My first M28 no dash (4 screw)

[CKPOMEH]

Ok folks -

I finally lucked out bumping into an excellent M28 (no dash). This is my first S series, no-dash N frame. Grips are matching and in pristine condition. Wish it had a box but it did not...

SN# S 216074 - from SWSC's serial number tables, it says 1960-61, from the M28 description, it suggests up to 1960 for M28 no dash, so is it fair to assume DOB of 1960?

Cheers!

 

[DEF3]

Ship date usually, mine shipped February 62. SN 213775. Nice one. Do the the stocks match the serial number?

 

[Goony]

For what it's worth, S2167XX (also 6") shipped in November of 1961.

 

[Truckman]

This won't help much, but my only current 4-screw 28 (S/N S183746) shipped October 1958... ...Ben

 

[CKPOMEH]

Ship date usually, mine shipped February 62. SN 213775. Nice one. Do the the stocks match the serial number?

yes, same serial number on them (w/o the S pre-fix)

 

[CKPOMEH]

For what it's worth, S2167XX (also 6") shipped in November of 1961.

Is this for M28 (no dash)? If so, it means the no-dash ran well into 1961. SWSC suggested until 1960...

 

[Goony]

Is this for M28 (no dash)? If so, it means the no-dash ran well into 1961. SWSC suggested until 1960...

As has been stated here innumerable times, S&W didn't necessarily ship guns in serial number order. The gun in question could've been actually manufactured in 1960 and yet not have gone out the door until many months had passed.

 

[Gun Relics]

Ok folks -

I finally lucked out bumping into an excellent M28 (no dash). This is my first S series, no-dash N frame. Grips are matching and in pristine condition. Wish it had a box but it did not...

SN# S 216074 - from SWSC's serial number tables, it says 1960-61, from the M28 description, it suggests up to 1960 for M28 no dash, so is it fair to assume DOB of 1960?

Cheers!

That Highway Patrolman finish is in great shape, congratulations.

 

[CKPOMEH]

As has been stated here innumerable times, S&W didn't necessarily ship guns in serial number order. The gun in question could've been actually manufactured in 1960 and yet not have gone out the door until many months had passed.

The question was on when the M28 no dash was discontinued. If yours is m28 no dash and it shipped well in 1961, it probably was manufactured until about then (albeit as we all know shipment and manufacture dates varied) vs. 1960 as indicated in the SWSC…

 

[Crazywader]

Ok folks -

I finally lucked out bumping into an excellent M28 (no dash). This is my first S series, no-dash N frame. Grips are matching and in pristine condition. Wish it had a box but it did not...

SN# S 216074 - from SWSC's serial number tables, it says 1960-61, from the M28 description, it suggests up to 1960 for M28 no dash, so is it fair to assume DOB of 1960?

Cheers!

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View attachment 780069

Absolutely Gorgeous! What a beautiful piece of history! I understand a box adds to the overall purchase and collection but I wouldn't let the 'no box' thing diminish the experience! Dim the lights, Pour a glass of something special, and feel the history in your hands of those artisans who built that thing!

 

[kscharlie]

The question was on when the M28 no dash was discontinued. If yours is m28 no dash and it shipped well in 1961, it probably was manufactured until about then (albeit as we all know shipment and manufacture dates varied) vs. 1960 as indicated in the SWSC…

In one of my "discussions" with Roy Jinks regarding serial numbers and ship dates, he said:

"Charlie, collector put to much importance in serial numbers and forget that these are manufactured products and that serial numbers to Smith & Wesson are only important for the legal requirements of the laws."

This was in regards to an N frame 5-screw target revolver with serial # S130822. SCSW says this is a 1955 manufactured gun. It was shipped in March of 1959. I also have a 5-screw .357 Magnum, serial # S157329. SCSW says 1956-1957 and given the serial number range, most likely 1956. But 1956 was when S&W started cranking out 4-screw guns. So this one skipped the 4-screw version and gun shipped in January, 1958.

Lastly, I also have a Model 27 no dash, serial # S208803, shipped July, 1961. So, yes, no dash N frames were still shipping in 1961. Just depends on when any particular gun was pulled out of the bin, and how long it had already been sitting there.

Like Roy said, we put too much emphasis on serial numbers.

 

[dobegrant]

Congratulations,that is a really nice find

 

[spin132]

Here's another no-dash to help and/or confuse your quest -
S190524 (4-screw) shipped in April of 1959.

 

[CKPOMEH]

Some nice M28s shared above!

I put the M28 above next to a M28-2 (LNIB from the 1980 or so that I ahve), and noticed just two differences (aside from the grips, of couse):
1) The lazy '&' we all know on the barrel in the older guns, nothing new here
2) The sheen on the M28 seemed a little crisper (a tiny bit more 'shiny') - none of them M28s are high polish, so I am not sure if I would use 'shiny' but probably more polished? Hard to see on the photo due to light, but the barrels may be good areas to look at.

 

[duman444]

This one is really out of the time range. Serial number S193999 aftermarket nickel. Shipped January 1970! So, no dash guns shipped out a little later than thought This one must have been hidden in the back of the frame vault for almost 10 years.

 

[Muley Gil]

I have seen Model 28s that looked almost Parkerized and others that were close to the bright blue of a Model 27.

 

[CKPOMEH]

I have seen Model 28s that looked almost Parkerized and others that were close to the bright blue of a Model 27.

Ha - speaking of M28s that appear bright blue, I was going to put a new tread, but I might as well post here. I have this M28-2 that I got 6-7 years ago. It was my first M28, so I did not know what 'satin blue' needed to look like back then...

Now I realize its finish is a lot more polished than what M28 should look like and have started to question if it may have been re-blued. Here are some pics, some are next to M27 and a true Satin Blue M28...

I cannot see signs of re-blue but that almost bright blue finish on M28 is making me suspicious... Sounds like this may be something more common than what I thought?

Trigger and hammer are not CCH, so I suspect someone may have tampered with it. Stock are close SN, but not matching either.

Would appreciate any other opinions on this.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

Your 4" mod. 28 looks like a great example of polishing variations that Muley Gil mentioned in his post. I don't any signs of re-blue. The lettering looks crisp, particularly the logo on the side plate. The side plate seam looks tight and original. I think the hammer and trigger are color case hardened, the color is mostly straw / yellowish. Have you had the side plate off so you can see the entire hammer and trigger? This is one that I'd want to have in my hand before being convinced one way or another.