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

[Stirling]

I'm new to the forum and in South Africa, my first handgun was an N-frame M28-2 4" revolver that I acquired in September 1989. Serial N508XXX.

I have really enjoyed this revolver over the years, it has a smooth double action and you know when she's locked up before you let off your shot. Accurate too. I also have a 4" M29-2, serial N724XXX.

I definitely have a biased towards N-frame Smiths and really enjoy browsing through these forums. I only wish firearms were as freely available here as they appear to be in the USA.

I wouldn't mind some insights into the origins of my two Smiths.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Stirling, we like pictures . Please post some of your 28 here. Might want to start a new thread on the M29. Oh, and welcome to the forum from the Wiregrass!!

 

[texboy]

Nickel 28-2

I have the oppty. to purchase a Mod 28-2, 4" in Nickel. Sounds like an original Nickel HP would be rare....I've looked all over the gun for any signs that it may be a re-finish....It's a high polish nickel except for the top strap, all edges, and the bottom side of the gun...those edges are all "satin" or "brushed". The recessed cylinder is only nickel around the edges (also satin) but the center star is black or natural metal color. Trigger and Hammer are case hardened color (look to be all orig). All lettering looks clean/clear with the exception of the ".357" on the barrel....the very top portion of the 3-5-7 is more faint. There are no letter stamps (like the H I've read about) on the cylinder. Ser# is N268XX. Inside the crane and under the grips the number 14683 appears. Under the grips on the right side the following stamps appear: "P" with a circle around it, "K" inside of a triangle, upside down "A". On the left side under the grips appear: "RB" inside a circle, "B3" by itself, the number 14683, and lastly what appears to be a "SI" or "S1". I will say that these stamps under the grips are more faint and a bit hard to read. Last thing, there also appears to be a "1" or "L" mark on the cylinder swing arm.

At this point in my life I'm mostly only buying S&W guns that are unique or more rare...so I don't really have a need for just another .357, but if someone can give me an idea on whether this might be one of the original rare nickel guns, I'd probably buy it. Price is $520.00 from a gun store....and they just got it in so I don't think they will be very nego based on my prior dealings with them.

Thoughts??

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have the oppty. to purchase a Mod 28-2, 4" in Nickel. Sounds like an original Nickel HP would be rare....I've looked all over the gun for any signs that it may be a re-finish....It's a high polish nickel except for the top strap, all edges, and the bottom side of the gun...those edges are all "satin" or "brushed". The recessed cylinder is only nickel around the edges (also satin) but the center star is black or natural metal color. Trigger and Hammer are case hardened color (look to be all orig). All lettering looks clean/clear with the exception of the ".357" on the barrel....the very top portion of the 3-5-7 is more faint. There are no letter stamps (like the H I've read about) on the cylinder. Ser# is N268XX. Inside the crane and under the grips the number 14683 appears. Under the grips on the right side the following stamps appear: "P" with a circle around it, "K" inside of a triangle, upside down "A". On the left side under the grips appear: "RB" inside a circle, "B3" by itself, the number 14683, and lastly what appears to be a "SI" or "S1". I will say that these stamps under the grips are more faint and a bit hard to read. Last thing, there also appears to be a "1" or "L" mark on the cylinder swing arm.

At this point in my life I'm mostly only buying S&W guns that are unique or more rare...so I don't really have a need for just another .357, but if someone can give me an idea on whether this might be one of the original rare nickel guns, I'd probably buy it. Price is $520.00 from a gun store....and they just got it in so I don't think they will be very nego based on my prior dealings with them.

Thoughts??

Factory nickeled 28s are extremely rare, and most nickeled 28s were made so by others. The verified ones (only 5) were done in satin nickel, and you mention a high polish on this gun. The gun does seem to have other hallmarks of a factory job - the ejector star being blued, the trigger and hammer being case-hardened, etc. However, a re-finisher may have simply done a more careful job; most of them nickel everything - a sure instant giveaway being a nickeled hammer and trigger.

Look closely at the stampings on the exterior of the gun. If they seem rounded, dished or faint, it would be evidence of careless polishing before nickeling.

The only way to be absolutely sure is to get a factory letter that will tell you in what configuration it left S&W. If I were sure of my charm and persuasiveness, I'd ask the gun store to put it on hold with a $50 "earnest money" deposit pending receipt of a verifying factory letter. They probably won't agree, but it would be worth a shot. Then you'd be out around $100 for the deposit and the letter if the response was negative as to originality. If it does come back as original, it would be worth WAY more than $520 to a collector. The odds, of course, are against this.

