Model S&W 28 8 3/8 S.F.P.D

[Harry_Callahan]

Hello folks,

I need an opinion on this 28. Probably most of you know I'm from Italy



The gun shop is asking for about 600$ (475€)

Has no paperwork or box
Needs a good cleaning
Looks not in great shape (I have other photos if you like)
I don't think the grips are correct

According to the shop it's from 1971
I know 8 3/8 28 are rare

What should I do with this 28 marked S.F.P.D ?

It would only be for collecting purpose, I have a 686-6 for .357

Thanks!

 

[VM]

HC - does the barrel actually say "Highway Patrolman" or just "357 Magnum"? At first thought, I'd guess that a Model 27 barrel was installed on a Model 28 frame.
(does the barrel have checkered topstrap?)

 

[Florida Guy]

Looks pretty rough, and indeed, the grips are incorrect.

 

[murphydog]

Exactly, the barrel looks to have the polished blue finish, and I would guess a checkered top rib. The original stocks would have been the Magna or service style.

 

[Harry_Callahan]

I've have to ask the gun shop for a photo of the other side of the barrel, I don't know if it has Highway Patrolman or 357 Magnum

I don't see any checkering on top, I'm no expert so take a look:

 

[murphydog]

Is the top of the barrel (not the top strap of the gun) checkered? This would be a sure sign of a model 27 part. The top strap of the gun is proper model 28, matte blue and smooth.

 

[Harry_Callahan]

here is a better view of the barrel:



edit:

 

[Harry_Callahan]

Is the top of the barrel (not the top strap of the gun) checkered? This would be a sure sign of a model 27 part. The top strap of the gun is proper model 28, matte blue and smooth.

seems to be checkered, the 2° photo is out of focus but neer the front sight there is checkering


so it seems to be a bummer! I'll pass on this one

 

[murphydog]

Yes, definitely what we call a "parts gun". I don't know what the prices are for S & W revolvers in Italy but this one is definitely worth less than if it was all original.

 

[Stu1205]

Let's see a picture of the right side of the barrel.

 

[M29since14]

It would only be for collecting purpose, I have a 686-6 for .357
Thanks!

With this in mind, obviously, no.

If you could locate a proper barrel for the gun, maybe - for a shooter. I don't know what the market is like in Italy but you would have the weigh the costs of the gun, barrel, and any labor against the cost of a similar, original gun. Seems likely even that approach wouldn't make sense, unless you would be able to sell the Model 27 barrel and recover some of your funds.

 

[calcifer]

sorry for the late answer, Harry.
I'm from Italy too (Bergamo) , and I'm the owner of a 28-2 with the correct 4" barrel, marked exactely as the one in the picture : SFPD
This makes me think that a lot of these guns, coming from the SFPD have been imported to Italy, probably together, passing through a previous german importation (my one has the proof test markings of the german authority).
Anyway, the price for the gun in the picture is EXTREMELY high.
For my one, purchased early 2012, in MUCH better conditions and original barrel, I've paid 400 Eur ( 500 $ @ actual exchange rate)

 

[Harry_Callahan]

sorry for the late answer, Harry.
I'm from Italy too (Bergamo)

Ciao

This makes me think that a lot of these guns, coming from the SFPD have been imported to Italy, probably together, passing through a previous german importation (my one has the proof test markings of the german authority).

interesting!

Well, still looking for a 28-2 "Sportiva", you know what I'm talking about with italian laws

 

[calcifer]

Well, still looking for a 28-2 "Sportiva", you know what I'm talking about with italian laws

well, be patient and have a look to "armiusate.it"
sometimes you can find 28-2 6" at a good price.

by the way, the 28-2 is an excellent wheelgun, I will never sell my one, even it it takes one of the 3 places in the "armi comuni"

Just for curiosity, where are you from ? And which is the gun shop where you saw that strange 28-2 ??

 

[nipster]

That's a model 27 barrel. The checkering and patridge sight give it away, as does the "S&W 357 Magnum" roll stamp on the right side of the barrel.

There's one for sale locally for $650, I laugh at them every time I go in there.

 

[Varangi]

Come sta Senior Harry,
I spent 30 years with the San Francisco Police Department. Here's a history lesson as to why all these SFPD marked 28's are off shore. First of all, there were no "long Tube" 8 3/8 barreled SFPD guns- Ever!

4&6 inch guns were the issued weapon for uniformed officers for over 25 years starting in the 70's. In the mid-90's, we as a department converted to semi-autos. Before the anti-gun, left wing crazies in our local government became aware, we were able, for a short, one time event to buy back our "service revolver". Some did and all was right in the world. Unfortunately, a few of these SFPD stamped guns showed up at crime scenes- We, Cops are our worst enemy- some sold them to the public. Hence, the ban on sales- We had 2 options-well 3 actually:

1. Destroy them- or store them indefinitely
2 Recycle them to other gun manufacturers
3. Sell them off shore-

I actually thought we were still storing them- I guess money talks- even with self- righteous, commie, liberal crazies.
As a side note, we beat the **** out of those 28's- I would not buy it unless you wanted the nostalgia of mid-70's SFPD lore-

Caio Bello!

Mike

 

[calcifer]

Come sta Senior Harry,
I spent 30 years with the San Francisco Police Department. Here's a history lesson as to why all these SFPD marked 28's are off shore. First of all, there were no "long Tube" 8 3/8 barreled SFPD guns- Ever!

4&6 inch guns were the issued weapon for uniformed officers for over 25 years starting in the 70's. In the mid-90's, we as a department converted to semi-autos. Before the anti-gun, left wing crazies in our local government became aware, we were able, for a short, one time event to buy back our "service revolver". Some did and all was right in the world. Unfortunately, a few of these SFPD stamped guns showed up at crime scenes- We, Cops are our worst enemy- some sold them to the public. Hence, the ban on sales- We had 2 options-well 3 actually:

1. Destroy them- or store them indefinitely
2 Recycle them to other gun manufacturers
3. Sell them off shore-

I actually thought we were still storing them- I guess money talks- even with self- righteous, commie, liberal crazies.
As a side note, we beat the **** out of those 28's- I would not buy it unless you wanted the nostalgia of mid-70's SFPD lore-

Caio Bello!

Mike

ciao Mike,
very interesting !
that's why many of these 28's are now in Europe...

About the bad conditions of most of them, I should have been lucky, since my one is in good general conditions, sharp edged barrel bore, and very accurate in shooting.

here's a couple of pictures of my one :

Mike, maybe you're the right person for my question.... I'd like to give this gun his original holster too, so I wonder wich kind of holster did the SFPD used for this gun during the 70's - early 80's
can you give me an idea ??