I put this gun on layaway today at a local pawn shop. It actually looks pretty good - the stuff on the logo in the pic is just some smudging from handling it. I wiped it off after I took the photo then forgot to take another pic. Paid $150 down today, $400 out the door tax and all, so I still owe $250 on it. Should have it out by the next paycheck.



Not sure who made or what kind of grips those are. They look OK, but I was wanting to get some original target grips with the S&W medallion for it. I just want some plain walnut ones, not the Goncalo Alves wood kind or anything else fancy. Just some plain walnut target grips.

Anyway, what I need to know is what style of target grips would be period correct for this gun? I have seen several different types - some have a "football" shape hollowed out on the left side, some are completely cut out in that area and expose the frame. Which would be the correct kind for a gun with a serial # N 821XX ???

Also, on the right side of the frame, why is it I see some 28-2's with the S&W logo engraved higher up on the frame than others? Some have the logo up near the hammer where the target grips don't cover it up, and others (like mine) have it lower on the frame where it looks like it could get partially covered up by the right side target grip. Why is that?

I'm sure you all know what I am talking about, but I am posting this pic of the logo near the hammer in this pic I found doing a Google image search anyway:



I sincerely appreciate any and all input. Thanks.

The original style would be the smaller Magna stocks. The Target stocks above are correct for the gun (no uncheckered diamond around the stock screw). No idea why the logo migrates, probably just individual variation in parts production.

You did well at $400, now we just need the photos . Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I have both a 4” and a 6” M28-2. Both have period correct target stocks which are my preference on an N frame. Absolutely a joy to shoot - both of em!

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Pass it on.
Mark

Yeah I figured that was the case, but I just think the target stocks look better on the bigger N Frame. I would't put target stocks on a K Frame with a skinny 5" barrel (just doesn't look right to me) but for this beefy thing I wanted the bigger grips.

What would the left grip look like? The "football" type?

Doesn't make sense why they would do this.

It was priced at $450 but I am in this place like 3 times a week or more since it is close to my house and know all the guys so I talked them down to $400 OTD. He had just put it out in the display case this morning. I was actually going in there to buy a beat up old BSR Victory Model .38 S&W that had been reamed out to take .38 special for $125 that I was going to try and "restore" (it has Pachmayr grips and a lanyard hole) when I saw the 28-2. I have been looking for a decent priced one for quite some time and jumped right on it. Just didn't plan on spending that much cash today.

Thanks for your help, Mr. Dog

OK those stocks on yours look good to go. Very nice pistols you got there. I will keep an eye out for a pair like those.

Given the time frame that the 28-2 was produced, 1961 - 1982, the "correct" target stocks could be one of three different types. Earliest would be diamond center relief (football cut), non-diamond center relief, or speed loader cut out. It all depends on when your particular 28-2 was shipped. Knowing the serial # could perhaps narrow it down.

The cost of the stocks would be in the range of $125 - $300, roughly. Cheapest being the speed loader cutout, then non-diamond, then diamond. Another decent option would be a set of reproduction grips from Altamont. They have checkered, diamond, target grips made from walnut for around $80. Smith & Wesson N Frame Square Butt Revolver Grips | Altamont Company

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

The serial # is N 821XX....... I was browsing "The Ultimate Highway Patrolman Thread" here and I believe that number puts it in the '69 - '72 range. Do you happen to know which style was prevalent during this era?

I'd prefer original S&W parts but no way am I shelling out almost as much as I paid for the gun for a pair of target stocks. If I need to spend that kind of change on some grips I would just assume put the repro's on it so thanks for the link.

I dont want you to have to agonize over the stocks. Just save the worry and let me have it for $425. Nice revolver at a great price.

It may get me booted but I would try to find grips that work for you rather than worrying about the type originally on it. M28s scream to be fired and the grips that work best for your hands are the right grips for YOUR M28!

Yes, it would be the "football" or extractor cut out style. I would guess a nice set at about $75 with careful shopping. Good luck in your search.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

As a temporary measure you could use the present grips and add a grip adapter (BK or Tyler).