So the only question, if you want to risk $520 plus tax would be:

Do I feel lucky?

John

 

[texboy]

Many thanks. I was able to put it on hold for a few days with a refundable deposit. I did call S&W but the guy mentioned here that does the history checks is out till November
All the engraving/scripting on the gun is very legible and does not look faint at all....with the exception of the top of the ".357" letters on the barrell...just the top part of the numbers look a little faint. I did have a harder time making out the stamps under the grip (and there were lots of them as I noted above) and everything inside the gun looked normal/original....I did not see any signs of a re-do.

What to do?? Wonder if there are any other signs to look for that may indicate a refinish? Can anyone add additional insight on the markings under the grips?

 

[kdailey]

My latest 28-2 4" that found it's way into my possession last week. #N229***

 

[DCrunch]

2 / 4" 28-2 Ser#s S322***, S320***. I got them in 1993. They had DPS inscribed. I had Robar's NP3 finish done on one.

 

[texboy]

28 Nickel

Regarding the Nickel 28....I also wanted to mention that while the gun certainly has a polished finish on it, the top strap (where the sights are located) and the bottom side of the gun (around the trigger guard and down the inside of the grip handles) are brushed or satin nickel.
I've also been looking at pictures of older S&W's that were nickel plated...I saw a nickel model 27 and the ejector on this Model 28 I'm considering actually looks like the ejector in the model 27...it's not as much of a "star" as it is more square. Again, the ejector rod face is dark blue or black colored....not case hardened color or nickel.

Still perplexed about this gun. I've attached a pic of what the recessed cylinder looks like on this gun....to me this is not the typical "star" pattern, but has more of a boxed look to it.

 

[bigi]

If you can get it for under $500 take it and enjoy it. See the N on a nickel M27?

 

[old guard6.5]

Hello gentleman,
first timer so here's my question. did Smith and Wesson make a 5 inch besides the 25 nickel Florida HP model 28. In all my research I have found none. a friend of mine showed me a 5 inch Highway Patrol Pened barrel ,reset cylinder, diamond grips, target hammer and trigger with the Highway Patrol logo at the 6 inch position right side location with the serial number that dates to 1958 I can only assume that this was a 6 inch cut to 5 inch, the front sight has 2 small pins at the base of this front sight .I will try to figure out how to get you guys pictures . I know the question will be asked if I measure a properly the answer is yes. thanks I hope you guys could help .

 

[A10]

Welcome to the forum old guard! My guess it that it was modified, particularly given the target hammer and trigger, which would be uncommon (to say the least) from the facory. Only a letter from Mr. Jinks will confirm this though. Any evidence of re-blueing? Pics would help if you get the chance.

 

[old guard6.5]

thanks A-10 ,that happens to be my favorite plane .I will soon figure out how to put the pictures on the internet I'm not to computer savvy but to answer your question it does not look reblued I think it is a factory 5 inch barrel I have never seen one of the 5 inch Florida models I'm just guessing that it is factory

 

[kcphelps]

I just traded into this.
N5363xx

 

[Dump1567]

 

[jrhoney]

So one of the guys in the new Sporting Arms Club at my University has a Model 28-3 in very good condition that I am trying to get from him. At our next shoot I'll try and snap some pictures of it and get the serial from it. Oh and it is a 6"

 

[silvermane]

Factory Nickel???

Any way to tell if the following is a factory nickel gun?

S&W Model 28-2
4in barrel
N237146

 

[TAROMAN]

There were VERY few nickled 28s.
The only way to be certain is to get a ($50) factory letter.

 

[Stirling]

Stirling, we like pictures . Please post some of your 28 here. Might want to start a new thread on the M29. Oh, and welcome to the forum from the Wiregrass!!

OK, it's been a while but I've eventually got my Smiths out for some quick pics. I do have the original grips but I prefer to shoot them with the rubber grips.

 

[dwpmusic]

Beautiful. Thanks for the pics.

 

[karatgold1]

S&W nickel model 28 Highway Patrolman

I need help with my nickel plated Highway Patrolman. The serial number is S275xxx. I'm trying to find out if it's real or a fake.
Thanks,
in advance