28-2 S prefix re-nickel

[catadjuster]

I know of about 20 Factory Nickel Mod. 28 - they were ordered by the Florida Hwy Patrol to be given to retiring officers. They were marked FHP on the Frame.

 

[Model29-26.5]

The "H" on the back of the cylinder indicated to whoever was polishing the cylinder that it was for a Highway Patrolman, AKA: Model 28, and should receive a satin finish instead of a full polish. The other numbers on the frame, other than model number and serial number, and crane are fitting and assembly numbers. They mean something to S&W, but not to anyone else. As to the nickel finish, it appears to have been well done, but it is not a factory original finish nor is it a refinish by S&W.

This is what I was told by the seller two months after I purchased it:

“It was done at the factory by smith Wesson”
“It was not orignal nickel gun”
“It was done by the previous owner who passed away . It’s never Been shot since it was redone , they completely went thru the gun retimed it and made it as close to new as they could”

I guess the facts may have been distorted or misunderstood, but whoever did it did a super nice job.

I guess Smith will have a record of the work order by SN. I can check? Is this an historical association matter?
How would I go about finding out?
Thanks

 

[stansdds]

S&W keeps good records, so if they did service and/or refinish it, they may be able to tell you. It's certainly worth a shot.

 

[BillyMagg]

Very nice early 28-2, the nickel makes it more interesting even if it began life blue IMO.
Ive also seen early 19-2 cylinders with the "L" stamp which dissapears fairly early and was no doubt to distinguish the new left hand threaded ejector.
The channel cut behind the ejector rod end knurling was the way they identified the new L hand thread ones from the older ones in case parts got comingled.
Ps, Your gun is a bit early for non diamonds IMO but a nice set of smooth presentation Magnas with deep escutcheons woukd really make that one "Pop".

My thoughts as well! Diamond Magna's

 

[Model29-26.5]

My thoughts as well! Diamond Magna's

Yeah but…. I’m a target football guy…
Diamond target would be my pick.
I’ll track some down

 

[cowboy94916]

My first 44 mag was a 29-2 6.5" barrel Nickel with wood case and 3 T's RR WO. Bought it off a guy who took it on an Alaskan Brown bear hunt as a backup. I really loved that gun shot it alot including early pin shoots and practical pistol. In a moment of weakness I traded it for a Magnaported Blue 29-2 4". Thought it would be asy to carry and reduce recoil. Well that it was and I only hunted it once after I shot a deer, while sitting on a rock outcropping, with no hearing protection. I never had a desire to shoot that 4" again without hearing protection. It was god awful horrendous. Lessson learned no more magnaporting for meon hunting guns. The nickel had been a joy to hunt with even without hearing protection.

 

[Model29-26.5]

My first 44 mag was a 29-2 6.5" barrel Nickel with wood case and 3 T's RR WO. Bought it off a guy who took it on an Alaskan Brown bear hunt as a backup. I really loved that gun shot it alot including early pin shoots and practical pistol. In a moment of weakness I traded it for a Magnaported Blue 29-2 4". Thought it would be asy to carry and reduce recoil. Well that it was and I only hunted it once after I shot a deer, while sitting on a rock outcropping, with no hearing protection. I never had a desire to shoot that 4" again without hearing protection. It was god awful horrendous. Lessson learned no more magnaporting for meon hunting guns. The nickel had been a joy to hunt with even without hearing protection.

I don’t shoot anything without hearing protection. Especially magnums.
I did shoot one round of 45 ACP in an outdoor desert range just to see…. No thanks. Ears ringing all day and I think has permanently knocked out a few of the high frequencies in my left ear!

 

[Doc44]

The S&WHF can check the serial number in S&W's records, but most likely only the invoice will be found. Service records are few and far between. It is only luck to find one.

Bill

 

[stansdds]

I don’t shoot anything without hearing protection. Especially magnums.
I did shoot one round of 45 ACP in an outdoor desert range just to see…. No thanks. Ears ringing all day and I think has permanently knocked out a few of the high frequencies in my left ear!

Early in my handgun shooting days I fired off a couple of 357 Magnum rounds without hearing protection. Ears rang for a few days, a little more hearing permanently lost. Hearing loss is cumulative.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

If I'm reading the sn correctly the OP's three-screw frame is earlier than the 227149 number that Doc states for the changeover to the three-screw frame.

 

[Engine49guy]

If its a 4 screw frame it would have to be a dash 1 unicorn.

 

[Model29-26.5]

If I'm reading the sn correctly the OP's three-screw frame is earlier than the 227149 number that Doc states for the changeover to the three-screw frame.

Yes… I was wondering about this?

 

[Engine49guy]

Yes… I was wondering about this?

Did you look inside the yoke cut yet?
Does it say 28-2 ?
Does it have a screw in the front of the trigger guard ?

 

[Model29-26.5]

It is a three screw, but the serial number would indicate that it should be a four screw.
I have messaged Doc about this.
I’d love to know all there is to know.
I will check with the factory.

 

[Engine49guy]

The key feature that makes it a 28-2 was the deletion of the trigger guard screw, the dash 2 suggests that but Im guessin you confirmed that it has no trigger guard screw by saying its a 3 screw?
If no TG screw the serial is not an issue.
If there is a screw thats a very different thing.

 

[Model29-26.5]

The key feature that makes it a 28-2 was the deletion of the trigger guard screw, the dash 2 suggests that but Im guessin you confirmed that it has no trigger guard screw by saying its a 3 screw?
If no TG screw the serial is not an issue.
If there is a screw thats a very different thing.

No screw.