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

[Doug.38PR]

Somehow, to my eye, the 6 inch Highway Patrolmans just look incomplete or funny with the magna/service grips instead of the beefier looking Target Grips. I got a pair of service grips for mine a while back and they just didn't look right.

 

[shadowbull]

My 28-2 with Smooth Grips

This is my M28-2. It was purchased new from a gun shop by my Dad in 1977 for approx $155 plus $20 for the oversize smooth grips. It is the 6" model with the original Satin Blue finish. Serial number is N2834XX. I have the original service grips numbered 282067, only the first two numbers match the gun serial. How close do grip numbers usually match? Smooth grips have a circled letter "P" stamped on the inside and that is the only marking on them. Anybody know what kind of wood the smoothies are made out of? Or any other info on them?

 

[GregG]

I'm getting a Highway Patrolman!

Made a trade for one today. A four incher.

I can hardly wait to see it.

 

[snw19_357]

Welcome to the forum shadowbull! Nice HP you have there.

How close do grip numbers usually match?

Usually they would match exactly but by the mid to late 1970's they stopped numbering them so, there is a good possibility that they paid less attention to which grips they shipped yours with.

Anybody know what kind of wood the smoothies are made out of?

They were made out of Rosewood or Goncalo Alves.
Yours are made out of Goncalo Alves with the extractor (football) relief.

I'm getting a Highway Patrolman!...I can hardly wait to see it.

Nice!!...Neither can we.

 

[shadowbull]

Thank You, snw19_357 for the Welcome, and the info! What a great forum this is!

 

[cooperduper]

New to me, yesterday!

This is SN#N97xxx. Pinned and recessed. 1972????

Now, 5/27 and I shot it some. Very accurate, but not as nice a trigger as my 1913 M&P. I like the narrow trigger better than the target on my 1983 629. Overall, I'm stoked for $350!


Take care,
Rich

 

[Gary7]

My two Model 28s

Here's my 4" Highway Patrolman. S/N N510xxx.

And here's my 6" Highway Patrolman. S/N N532xxx

 

[andy*]

First off, WOW lot's o' nice revolvers here. I just got a pre-28 in a trade.
Serial # S 121XXX,I was told this was made in 1955. This revolver has a 4 inch barrel, is blued and wood grips. The finish is nice with just a bit of a drag line on the cylinder.
This is my first Smith and Wesson gun. Sorry no pictures, no camera.
I sighted in this weekend at 25 yards and was very impressed, as I am no handgun shot. I hope to learn to be one , with this gun however.
Please add my serial # to the list, and thank you for the info in this thread. Andy

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Here's another 28 for the database, a no-dash 4 screw I picked up two weeks ago. Ser# S189XXX, 6" barrel. Used but not abused.
John

 

[-db-]

I suppose I've joined the N-frame club. A pinned and recessed 28-2 I traded a commie rifle for yesterday, # N5811XX.

 

[MP1983]

Hello gang, I'm new to all this online forum stuff, but I've been shooting S&W revolvers since 1983 & have owned my fair share over the years (I, J, K, L, N frames). I caught wind of this site while researching for details about an old Model 28 Highway Patrolman I picked up last month. It's unique in that it's marked DPS on the frame where I've seen others marked NYSP (which I understand means New York State Police). I'm 99% certain it stands for Department of Public Safety (the Texas Highway Patrol), but am waiting for my letter from Mr. Jinks to confirm. I just got a set of Pat Grashorn bone (smoothed elk) grips in the mail today to replace the bulky and plane looking Pachmayrs it had on it when I bought it, and let me tell you they really make it pop. I do hope to have photos towards the end of the month (sorry guys, I have to rely on a friend to come over w/ his digital camera & then figure out how to post them, I still own a 35mm!) Anyway, happy to be aboard.

BTW, who keeps track of the serial numbers, and if I post it w/ the last 2 or 3 digits xx'd out, how does the serial # tracker figure out the missing numbers? Mine is N562XX.

 

[Allen-frame]

MP1983 Welcome to the forum!
Congrats on the H.P.and the Executioner stags. I'll bet it's a
cool combination.

