Can a 1966 vintage Highway Patrolman with a damaged cylinder be fitted with a new style (no counterbored chambers)cylinder without having to set the barrel back?
Yes but the barrel will probably need to be pulled and set back a thread so the B/C gap can be adjusted. It might be more economical to find a used cylinder from a M27 or M28 to use as a replacement. The M28 cylinder would probably work out best as the finish would pretty much match.