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

The SCSW agrees with your assessment of the '69-'72 time frame. Given that, the most likely target grips that would be correct are the non-diamond relieved grips. Here is a pic of what they would look like. A set in this condition would most likely run $200 up. N frame grips are expensive and they just keep getting "expensiver". You might be able to find a set locally at a shop or show.

I have never personally seen or held a set of the Altamonts I mentioned earlier. But they sure look like a lot of grip for the money.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

I personally like the grips that are on it now. Look like a set of Altamonts I have on a model 28. There were on mine when I bought it as well and while I was looking for a correct set, I took it to the range several times and shot it so well, I decided to keep it like it is.

I have never really researched the model 28 or Highway Patrolman but it was my understanding that it was developed as the poor cousin to the more expensive model 27. Similar to the model 46 being the lesser version of the model 41. It was designed as a duty gun more than a fancy collectible shooting iron with its dull finish and I would assume plain non target stocks.

Post 1968 they would not be diamonds but I thought that they would be service style stocks rather than targets.

Again, I am not a student of the HP so my thoughts may be off base.

I own one from 1955 but would have to go digging to see what stocks it is wearing. Since my wife thinks that "my room" is the junk catch all for the house it is always an adventure trying to navigate in there and its late and I'm too tired. Maybe tomorrow morning.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I found a real nice set for my 28-2 right here in the classifieds. If I recall they were around $100.

Your 28-2 probably shipped in 1973. If you want target stocks, the correct ones would be made of walnut, have the relieved area on the left stock panel, and would not have the diamond around the escutcheon and nut. A decent pair will cost $75 to $125.

The S&W logo (trademark) is roll marked on the side plate and varies somewhat in location. I would call it normal manufacturing variation.

Bill

Thanks for all the responses, fellas.

I was browsing two different local stores again today and found an old set of the black rubber Pachmayr N Frame grips without the lion medallion. Just plain black. They looked like they were in a pretty old box that was orange and white.

Another shop had a pair of one-piece Goncalo Alves Hogue N Frame "exotic hardwood" grips that looked pretty nice still in the packaging. They had finger grooves in them. Might buy them to keep, trade, or sell to put towards the original pair. The price seemed pretty reasonable compared to what I have seen them selling for on the interwebz.

Charles, and just to add, I don't think that there is anything wrong with the stocks in your original post. Certainly they are way better looking than Goodyears IMHO.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Yeah I like the looks of the ones on there too, honestly. I just want a set of factory ones for it. I don't like the rubber ones too much either but I might see how they shoot.

The ones on there look like exhibition grade cocabolo. Check them out to make sure they are not Culina's. I do not have time to read everything, but depending on the year, checkered walnut magnas are probably right. If you do not like what is on there, I will send you my address. Nice purchase, good price

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Mine came with Pachmayrs, functional but ugly. I found these Magnas on eBay for $70. Added a Tyler T, for around $35. Though not original to this gun, these Walnut Magnas are most likely the type that it shipped with. This setup makes for a smaller profile (easier to carry) yet provides ample grip for my large hands. The Magnas alone don’t have quite enough “meat” for me. Magnas plus Tyler was a very popular combo back in the day. To me, it just looks “right”. YMMV.
OP,
Nice gun! Great price!
Cheers,
George

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I'm kinda a S&W noob so I am unfamiliar with Cocabolo wood or the term "Culina's". I do spend a lot of time rooting through display cases of used pistols around here though, and I can say I can't remember seeing any wood grips that look quite like these do. They look really dark brown - creeping towards black almost - with streaks of golden tones running through the grain. They seemed to look different based on the amount of light that hit them.

After I get the gun out of the hock shop and find some replacement factory target stocks you're more than welcome to them. Like I said, I think they look really cool, they are just not for me. I guess I'm a "traditionalist" and just want a factory-looking piece rather than one with custom grips.

I like those old Tyler "T-Grips", too. I think they look really nice on square butt snub noses.

Charles, that is a great buy for $400 OTD. easy $700 around here every day.
I am not an expert by any means on Highway Patrolman but I can show you with below pics what was indeed period correct as my guns are all "as delivered by the factory" and I have the provenance on most all to back it up.

the "Pre-27" (Collector term) is a 1951 gun and you can see the diamond Magna stocks and note the logo is both large and low in relation to the later Models. The Model 27-2 (3-1/2" bbl) is 1976 and is also factory Goncalo Alves (type of wood) Presentation Grade, smooth Targets. Note logo is also large but higher up on the frame (like yours). My Model 28-2 is 1974, and equipped with standard "high shoulder" (I believe that is what they are known as) service walnut Magna stocks.

