I picked this firearm up yesterday and am very happy with it, took it to the range and it shoots flawlessly. All my S&W 357s are K frames so the size of the N frame was a surprise. It is nice that it came with the matching box and instruction sheet. I am really impressed how smooth and tight the gun operates.

The stocks have no numbers on the inside of them, are these the original? I don't think so. Based on the serial number, approximately when was it made?






Chris

Congrats on getting a nice one. It comes from between 1969 and 1972. The N prefix started at N1 and N100000 started in 1973, that's all the SCSW shows.
I believe those stocks with the speed loader cutout came later and most target stocks were not numbered to the gun.

With the serial number 15,000 I believe your gun would be 1969 or 1970. The speed loader targets started in the early 80s. The model 28 is the plain workhorse version of the model 27. It was target to the LEO market.

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Revolver luvin' Mountaineer

Now you did it Chris...You went and caught N-Frame itis.
There is No cure.
Nice looking one that didn't go far from home at least initially.

I thought the sticker on the bottom was pretty cool, looks like the shop is a police outfitter that is still in business today.

What does the "ST" mean on the label under stocks?

I will look for non cutout targets to make it more authentic.

Chris

I'm not 100% sure so wait for an expert but think it means standard.
You gun most likely came with magnas on it.
This one stayed even closer to home

Great gun! You will love shooting it especially if you are used to shooting k frame 357s. While I am by no means an expert, the informational sticker on the side of the box looks too new to me. From the picture, it looks like there may be an old one underneath it too (old one peeking out at the left top). I would expect this sticker to have aged like the one from the distributor.

Your gun is a very clean example of a popular model. You should have no problem finding period correct grips if you are so inclined. All we need now is a range report.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I believe the ST on the box means Square butt, Target.
Also agree that the label looks to new.

I also believe ST indicates target stocks, and no Target stocks are not numbered as they don't have to be fit to the frame.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I recently picked up a 28-2 serialed in the 80'000 range ( 5 digit) and had it lettered. It shipped in November of 1972 to a distributor in Massachusetts.

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... ed ...

I agree,The label looks too good to be true.It is likely a E-Bay special.

I didn't pay too much for this revolver and the seller made no representation to its authenticity, but I am pretty sure the label is legitimate. The adhesive is dried out and one end of the corner is lifted as you can see below. It is installed upside down as well in my opinion.



Here are both labels together, the one on the bottom is definitely discolored more, but not as much as shown above.



Finally, there is some residue on the other end of the box, not sure what sticker was here.



In terms of a cleaning kit or warrantee card, anything else that would have been in the box when new?

Thanks for the share of information!

Chris

Nice 28 you have there, nice pick-up. As for box contents, the cleaning kit consisting of a cleaning rod, mop, brush, and a SAT (sight adjusting tool), instruction sheet, assorted pamphlets such as "S&W ammunition" and "Holsters for your S&W", and possibly a warranty card, although I believe the older models only had the warranty written in the box cover. Oh, and the ever present S&W vapor paper.

Here's mine minus the items I'm short (Holster pamphlet and correct cleaning rod).




Enjoy your 28, they are fine shooters.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

The M-28 is one of Smith & Wesson's true "classics" IMO....I bought my first one in 73 - a 6 incher, it was my second revolver that I owned.....it rode with me many times in a shoulder holster, as a back up to my holster gun when I was a motor cop.....wearing a leather jacket does have some advantages.....later when I was in a cruiser the 28 rode in my patrol bag on the seat next to me.....I have also been a pilot since the 60's and the M-28 was always part of my "kit" when I was flying.....did a lot of trips over lonely stretches of Cal, Az, NM and Nev ......I have fired over 45,000 documented 357 loads through that gun in 40 years, all of them 160 gr SWC's over 13.5 gr or 15.0 gr of 2400.....I have harvested over a dozen deer with that revolver.....I still carry it when I go afield.....went fishing last Tuesday and that big N frame was riding on my right hip....enjoy your gun....I certainly have mine.