So long story short I picked up a Model 28-2 on Gunbroker that appears to have a non-original finish, but it is very hard to tell. The top strap, back strap and the underside of the trigger guard/cylinder crane appear to have the matte blue that I associate with the highway patrolman, but the cylinder, barrel and flats of the frame look like they've either been polished or re-blued.

I also suspect that the red ramp front sight is not factory, either, but I don't have the expertise to say that for sure. The trigger is also *extremely* smooth, which might be just a quality of older Smiths from this era, but also might be aftermarket or factory trigger work. Haven't opened up the side plate yet to take a close look.

Can anyone tell me who refinished the gun? There are no terribly helpful markings on the grips under the frame. I've uploaded a gallery of images (mostly from the seller's gunbroker auction) in the link below. Serial number is S22353X if that is helpful too. Thanks in advance for anything you can tell me about this gun.

Pictures:

Model 28-2 Photos

Some HPs were more polished than others. I think yours has the original finish. I do agree the red ramp and white outline are not original, but nice features. The white outline looks like it was painted on and is not a true white outline rear sight blade.

Bill

Do you want to know the shop that refinished it or the name of the person in the shop that refinished it?

Well, assuming it has been refinished (DocSabo's post seems to suggest it might not have been) I would simply be curious to know as much as I can about the gun. It's clearly had some work done on it - if it was factory or another custom shop I would certainly like to know who.

With the exception of the sights, it looks original to me. Even the sights are probably original, just embellished by a previous owner. Brownell's sells kits for colored sight inserts and as Doc pointed out, it looks like someone attacked the rear blade with some white paint and a brush.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

It looks like someone might have used Flitz or Mothers Mag polish on it, not knowing it would polish the matte finish. Very nice looking 28 by the way. Find some nice wood grips for it.

That was my guess, looking a the pics, especially with the uneven polish.

And, if it had been refinished, obviously there's no way to know who might have done it or when.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

It sure looks nice. I even like the looks of the Pachs on it.

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You're shy a few manners.

Finish looks original to me. The red ramp looks after market. Shallower than factory and the front and rear edges are squared to the top rather than tapered as the factory ramp cut outs are.

I guess I'm the oddball. My gut reaction is that it has been refinished. But I am not the expert. The front sight was done aftermarket for sure, and when a gun has any modifications I suspect others...like a refinish. But that's just my non-expert opinion.

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No life story has happy end.

Refinished or not it is a beautiful gun but those grips got to go. Welcome to the forum by the way.

Don't worry - just ordered a pair of Ahrends smooth tactical stocks in Caribbean Rosewood from ebay. Thanks for the welcome!

ALL mdl. 28s look good, and yours is no exception; and, there are some/many with a more "polished" look as Doc44 noted.

AS for finding out WHO, if anyone, refinished a gun found on G/B, ? I can't imagine how that could be done.

Welcome to the forum !

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wanna do right-- not right now

I'm just glad you scored a Model 28-2, now go out and shoot the heck out of it. Once you've done that the original vs re- finish question will be moot because you'll never want to sell it anyway.

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Join the NRA today

oooh, i like the shiny.
pretty.

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susie

Looks like it shipped May 1962.

Mine is one that seems to be more polished than others, I think its factory. The red ramp was installed by me, and it came with a white outline rear slider when I got it. I also threw a target hammer and target trigger in there.

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USAF AMMO

My M28 was a former police revolver. It doesn't look that different from
yours and I don't think mine was ever refinished.

At one time I owned 4 Model 28's. All were original, and they represented a range of finishes that ran from the "brushed blue" finish (not really matte) that was supposed to be the standard to a high polish that was darned close to that of a Model 27.

I'd say yours falls in to that range and is completely original except for the front sight and the grips.

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Pisgah

I briefly looked at the pictures of your Highway Patrolman. I don't see any obvious signs it's been refinished. The pins look good, the roll marks are sharp, the side plate to frame fit looks great.

About 2-3 years ago I saw an original 28-2 in it's original box with B++ marked on the end. The seller was reputable and well acquainted with S&W's and claimed it was all original. It had as beautiful a finish as a model 27. This topic of Model 28 with nicer finishes than a typical Model 28 has been brought up before and like Doc44 said, "Some HPs were more polished than others."

The below is just my interpretation of what I've seen on end labels and compared to the matching revolver. I've never actually had anyone confirm it or looked it up. Hopefully someone can comment on it.
B=Blue (known per the SCSW)
B+=blue polished
B++=blue high polish

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

I've never seen nor heard of those box markings before. Very interesting and it makes a lot of sense. It sounds as if S&W, as a company, may have systematically and intentionally produced high polish M28s from time to time.

