I own a .357 "Brushed Nickel" 28-2 Highway Patrol. As far as shooting goes, it has NEVER misfired or anything, very nice to shoot and dependable. As far as the finish, the guy who sold it to me claimed that it was the real deal, and as far as I can tell it looks like the real deal. It is pinned and recessed with original wood grips and +- 6" barrel. Front blade has orange insert, which I am told is not factory. I took it to local gun show and almost nobody knew much about the gun. Some of the dealers books did not even list a nickel finish in this model, and others say it is worth 300% of a blued gun of same condition. ALL of the books say "Beware of Fakes!" The questions that I have are: What is value (I would call it 90%- minor holster 'shine' on cylinder and a ding in front blade)? How can I tell if it's a fake? (I have been told that *Brushed* Nickel is pretty rare. I do not have box or anything)What were the years of manufacture? Can I get any kind of certification or anything verifying if it is a real deal or not? Thanks for any help. ~~~The Model # is N2125**, There is a second # that is X4128 and under that is D12. Does any of this help?

I own a .357 "Brushed Nickel" 28-2 Highway Patrol. As far as shooting goes, it has NEVER misfired or anything, very nice to shoot and dependable. As far as the finish, the guy who sold it to me claimed that it was the real deal, and as far as I can tell it looks like the real deal. It is pinned and recessed with original wood grips and +- 6" barrel. Front blade has orange insert, which I am told is not factory. I took it to local gun show and almost nobody knew much about the gun. Some of the dealers books did not even list a nickel finish in this model, and others say it is worth 300% of a blued gun of same condition. ALL of the books say "Beware of Fakes!" The questions that I have are: What is value (I would call it 90%- minor holster 'shine' on cylinder and a ding in front blade)? How can I tell if it's a fake? (I have been told that *Brushed* Nickel is pretty rare. I do not have box or anything)What were the years of manufacture? Can I get any kind of certification or anything verifying if it is a real deal or not? Thanks for any help. ~~~The Model # is N2125**, There is a second # that is X4128 and under that is D12. Does any of this help?

Welcome to the Forum

What's the serial number? Post some good pictures - everyone would like to see it.

Take the grips off - is there a "B" or a "N" stamped anywhere?

Chad ,,look in the ultimate highway patrolman thread that I bumped to the top.

The salesmans samples nickel H.P.s were in the
N40xxx, to N43xxx range.

If yours is in this range you can be pretty sure it's authentic.



Regards ,,and welcome to the forum! ,,Al

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Post the serial number with the last couple digits Xed out and we can tell you.

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Dick

Al, there are also seven known in the N38XXX and one in the N39XXX range.

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Dick

Model 28-2s with a factory brushed nickel finish are quite rare. I believe there are about fifty known to have been made, but only a few in the hands of collectors. The majority of these guns have a serial number in the N28000 to N59000 range and were shipped in mid-1972 to several distributors. They all have four inch barrels. I owned N41758. It did not have an N stamped on any part of the revolver.

Bill

Thanks Bill - can I assume it didn't have a "B" stamped on it either?

VM...Nothing stamped on the revolver to indicate type of finish (no N, no B, etc.).

Dick...send me a private email for an update.

Bill

I'm a Dummy - HP's have all ways been my favorite and I just leaned something.........
No "B" for blue stamped on the frame anywhere on the ones I own ( I assumed they were like I'd seen on other blue guns).
Apparently no need because of the one unique finish

To be 100% certain of the authenticity use this link:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/C...5301&sectionId=10504

The Model # is N2125**, There is a second # that is X4128 and under that is D12. Does any of this help?

thechadd...Your 28-2 is not in the range of the known 28-2s finished in brush nickel, but the only way to know if your revolver is original or not is to get a factory letter. One question...is there an H on the rear surface of the cylinder? If there is, it is likely your revolver left S&W with a satin blue finish. The H indicates a standard Highway Patrolman finish that is satin blue.

X4128 is an assembly number and D12 is a fitter's or inspector's mark. They have nothing to do with the finish.

Bill

My factory nickle guns do have the "N" stamped on the frame under the grip. I thought all of them would have that.

Thanks Bill, I may have been snowed, but it is still a great gun. I have printed off the request form from the site that SGT NEUTRON recommended. Just to get a sure answer, I am thinking I will send in a request and $50.00.

bountyhunter...For some reason, the 28-2s finished in brush nickel do not have an N stamped on the left side of the grip frame or underneath the extractor. At least not on the two I have examined, but you don't see many of these, so others may be stamped differently.