My compadre SNW19 357 is keeping track of numbers in this thread
now, using some kind of spread sheet thingy.
The task became far too daunting for a guy with a pencil and paper
who started this thread 3 years ago.

Good Luck ,and God bless, Allen Frame

 

[snw19_357]

BTW, who keeps track of the serial numbers, and if I post it w/ the last 2 or 3 digits xx'd out, how does the serial # tracker figure out the missing numbers? Mine is N562XX.

My compadre SNW19 357 is keeping track of numbers in this thread...

Welcome to the forum!!

It's a daunting task with a spreadsheet.
Some of my S&W twitches I blame on you and this thread Allen Frame

The last few digits of the serial number are not recorded, tracked, or really that important. It is more the first part of the serial number that gives us an idea of when it was from. Then, adding that to number of screws, barrel length, etc..

 

[MP1983]

Thanks for the intel Allen-frame, and thanks for the further explanation & your dedication to the cause snw19_357 (those spreadsheets can be slippery).

BTW, mine's a 4 inch, and has a surprisingly nice bluing. I don't think it was re-blued, because it has strong holster wear on the muzzle, front of clylinder & on trigger guard, at all the spots you'd expect for a carry gun. Also, the lettering is very sharp and there are no signs of pitting at all under any of the blue - and it has the sandblasting on top as would be expected. I know from reading & viewing this thread that the extent of bluing can vary considerably.

As a sidenote, snw19_357, as a moderator if you can get that "junior member" nonsense changed to US Veteran (as I've seen on many others) on my ID where I post, I'd appreciate it. I haven't been a junior anything for a long time. I was active duty under Ronald Reagan for 3 years from Feb 83 to Feb 86.

 

[-db-]

Hello gang, I'm new to all this online forum stuff, but I've been shooting S&W revolvers since 1983 & have owned my fair share over the years (I, J, K, L, N frames). I caught wind of this site while researching for details about an old Model 28 Highway Patrolman I picked up last month. It's unique in that it's marked DPS on the frame where I've seen others marked NYSP (which I understand means New York State Police). I'm 99% certain it stands for Department of Public Safety (the Texas Highway Patrol), but am waiting for my letter from Mr. Jinks to confirm. I just got a set of Pat Grashorn bone (smoothed elk) grips in the mail today to replace the bulky and plane looking Pachmayrs it had on it when I bought it, and let me tell you they really make it pop. I do hope to have photos towards the end of the month (sorry guys, I have to rely on a friend to come over w/ his digital camera & then figure out how to post them, I still own a 35mm!) Anyway, happy to be aboard.

BTW, who keeps track of the serial numbers, and if I post it w/ the last 2 or 3 digits xx'd out, how does the serial # tracker figure out the missing numbers? Mine is N562XX.

Welcome aboard. Great minds must think alike- I, too, recently ordered a set of Grashorn stags for my 28. Be sure to share some photos once you're all set.

 

[nostraDONus]

I've been enjoying this thread for a while and thought I'd add mine. Purchased last year. Could anyone give me a year for it (N268XXX). Thanks.

 

[AirCommando]

As a sidenote, snw19_357, as a moderator if you can get that "junior member" nonsense changed to US Veteran (as I've seen on many others) on my ID where I post, I'd appreciate it. I haven't been a junior anything for a long time. I was active duty under Ronald Reagan for 3 years from Feb 83 to Feb 86.

I know how you feel, MP, I guess I'm a Senior!
You have to go to the US Veteran's Group and ask to join.

AC

 

[MP1983]

-db-, thanks for the welcome. I will get some pics as soon as I can. I ordered some Eagle Heritage grips for it at first, but they were kinda big (not that anyone's ever accused me of being small at 6' and 255 lbs) and they didn't even fit right on the frame. I've been dealing w/ Eagle grips since 1986, and have always been pleased before this, but can't say I'm a big fan of the Heritage grips. I've seen at least one HP in this thread with some, and as an aftermarket grip they look okay, but I think for the money the Executioner is the way to go. His grips add a custom look and only increase the value (IMO).

 

[MP1983]

thanks AirCommando...I see the ribbons and have nothing but respect!

 

[AirCommando]

Thank you for your service. If you have any problems figuring out how to join, PM me and I'll see if I can help.

AC