I always assumed it was done randomly / sporadically by individual polishers / finishers who may have had a little extra time on a particular day.

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You're shy a few manners.

Wondering "Who refinished my gun?" is much like wondering "Who repainted my car?" Unless the gun came with a numbered receipt or the refinisher left distinctive markings on the gun (like a stamp under the grips on the grip frame), you just never know who.

"Was this gun refinished?" is also very hard to tell from a photograph. Often it is easy, but the more skilled refinishers can make it hard to tell, even in person. Such work is becoming extremely rare, especially on mass-produced guns like the Highway Patrolman. An excellent refinish or restoration often exceeds the value of the gun.

Call me silly, but I like the looks of the Pachmayr's on that gun. It looks like serious business.

I had a 21-4, Thunder Ranch that was the same way. Normally I don't care for the rubber grips at all, but on some guns...

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John 3:16 .

Thanks for all the info guys. I bought it as a shooter so this is mostly just idle curiosity... I will definitely be getting my money's worth out of it over the years.

Not that it matters, as long as it hits what your shooting at. But is the front sight leaning to the right a little, is the barrel canted?

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USAF AMMO

I owned and carried a 28 back when I was a deputy in 1974 and mine was a near matt finish. Every time I see one of these I shake my head as I mentally kick myself for letting it go. Anyway, the photos look great although I don't recall mine having that rough finish in your last photo.

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Dan Ortego ~

It is brighter and has a nicer finish than I am used to seeing on 28s, but some did come like that.

Bottom line, you have a great, great revolver. The 28 is revered by many Smith and Wesson fans, and a lot of us prefer them to the model 27.

Yours is well used, but well cared for, and it will last you and yours another 40 - 50 years if cared for well.

This model 28-2 is the first revolver I ever bought, and it is a great shooting gun.

The rubbers have their place. My 28-2 wears a nice set of S&W smooth targets for looks. When I decide to qualify with it, the Pachmayers come off the shelf and on to the revolver.

Mine is a TXDPS issue (to me) that I bought when revolvers were phased out for the Sig 220. The distributor that traded for them gave us a really good price. My only modification is a combat trigger, installed by our armorer, the late Reeves Jungkind.

Best,

Jack

With those grips it looks exactly like the issued 28's carried on the MT Hwy Patrol for years. Those were the same grips we were all eventually issued. Butt ugly IMHO but they DID work better than wood when it was -20 and you were wearing gloves.

I bought my 28-3 when we eventually went to 5906 nines, Paid $142 .

Mine had maybe 50% finish left and after a dozen years of ...Refinish? Or Leave it ugly? I sent it off last year for a Factory refinish. Their idea of matte was more matte than I recalled...but still happy with it.



Wearing a set of NIL stocks that fit me very well. Happy I did refinish as I use it more now.

BTW....Mine was a std 28-3 circa 1985, but came with a smooth COMBAT trigger.

Frank237,
Who did your refinish, that's the type of finish I'm looking for on my 28

That is a great looking pistol. I carried a 6" Highway Patrolman when I was a rookie trooper back in the late 70's. I later switched to a 4" model as it was easier to carry.

I had it refinished with a high polish blue job, red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, target trigger, target hammer and I also added a set of Pachmayr grips like you have on yours. It was a great service pistol.

I ended up giving it to my dad when we switched to carrying semi-autos on duty……

S&W Factory refinish, in MATTE.

I currently have 5, four of which are original finish. The closest two are both from 1955. My 1984 has a darker blue. My 1982 is high polished from the factory ( WSP Commemorative).

The wear pattern and matte on the edges of the frame, along with the sharp rollmarks as previously described indicate to me an original finish, possibly flitzed as previously indicated.

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Even older, even crankier....

Had David Sams in Cartersville, VA (Sams Custom Gunworks LLC) do the work for me including the matte blue finish. I like the way it came out, and of course the Spegels don't hurt at all.




Keith

I think the black grips make it look a bit sinister.

Mine says hello.



Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Damn you Tapatalk! I can't get a picture to show up here

What does everyone think about finish removal

Attached Images

IMG20230305054635.jpg (98.3 KB, 77 views)

Pretty sure this one has been refinished, but I don't mind. TH and TT probably aren't original either, but they make for a nice package.

Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Nearly 7 year old thread and the OP hasn't been here for nearly that long...closed.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220