Bill

There is one for sale on GB (item #119830835) for a "mere" $3500, in the N104xxx serial # range...hmmmm....wonder if it could be the real thing (sarcasm "on")...but, the seller doesn't want any "debaters".

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ken
SWCA #1959

Do all satin blued 28-2's have (or supposed to have) an "H" on the rear of the cylinder? Mine is unmarked.....

SrBenelli...I don't think cylinder markings were constant over time. Some Highway Patrolman will have it, some won't. S&W was anything but consistent in the way they marked their firearms over an extended period of time.

Bill

Mine has no "H" as well.

I have documented the following Nickel 28s.
S192697
N38967
N41758
N2539889 is in the Ct. Valley Hist. Museum
and Roy Jinks noted two with 5" nickel barrels were shipped 3-20-59. No serial number revealed.

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Duc sequere aut de via decede

Don't know if it's relevent, but the seller also has a COP derringer for over $1K and a chopped Ruger Speed Six for almost $1K. I'm fine with someone getting as much as they can for any item, I'd sure want to, but absent a letter and given some pretty agressive pricing on items that are unremarkable I'd keep my wallet closed.

If I had a letter I'd sure feel comfortable saying "no debaters" but again, absent a letter someone can't ask a few questions?

The Model 28s are four-screw revolvers fitted with 5-inch barrels that were made for the Florida Highway Patrol. They are stamped MOD-28 in the yoke cut. I have seen one of these guns. They have a polished finish rather than a satin or brushed nickel finish. The gun in the CT Valley Historical Museum would date to 1975 or so and the fifty plus with a four inch barrel and satin nickel finish were all shipped in June/July 1972.

Bill

A quote from the ad on Gunbroker: "I have had several Smith & Wesson expert collectors examine the gun and all agree the satin nickel finish is original from Smith as it is obivious under a magnifying glass that the lettering and Smith logo were put into the metal after the nickel finish was applied."

Really? If thats true, I'm shocked, I was sure that all the lettering and stamping went on BEFORE the finish, blue, nickel whatever, was applied.

I can tell you I have personally seen one that was in the box and all original unfired. It was a 4" and the box is correctly marked as a nickeled highway patrolman. The current collector said there were 5 known and confirmed nickeled salesman HP's out there and this was one of two. It has been lettered also.

Very impressive gun. Although I don't buy nickel, this would have temped me.

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SWCA 1646

thechadd, sorry I can't help. I'm in the same boat though. My application for a letter is in. I'm hoping to get it back by March. It would be a great birthday present.

Awesome information here guys! As always, I learn so much from all the knowledge and experience you share.

The gunbroker gun has a nickeled hammer and trigger, and from what I've read, and my own observations, S&W never did that. I could be wrong.

I called Mr. Jinks about this gun (below) before I bought it. Unfortunately, we didn't get to the "What finish?" answer before he discovered that it was originally delivered to him. I'm hoping that's a good sign.

The ejector rod is blue, as is the star. .500" hammer and .500" serrated trigger are case. No markings (H, N, or B) to indicate finish. Prettiest football-relief Target grips I've ever seen, silver washer, no markings.

S/N 1920XX

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Hoot Gibson

Hoot hope you have one, but all of the ten known brushed nickel 28-2 were all 4", not 6". I believe the high polished Florida HP were all 5".

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Dick

Here is a photo of N41758, a Model 28-2 with an original brush nickel finish and shipped on July 18, 1972 to Precision Tool & Gun Company, Ithaca, NY. It was shipped in a gray box with blue piping and lettering. In the finish box on the end label it is marked NBH (nickel, brush, H for Highway Patrolman). As far as I can tell from actual data, none of the fifty plus HPs with a brush nickel finish were saleman's sample revolvers as all were shipped to distributors or jobbers. Those of you who are members of the S&WCA can read more about this gun and see pictures of the box in the Summer 2007 S&WCA Journal.

There may be a few nickeled 28-2s that are salesman's samples, but they are not part of the run made in mid-72.

The Model 28s made for the FHP are polished (not brushed), have 5-inch barrels and four-screw frames. They are in the S190000 range and date to 1959. These guns are very rare and seldom seen (I have seen one in my collecting career).

Bill

Hoot and Doc-Beautiful revolvers guys.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

Thanks Dick and Lucky Derby, I hope so too. I'll post more when I get the letter back. Even if it's not, I'm happy to have a gun that was delivered to Mr. Jinks. Puts this at the top of my collection.

