It literally is a like new revolver! The reason: Just got it back from S&W yesterday after a re-blue. Yes I know, lots of folks would frown on that since it is no longer "original", but here's the story about this gun.

I bought it from a local pawn shop for cheap because it was in poor appearing condition. I picked it up and found it to be very tight and the trigger pull was awesomely smooth. I couldn't resist, believing it would make a great shooter at the range and it was! Very accurate and simply a very pleasant 357 magnum to shoot.

The pawn shop knew the lady who sold it to them and related the story that her husband had been a highway patrolman and used this revolver for duty until he retired a good number of years ago. He died and left the gun in a dresser drawer for 20 years, she said. Needless to say, the finish was poor, rusted in places and pitted in others. So, I cleaned it fired it some and put it away in the cabinet. a couple years later, I decided that it deserved better than that, so off it goes to S&W. 9 months later, I get it back.

With great anticipation I opened the box and there rested this beautiful, brand new appearing Highway Patrolman.

Attached Images

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Well, no box, no papers, and in worn and somewhat rusty condition definitely made it a shooter grade revolver. I won't fault anyone for refinishing a shooter grade firearm, just know that the money spent on refinishing will not be recovered through increased resale value. Be careful with cleaning S&W's current blue finish, it does not react well to ammonia nor solvents that contain ammonia or ammoniated compounds.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

PTND, thank you for sharing this two-part story: one of honorable use by law-enforcement, and then the time of its sad neglect.

I share your belief that if a revolver has become rusted/pitted it is one's option as owner to refresh it. From the picture it looks excellently done. Nice stocks, as well!

I hope your HP, neglect and damage undone, will serve you for many years of happy ownership!

Congratulations. It’s your gun and your money and your enjoyment. Hope it provides years of pleasure and service.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

Congrats on giving a fine old S&W new life.

Your gun, your choice. Looks great! Shoot, clean, repeat.

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

Cool. Time to go to the range.

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Rather be outdoors

Looks great. I like the idea of an HP that looks collectors grade but isn't. I bought one myself recently. Clean finish but no box, no papers, replaced stocks and FUN to shoot. I think you made a good choice. N frames have become my favorite revolvers.

Congrats looks very nice!
Did S&W have to remove any pitting during prep ?
Did they have to rollstamp any markings?
What do they charge nowadays for a refinish?

I would suggest that a pawn shop buy at the right price plus the factory re-blue cost will be well within the current value of the gun.

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S&W factory revolver armorer

Good for you. That's a beauty and you gave it a whole new life! Congratulations!

Looks great! Done correctly, and it looks like your’s was, I have no problem with a refinish.
Now go shoot the daylights out of it!

Conventional wisdom is that a refinish doesn't increase the selling price enough to justify the cost. But I agree with Ken, this one may well be an exception. Not to mention that it's a factory refinish, which should, in my opinion, actually raise its value considerably.

People often complain that current S&W bluing process is not nearly the same as it once was. But when you consider the M28's original rather dull standard finish, this one probably looks a lot better today than when it left the factory.

I think the OP made a good decision.

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You're shy a few manners.

I hear that on this forum all the time, yet companies like Turnbull produce incredible refinishes all the time that frequently command several times the price of an original, unrestored piece.
So which is it? Or do several different "markets" exist at the same time but not acknowledging each other?
Just curious, I can't afford high-dollar collectibles, refinished or not!

I was speaking in the context of the subject of this thread, ie, a very common S&W, the M28-2. In that case, I don't believe anything that Turnbull could do would increase the price several times an original unrestored piece, unless the latter was in "dragged behind a truck" condition. Maybe to a novice buyer who is easily dazzled, but not to a knowledgeable collector. My thoughts anyways.

Now if you are talking about a rare variation of the Triple Lock, that is a whole different matter. Even then I'm not sure how much a collector would be interested in a Turnbull restoration, but there would be many eager buyers.

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You're shy a few manners.

A collector or not, money is money. I agree, a factory documented refinish is worth a bit more than a no-name refinish. It sure looks good. I know when I spend money on a gun I never worry about resale. I do worry about having fun!

I have been watching 27 & 28's. I want one. That gun is $1500 easily to the right buyer from what I see.

What is "current" in this context?

I know that the bluing process changed more than once, but does anyone know when that happened?

I have one revolver that was apparently refinished in the 1970's, and stamped, and I know someone whose father had a couple guns refinished in the 80's~90's before they were passed on to kids in his family who shoot them now, and presumably clean them.