As a young officer in the late 70s my ideal duty weapon was a 5" M27. My chief had a phobia of barrels over 4". A friend's father offered me a 3.5" M-27, but wanted $200 cash, which I didn't have. I traded a 1926-era 6" M&P and a Remington 870 for a NIB S-series 4" M28-2 marked at $150. It served me well in uniform and as my go-to stakeout/raid gun later on.
Last year about this time I was blessed to find this pre-27 in an auction where everyone else was asleep. The SN would indicate about 1950 production. The letter shows 1953 shipment.
Over the years this is the fifth nickel revolver (and third nickel S&W) I have owned, and the only one I still do. It shoots every bit as well as that 28-2.