On a shooting note, the checkered Target stocks are great for me on My Model 25 (45acp) but tear my hands up under high recoil on My Model 29 (44 Magnum). On all of these 357 Magnum, I run CCI (Blazer Brass) 158 grain JHP and all of the pictured factory grips are fine for fit in my medium size hand, recoil control and time back on target. The "bark" is considerably stronger from the short barrel 27, but that Highway Patrolman just gets the job done, all time, every time.

Wonderful choice you made there.....enjoy it no matter what grips end up on it. Other posters may be correct....if those grips are "Cullina's" that is John and Jennifer Cullina out of California, and Members here on the Forum, and they are 1st class, custom grip makers so you would probably at minimum recover what you need to get the gun out of layaway

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	Model 28 - B1.jpg (51.6 KB, 44 views)
	Model 28 - C1.jpg (46.6 KB, 47 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Sorry..........noticed after posting above that I didn't have the right side picture of the Pre-27 showing the logo roll mark

So....here they are

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Thanks! Looks like you got quite a collection there! I'm currently a student (again) so I am on a pretty tight budget at the moment. I decided to forego a career as a public school educator and learn an actual valuable skill like welding. Too much rif raff in the public school system - both student and faculty. Anyway, I can't afford the super nice stuff right now, hence the layaway. Nearly all my guns are project guns, kit builds, parts guns, etc., but I have a soft spot for Cold War era (post-WWII/pre-Clinton) S&W revolvers. Pretty much the only type of gun I would consider "collecting". This 28-2 will be my 3rd one. I have a square butt Model 36 circa '66 or '67 and a Model 15-3 circa '72 so this purchase will bring my collection up to a grand total of -------- 3..........

I just checked out his website. How long has he been making grips? Just wondering because if I had to guess, I would probably say these grips were put on there in the late 70's or early 80's. It's not that they look "old" or anything, it's just the impression I got when I was handling the gun was that they had been on there for a while already. I'll be sure and pop them off to see if there are any makers marks on them as soon as I get them home.

Charles;

First my apologies to the Culina's and to the Forum for adding an additional "L" into the Culina family name in my above post.

It appears from their website that he has been making grips commercially full time since about 2012, but there is a current ad in the Buy/Sell sub-forum here for a pair of beautiful stocks from the 1960's per the Seller, and the Culina LLC website does say he's been making them as a hobby for years.

All I really know is that they are very desirable, and seldom, if ever, in my travels (gun shows, estate sales, private deals, gun club, etc.) I have yet to run across a pair of Culina's just sitting there on a table for sale. Most all I have seen are on gorgeous guns and usually priced way above my means, but I'm still looking and as of a few weeks ago his wife (Jennifer) SW Forum handle "grip makers wife" was looking for reviewers and testers for their up and coming J frame custom stocks. I can't wait to see the finished choices!

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Killer deal on that gun.

I will offer that my absolute favorite revolver grip configuration is a N frame square butt with magnas and a BK Grip (same as a T grip but improved and sold by a forum member). I highly recommend you try a BK grip with those stocks you have.

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Well, I went by today and gave them some more money. Didn't pony up enough to bring it home, but I did manage to figure out what the "mystery grips" are. Apparently they are Jay Scott grips from the 70's or early 80's. I don't think they are too esoteric. They fit N Frames but are specifically labeled for the .38/44 Heavy Duty, Outdoorsman, and the Highway Patrolman.

The correct factory target grips for your 28-2 are as illustrated here. This gun came factory equipped with them.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

You did great!

At $400 I'd be buying all of them I could get my hands on, ALL day, EVERYDAY!

Congrats!

Them must some dumb pawn stars to let that walk for $400!

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On the whistle draw and fire 6

Between 78 and 81 I bought four 28s, two 4" and 2 6", all in the two piece Bangor Punta boxes, all wearing service Magnas.
You did extremely well! I just got this one, and thought I'd done good......

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