Got this 4" 28-2 from a couple who was putting their mother into a nursing home and auctioning off her home contents. Have no history on gun and couple knows no details. True serial is N532XX, which puts it in the 78-80 year range. I have another 28-2 that is serial N5098XX and the barrel on this one is 1/4" shorter than the 509 gun.

Anyway, gun has an external serial number, but no department markings anywhere, even under grips. It came with the Smith snap slide holster and 20 rd. cartridge belt. Both holster and belt were stored in high humidity area(I'm in Houston) but gun has no rust and not much in way of holster wear, so it did not go in and out of the holster much.

Question is does anyone recognize the serial number style and have any idea of the department that issued? Do the holster and cartridge belt have much value?

Attached Images

	28 holster belt.jpg (129.8 KB, 400 views)
	28 ext ser.jpg (77.6 KB, 517 views)
	28 side.jpg (124.5 KB, 464 views)
	28 holster (1).jpg (130.8 KB, 412 views)

Sorry i don't recognize those markings but someone will
be along shortly to help you out i am sure.
That's a nice looking 4"HP and it will make you a fine shooter.


Chuck

__________________
They hold no Quarter

Nice piece. I have a 3.5 inch 27-2 and love it. You did fine, enjoy it.

__________________
USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Is it N532xx or xxx? if only 5 digits total, it is from the very early 1970s.

I've never seen a department gun stamped like that. It actually looks more like a case number from a police department, although I'd hate to think a PD or federal agency would mark it for evidence like that. I have seen them electro penciled with evidence numbers.

That is the right number of digits to be somebody's social security number, or maybe a Dr. Lic. number? They're obviously owner applied, but I could easily ignore them with such an otherwise great looking shooter.

The holster and gun belt don't look like anything spectacular, what markings are on the back of the holster? I'd say $25.00 to $35.00 for the combo.

__________________
Join the NRA today

It's only 5 digits, I read the listing in the catalog wrong, it is an early 70's gun.

There is a very light discoloration on the bottom front of the trigger guard, where maybe something could have been, but it does not feel ant different than the surrounding metal, so I don't think there was anything there.

From maybe issue gun to maybe evidence gun, if only it could talk.

Markings on back of holster are the S&W logo and the number 24.

802 appears to be an unused number in SSN series.

Hello duman, never seen a stamp like that on a S&W. But, I do like 28s with a history and a bit of mystery. Holster and belt, seen boxes of them at the shows. Would I buy it? Heck yes. Best.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Those are most likely some type of professionally applied department or company markings. My guess is a small town/county inventory stamp.

__________________
Captain Dave Funk

The markings are intriguing, but the gun is a splendid shooter. I hope you shoot the heck out of it and enjoy it.

__________________
Oh well, what the hell.

I have its twin, I picked up a 28-2 earlier this year, with the same numbering. I haven't been able to find any info on it. I got it at the LGA, I'll asked the owner where he got it.

The sn is N1017xx, and the stocks number to the gun, its stamped 802-102038.

__________________
SWCA #2817

The mystery is apparently still unsolved. I dont have an answer yet.
Just an observation that may or may be relevant. Here goes.
#1. N532XX, 802-102013.
#13, N1017XX, 802-102038.
The Sns. are far apart. The third and last digits appear to be high and a different strike than the other numbers.
Any thoughts welcome.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Most likely shipped Mar/Apr 1972.

Those markings are similar or alike inventory numbers stamped on TXDPS uniformed officers' cary revolvers, stamped at the factory is my belief. S & W may be able to answer your mystery. This is not a TXDPS revolver. In the early seventies, they used a five digit number prefixed with DPS. much later, they went to a 405 agency identifier, followed by a dash and five numbers.

Good luck,

Jack

Here is my 28-2 N521xxx.

Attached Images

image.jpg (72.2 KB, 519 views)

Have you checked cartridge belts lately? Hunters are now selling for upwards of $70 last time I looked and S&W holsters aren't as cheap as you'd think.
Steve

None the less, the cartridge belt and holster are not exactly top quality products. IMO, the holster is a S&W badged Hunter.

Yes, I have one for a 2" Model 10. It gets little use.

I was giving what I felt was a buyer price, the seller price the sky's the limit. To me personally, cartridge belts are worthless and a strap over holster about the same price.

__________________
Join the NRA today

That eliminates that theory then. Daddy bear's statement that the TXDPS used a 405 prefix as an identifier is a good lead. Another Texas Law Enforcement agency may have used a similar tracking system. The 802 prefix would be the key then.

__________________
Join the NRA today

Don't know how to link, but found post #1910 on ultimate highway patrolman thread with another external serial number stamp starting with 802. Poster states he inherited from uncle who was a Texas Game Warden, deputy sheriff and border patrol officer. Seems to be a numbering system for Texas, so would guess deputy sheriff or Game Warden?

Sure would like to know provenance.

I spoke to the LGS I got mine from, he said it was a walk-in, Colorado resident, but we're not too far from Texas.

__________________
SWCA #2817

My take is that the evenly applied numbers are applied at the factory. Note that they are the same on both guns. I have a WV State Police issue 686 with the same font and location stamping on the frame. The unevenly struck numerals are applied locally, and space has been left in the uniform factory stamping. My guess is that when the arrived at the agency, that the extra numerals were stamped by a property clerk or armorer. That would indicate that both of the pictured guns went to the same agency.

Of course, this is all hypothesis, or better term: guesswork. While I'm guessing, I'm going to say a Texas agency of some sort. Maybe a factory letter would solve the problem.

Here's my 686 with factory stamped numbers:



Here is the OP's gun:



Of course I may not even be in the ball park!!

Best Regards, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

This is a DPS (Department of Public Safety) Model 28-2 from 1978 for comparison. The DPS numbers are very even and neatly stamped.

There's something about "802" and Texas Parks and Wildlife. Maybe a thread you can follow. It might be a bid number or something they use for inventory. Just a guess though.

Since Texas DPS used 28's, it makes sense that wardens would too and, I recall that's what they carried.

Good luck on the hunt.

TPWD: Bids - Services

http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/Documents...ency%20802.pdf

Ok....I'm sure it's Texas Parks and Wildlife. It appears that's the numerical code for that agency.

Parks and Wildlife Department 802 | State Agencies | Texas Comptroller Manual of Accounts | Fiscal 2015

-It wouldn't surprise me that the "802" prefixed Model 28-2 is a former Texas Rabbit Ranger issued revolver. The difference in the quality of inventory control number stamping being the respective agency. DPS either had theirs done by S&W or a craftsman. Where as TPWD had theirs done in the agency blacksmith shop. hardcase60

__________________
You want me to do what?