700 ANIB gun...those grips sell for +$100 alone....... "most" HP's I've seen came with Magna grips.

The "made in USA" script appears to be defaced in your photos. Is this a focus problem or is it defaced?
Other than that, it appears that you bought a very nice and desirable Highway Patrolman.

Looking at the markings on the barrel, they look pretty light, too. Maybe a refinish? None of the usual overpolishing on the edges of the sideplate, though. Still a heck of a shooter even if refinished! A friend has a 6 inch 28-2, and I like shooting it more than my 3.5 inch pre-27!

Hello DSWS, welcome to a new member. Take the grips off and shoot a pic
of the bottom of the frame for a view of the Sn, Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

That is kinda weird! Hopefully it is just lighting or a blurry picture. I actually think the non-relieved diamond target grips would bring $150+.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Grips are about $200, so the gun was another $200.I guess you did ok lol

Welcome to the Forum.

Most of your questions have been addressed by others. When you post the serial number, more info will be forthcoming.

As for the H on the cylinder, you have it right. Since the .357 Magnum (later the Model 27) had an identical cylinder, the H told the finish shop to use the satin blue on a cylinder destined for a Highway Patrolman instead of the highly polished blue finish that would be put on a cylinder destined for a .357 Magnum.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

It is a Highway Patrolman. It was made before S&W assigned model numbers, so collectors refer to it as a "Pre-28."

You did excellent on that HP. I have a 5 Screw HP that I thought I got a good deal at $540 out the door, with the same type of non relieved diamond grips. And I'm not sure but I think the 4 screw Pre-28's were made less then the 5 screws, but I have been known to be wrong. Just don't tell my wife. Congrats

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Welcome to the FORUM! You did fantastic on that 1! My 28 no dash from 1960. I paid $450 some years back with "goodyear grips". Had these diamond targets. Enjoy your Smith! Bob

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I'm not so lucky. I paid $69.00 for my new HP when I was a teenager, at Front Royal Supply in Front Royal, VA. It is a sixties three screw, but I love it anyway.

I could change your "bad" luck by buying yours for 3-4 times what you paid.

I paid $125 for a brand-new Model 28 in 1970. I didn't keep it long. $69 must have been from quite a bit earlier than 1970.