I recently acquired a Model 28-2 4" Highway Patrolman that I dated back to being manufactured between 1972-1974. It is in pretty rough shape with a lot of holster wear and some pitting. It also has the standard serial numbers, one on the bottom of the back strap, and the other on the crane. Both of these serial numbers are the same and start with N, as it should. It also has a second serial number on the left side of the frame which is a completely different number??? It came with Pacmeyer grips. What do I have here?

Should I leave it in its original condition?
Should I have it re-blued?
Should I have it ceracoated?

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The second number is almost certainly an inventory number from some police department. (DPS=Dept. of Public Safety in all probability.) Many PDs tracked guns by these numbers and not by serial numbers. That is not at all uncommon. Someone who knows what they are doing should eyeball the gun to give you a better opinion on finishing options. It depends a lot on how bad the current deterioration actually is and how hard it would be to buff it out or if that would destroy markings.

If it were mine, I would put a set of target grips on that baby and shoot the heck out of it. That's a real nice shooter. Let it be and enjoy.

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"Happiness is a warm gun"

Leave as is and go Shoot and enjoy.
I expected far worse from your description.
That is a nice shooter.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

You will probably never recoup the cost of the refinish if you should ever decide to sell it. Refinish it all you want, it will always be a shooter.

The usual advice in this situation is
1. Shoot it and enjoy it as it is.
OR
2. If you really can't stand to look at it, sell it and buy one in better condition. It will cost more, but by having its original finish, it will always hold its value.

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You're shy a few manners.

Welcome to the Forum.

That looks like a good shooter to me. IMNSHO, I see no need to refinish. I THINK Texas DPS issued M28s at one time.

Be aware that rust can form under rubber grips. Take them off now and then and oil the metal.

Another forum member posted not long ago that S&W no longer does refinishing on the M28.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Muley Gil is correct. That is a former Texas Department of Public Safety issued gun. Those stocks while comfortable to shoot are not original to the gun. Perhaps there is a member that has a list of TDPS inventory numbers who can provide more information. Once up on a time each agency owned weapon had an inventory card. It was literally a 3x5 index card with the gun information along with the the trooper information to whom the gun was issued. If I recall correctly they were green. If the gun is just to ugly for you to look at then please PM me and perhaps we can make a deal. hardcase60

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You want me to do what?

Leave it like it is.
Keep the rubbers for the range.
Wood for the BBQ and storage.

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Fred
S&WCA 3238

Soak it in some kind of CLP for a couple days to let all of that rust soften up. Then take some solid copper scouring pads, 0000 brass/bronze wool, or a solid piece of copper chisel and use that to remove the surface rust and freckling.

Once the rust is gone, keep it wiped down with CLP to prevent recurrence. I would also ditch the rubber grips for wood, as rubber is more prone to causing rust.

It appears that a great deal of the original bluing is left in tact. Not a smart move to refinish it. I only recommend refinishing when the gun has actual damage or less than 50% of the original finish remains and the owner wants it redone for better protection. Rarely does a refinish add value or allow a person to profit when sold. So the reasons for a refinish are usually personal.

Good luck. Should have a fine shooter once all cleaned up.

I agree with others... it really does not look to be in bad enough shape to warrant a refinish, and doing so would be likely result in it not "looking right" for it's age and pedigree.

I've bought blued revolvers that were much worse in appearance, that cleaned up well and looked better left "as is", as a "survivor" with it's natural wear.

And in my opinion, especially so for an LE marked gun, as it speaks to it's honorable service history... yeah, I tend to be a sentimental old fool about things like that, when it comes to LE marked revolvers from that era. Long ago in a past life, a 4" M28-2 much like that was the duty weapon carried during my brief LE career.

The key is patience... spray it with a rust busting oil like WD-40, KROIL, PB Blaster, and then let it marinate over night or longer... however long it takes for the chemicals to do their thing to break apart and soften the rust. Then as mentioned, use the edge of a real copper penny, brass/bronze wool pad, a piece of soft copper tubing flattened on one end to form a scraper, to "work" the softened rust from the gun's surface. You get some copper smearing in the process, but that comes right off with bore cleaner.

You can always go the refinishing route later... but few can do the S&W "brush blue" finish of an M28 the way S&W did it.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

"Rough shape"? I beg to differ I'd clean it, maybe put some decent grips on it, shoot it and enjoy as-is.

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Pisgah

Looks pretty good. Clean it up and shoot the heck out of it. The guns prefer that.

Here is my "S" prefix shooter grade with targets on it. It is a great gun.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Another vote to leave it as is and shoot it! Collectors go crazy for the 38-44's and Registered Magnums. This gun will feel and shoot just like one of those. Just not win any beauty contests. You get the fun for much less money.