I acquired this LNIB model 28 with a 6" barrel today at my lgs. It is a 28 no dash P&R of course but here is the kicker, it has a "N" prefix serial number and I looked the gun up in the S&W catalog and it date around 73'-74'. Now the book says the 28-1 started in 1960 and in 1969 the "N" serial prefix began. So if the serial number says it was made in 73'-74' then why is this a no dash? The serial number on the butt matches with the number in the crane. Now I have the original box for it and the serial number matches the gun but where it says "model", it is listed as a 28-2! So is the catalog wrong or do I have some kind of odd ball? I do not have the original grips. My dealer said the original owner is trying to find them. It came with a set of Houges. Also, can anyone tell me what the special features are that is written on the box?

Thanks, James








The rest: SW 28 Slideshow by srv1 | Photobucket

First guess is they just did not stamp it with a dash as they were off center to begin with and it is a full blown 28-2.

Second, which way does the extractor rod unscrew? Right hand or left hand thread? That changed from the no dash to the -1. But, not a 4 screw, so it has to be a -2 therefore. Thinking out loud here.

Its a 28-2 and says so on the box.
Not uncommon for the people to misstamp especially the last number if it was off angle.
Factory stocks would have been non diamond Magnas,
Finish blue, barrel 6", the stuff in pencil probably added by the gunshop.

Serial probably dates to 73-74

I vote 28-2. 3 screw, LH thread extractor rod based on the photos, N prefix and a box to verify it all. To me the stamping of the "28" itself looks odd. Maybe higher Rez photos clear that up. Possible re-stamp for some reason? Definitely a bit odd.... Clearly a -2 in my eyes


Great package by the way. Stamped -2 or not the "total package" in that condition is hard to find these days! Well done!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Dan
SWCA #2789

Under the 8 was stamped a 7 so maybe this was originally going to be a 27 but S&W changed it to a 28.

JAmes

Nice 28! It oughta have magnas, but could have been a set of target stocks.

And, its an improperly stamped 28-2. They show up once in a while.....

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Even older, even crankier....

This gun has no wear or scratches on it. If the sights were not painted, I would have assumed this was NIB. I really do not need another 357 but I got a good deal on it that I could not refuse..

A mismarked dash 2 without doubt. The box, the serial number and the extractor rod all say so.
And just FYI, srv1, the dash 1 is so rare most of us have never seen one. I can recall seeing only one in pictures. Ever.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I sympathize. I would not have been able to pass on it, either. And I have owned more Model 28-2s in my life than I have owned of any other S&W model variant.

And what the heck does "need" have to do with it?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I hear these things are going for $1500

Not from me.....

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Even older, even crankier....

These all seem from the same era and still new looking. Yup worth a lot of money online for sure.

Now you know if you were selling you would ask a high price. If you were buying you would want the lowest possible price right?

Well is that not the general rule of thumb? Why would you want to pay more? Who knows maybe I will sell this one! LOL!

Truth is, Bill, its mighty rare for me to drop a grand on any firearm. I'm at the point that my newly purchased guns are wants not needs. As such, I'll only buy if its a good deal. And good deal means a real nice gun for 5 bills or less. Unless its a nice 1911 Colt or a great old Smith anyways...oh, and old means before 1955.....

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Even older, even crankier....

I found some grips I forgot I had. I think these are Sile target grips, can someone confirm? Pictures added in my first post.

James

Well I noticed something on the top strap that I did not see before. Part of the top strap is serrated so I guess this really was supposed to be a model 27. Have any of you seen something like this?

Me either.

Actually the Model 27 frame topstrap, barrel rib and rear site are not grooved but are checkered,
see pic


Anything is possible but your frame does not look like it is notched for a tapered barrel either
leads me to believe the frame was intended for a wide rib barrel model in 41, 44 or 45 caliber .

Im not in the camp that believes factory errors add any collector value,
A clean 6" 28-2 is about a $550 to $650 gun IMO.

It is hard telling what happened. Smith does not throw good parts away from everything I have read.
I have a 28 no dash from 1960. It has a S serial #. A 6 incher like yours.
Put whatever grips on it that feel good to you. Mine has Herrett Target grips on it. Look & feel great to me. Enjoy your gun! Bob

That is a really neat gun! Based on what I am seeing, I believe that your gun was intended to be a model 57 .41 Magnum and was over stamped. The model 29 .44 Magnum and model 25 in .45 ACP would have both been up to the -2 engineering change by this time, but the model 57 would have been a no dash at that time. It did not go to a -1 until the pinned barrel and recessed chambers were eliminated. That's why there was no room for the -2 after they overstamped it 28.

The plot thickens!! I honestly think you nailed it! I did another look this time I took off the crane and used a magnifier, low and behold underneath the 2 is a 5. What you said makes absolutely perfect sense!

James

"Anything is possible but your frame does not look like it is notched for a tapered barrel either leads me to believe the frame was intended for a wide rib barrel model in 41, 44 or 45 caliber" .


Yep he did ! ; )

The N serial started in 1969. How could this possibly be a Model 28?

Um, it can't. Model number is stamped incorrectly. Makes about 50 I have seen.

Duh. I missed the puzzle being solved above my post.

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No life story has happy end.

Glad to be of help! Makes you wonder why they grabbed a 57 frame to make a 28. I guess the model 57 was a slow seller and they needed a frame pronto.

I don't usually go in for oddballs, but that one is pretty cool. It certainly looks like our favorite gun company was long on 57 frames when a goodly 28 order came in!

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Even older, even crankier....

I wonder if they got a huge order for these for law enforcement and they used whatever frames they had to fill the order. Has anyone seen this before on a 28?

James

I have two m28 no dash stashed away. And one m28-2. I need to dig them out for pics.

You are correct about the Sile grips.

Not my choice, but you asked what they are.

If you kept the Hogue (note spelling) grips, you may be able to sell them if you dislike them.

Its cool that there's no -2 stamped on it.

Incomplete stampings are not common, but reported on the Forum regularly. I have a Model 57 shipped in January 1968 without a model number. Perhaps it is the only Pre-Model 57 in existence?????

Bill