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Hoot Gibson

Wow, I came here looking for some information on my S&W and find out that it's a little bit rare. I have a Model 28-2 that is brushed nickel. It has the N stamped under the handle grips, but the N is not present on the number on the yoke. N2451** Very cool!

Conchis...cool indeed and welcome to the forum. The N stamped in front of the serial number is not an indication of the finish but is actually a part of the serial number series. Although I may have misread your post and there is an additional "N" on the frame. Either way, you should definately request a letter from Mr. Jinks.

Since I've never really considered myself a collector, I really don't have any experience in requesting a letter or what is involved. Thanks for the response and I'll look into it.

I assume it's a 4".
Yours is way above the known serial number range of the 54 brushed nickel 28-2s. They were in the five digit N28400 to N59622 range. There are a lot of them out there with an aftermarket hard chrome finish that looks an awful lot like brushed nickel.

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Dick

That very well could be. I'm certainly no expert. Let me see if I can post a photo of it. Maybe you can tell me from that. Thanks for the help. (Darned, I was getting excited there for a minute).

Attached Images

Resized Model 28-2.jpg (37.6 KB, 634 views)

Sorry, Conchis - from the photo it's obviously a re-finish. The trigger and hammer should be case colored; doing those parts is the sign of an aftermarket (not factory) refinish. The photos of the real thing in this thread should show the obvious differences very quickly.

You still have a nice shooter.

I would say yours is definately hard chromed. Look at the picture above posted by Doc44, nickel has a more yellowish tint to it, hard chrome is more of a silver gray. I would save my money on a factory letter.

Edited: Yours also should not have chromed hammer and trigger.

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Dick

I'll definitely save my money on the factory letter. Thanks for all of the help. I still love this thing. Shoots great! Never fails. Can't ask for more than that.

Hard chrome is a very durable finish and will last a long time. Shoot it and enjoy!

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Dick

A hardchromed Mod 28 is a VERY nice, durable blaster that imho now has the most durable finish (and easiest to clean too) for any firearm. I've had a couple over the years and I find them as easy, if not easier, to maintain than stainless.

GREAT shooter there man. Thanks for sharing the pics, made me want to go on the hunt for another beater and "put on a new coat" so to speak.

P.S. Get those "rubbers" off there Buddy , a set of period magna's, or even Executioners stags would look AWESOME on that gun. Just a thought, but I doubt you need them for recoil control as that N frame will digest, comfortably, ANY sane .357 load you care to feed it.

This is my first post on here. I dont know if i can find out the info im looking for. I was giving a gun from my step dad that was owned by his father. I think its older then me. I havn't seen much on the internet about the one i have and would like to know more. It's a MOD 28-2 .357 HIGHWAY PATROLMAN with a 5" Barrel. Theres not much to read about the 5" online. It's all 4 and 6". The ser# series is N101*** and has an L on the back of the cylinder. The ser# is stamped twice on the gun. The bottom of grip & yoke. The gun has def been used. Still in great shape though. I am really excited about it. If anyone has info on it, i'd love to learn more? Age, how many were made, ect. Thanks.

Welcome to the Forum. First, be sure you are measuring the barrel from the muzzle to the cylinder face. S & W was making a 5" model 27 (the deluxe version of the 28) at this time, but a 5" HP would be a very rare gun. I would guess yours is a 6", or the barrel has been shortened.

If you do the search function on the right side of the home page for "model 28" or "Highway Patrolman" threads, you should find plenty of info. There is an active one under the latter title with photos and serial number data:

The ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.including N frame ser# ranges

Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

A photo of the revolver would be helpful. Also, assuming you measured the barrel correctly (from the cylinder face) and it measures 5-inches, you should send to S&W for a factory letter to see if the 5-inch barrel is original to your 28-2. If it is a factory original 5-inch the $50 for the letter will be a good investment. If not, then at least you will know what the original configuration of the 28-2 was. Click on Downloads at the tope of the screen and then of factory letter request form.

Bill

My fake one
Refinish by S&W 1 1/2 years ago

little help? not a big wheel gun guy ...any ideas if this is worth authentication?

Based on the SN and the fit of the side plate, I would guess a refinish.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Nope,Pretty sure all the factory nickel HP's where 4" or 5" barrels and yours is a 6".

was purchased from a Major in the FHP... so thought it may have been legit... thanks for the input..... thanks Murphy and 05

I own a 357 s&w 28-2 , 4" barrel revolver that was left to me by my dad and I would like to know more about it , can you help me.? It has a lot of gold plated parts also.

Also has no. S266041. Mod 28-2. 54819. C. A