Since N prefix serial numbers ran from 1969 to 1986, your gun was most likely shipped sometime between 1969 & 1986. Now if you were to put some other numbers behind that N I could probably zero in a little closer to an exact year, maybe even a month. If you are afraid to post the whole number, you could just make the last two digits x's. For example; N1234xx.
But the M28-3 was introduced in 1982, so that would be the upper limit.
"N43239"
My book says '70 - '72 for serial numbers N1 to N60000
N1 to N60000 is correct for the years 1970-1972. However, keep in mind different N frame models had different blocks of serial numbers assigned to them. So you cannot extrapolate those 60,000 numbers and conclude that your revolver was built near the end, say some particular month in 1972. If N43000 fell into a block reserved for the Model 28-2 (which obviously it did) and a run of Model 28-2 revolvers was assembled in, say, February of 1971, yours might well have been made at that time. A lower block of numbers (N10000 to N20000 for example) might have been reserved for the Model 29-2 but not assembled until November of 1971, well after your Highway Patrolman with a higher number was assembled.
All these examples are hypothetical. I'm just trying to illustrate the difficulty of guessing at when this gun was assembled by simply looking at its serial number and comparing it with a range like N1 to N60000. When you add to this that shipping order is completely different than assembly order, you really cannot make rational guesses as to when a particular revolver might have been shipped, based on the serial number lists in the Standard Catalog. This is particularly true with the N prefix numbers.
Here is the summation: Your revolver was assembled sometime in the 1970-1972 period. It would have shipped sometime after it was assembled (anywhere from sometime in 1970 up to sometime in 1973, probably not later than that). If you want any more exactitude, you will have to get a letter, which will tell you exactly when it left the factory.
Just inherited a 357 highway patrolman in good shape, has no model no on barrel, but assume it is a 28, would like to know date of mfg..serial no is on butt between grips and is partial
N540, is that enough,
Thanks in advance
Y'know, I think Jack is absolutely correct. Our tables are so inaccurate about an actual shipping date that we shouldn't use them or provide an answer to these "when was my gun made?" requests. Perhaps we should just say "go get an historian's letter of authenticity."
Waylonhorse, Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Your gun, SN N540, or N540x, or N540xx, or N540xxx was very approximately shipped in 1969-72, 1969-72, 1969-72 or 1978-80, respectively.
Just inherited a 357 highway patrolman in good shape, has no model no on barrel, but assume it is a 28, would like to know date of mfg..serial no is on butt between grips and is partial
N540, is that enough,
Thanks in advance
A Model 28 will say "Highway Patrolman" on the right side of the barrel, along with an odd design and "357 CTG" The model number won't be on the barrel, but a gun with an N prefix is new enough that the model number will be stamped in the notch of the frame where the yoke pivots, (open the cylinder to see it). Most likely it will say Model 28-2, and it will have a pinned barrel and recessed chamber bores at the rear of the cylinder. You'll also see the SN stamped in the notch, just above the model number.
Below pictured is my Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman which shipped October 13, 1975 per the Factory Letter of Authentication, copy attached.
The SCSW 4th Edition, shows the N 200000 serial number range to be 1974 to 1977.
This example shows what the other posters are delineating: basically if you list a complete serial number with letters and even "X"'s in lieu of the last 2 or 3 numbers, we can get you into a approx. range of years, but if you would like to know exact, you need to send to Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation for a factory LOA. The cost of the research and the Letter is less if you are a Member of SWCA, and even less again if you are a Member of both SWCA and SWHF....real good reasons to join now.
Member assistance on the public side of the Forum is always free and you know you find very generous folks here with their time and expertise, but again....I've found it gets better and better by joining the SWCA and SWHF and contributing what you can.
Enjoy the 28-2...they are real fine guns and not made anymore so the gun also gets better and better!
Purchased new in 1969. A few hundred rounds through it, mostly .38s.
S/N: N105--. Local shooter interested. Is there value as a collectable model or just a 50+ year old revolver?
Purchased new in 1969. A few hundred rounds through it, mostly .38s.
S/N: N105--. Local shooter interested. Is there value as a collectable model or just a 50+ year old revolver?
There is no specific value for 28s as a collector, barring unusual features. Those would be an 8 3/8" barrel, factory nickel, or specific provenance.
Value is based very much on condition. A rusty uncared for 28 could be a 400 dollar gun, a near perfect original finish gun with box, sight adjustment tool (screwdriver) original grips, etc., could be a 12 or 1300 dollar gun. The longer barrel or nickel finish could add to these values.
Manufacture Date for Highway Patrolman
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