28-2 highway patrolman.. with a colt python barrel

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MWD

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My dad picked this one up at a pawn shop for around $300 not to long ago. I've never seen a python barrel on a smith and Wesson before but after shooting it I really fell in love and bought it from him. Its a great shooting gun and my first revolver so I'm just look for a little info on the gun, has anyone seen this before? I'm posting from my phone and can't upload pictures at the moment but I will as soon as I get on my computer.
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A "Smolt". Used to be a somewhat popular conversion before the L frames hit the market. Some shooters liked the muzzle heavy balance the full lug Colt barrel gave, plus it looks kind of cool....

Larry
 
Welcome to the forum MWD.

These “Smolts” or “Smythons” were being assembled starting in the early 1970s if not earilier. Among others the famous PPC gunsmith Bill Davis in California built them on K frames and Ruger Security\Service Six frames. A Python barrel on a Ruger frame was a “Cougar”. They were promoted as having a heavier barrel with a tighter bore than a Ruger or S&W and a better DA trigger than a Colt. Done correctly a S&W received a yoke ball bearing lock to make up for the lost front lock. Bull barrels replaced Python barrels in PPC competition. After the L frame was introduced there wasn’t much point in continuing to make Smolts and Cougars.

K frames and Security\Service six frames had to be drilled then rethreaded for Python barrels. N frame barrel threads are larger than a Python’s so metal had to be added by welding before they were drilled and threaded. That PITA made N frame Smolts unusual revolvers and great collector items today.

Member westcoast362 occasionally posts pictures of his Davis 28-2 8” satin chromed Smolt. Davis installed both a front locking plunger and a ball bearing yoke lock so while westcoast362’s obviously is not a historic pre-WWI 1st model N frame, it’s a Triple-Lock.

I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of your Smolt.
 
I'd really like to see this piece. I've not seen too many Smiths with the Colt barrel, although I've heard of them. Pics please?
 
As a side note the Colt barrels also had a faster twist rate that resulted in better 50yd accuracy with 148gr HBWC . Some PPC guns have as fast as 1 in 10 . Stock S&W is 1 in 18 3/4 . This is why even the vaunted Model 52 will show bullet tipping @ 50yds .
 
The proper designation in this case is a "Smython". :cool:

How about posting a pic. I've never seen one done up on an N frame either. :confused:
 
boatbum101 said:
As a side note the Colt barrels also had a faster twist rate that resulted in better 50yd accuracy with 148gr HBWC . Some PPC guns have as fast as 1 in 10 . Stock S&W is 1 in 18 3/4 . This is why even the vaunted Model 52 will show bullet tipping @ 50yds .
Click to expand...

I have seen more than one report of slower velocities out of equal length Colt handguns.
I wonder if imparting more spin to the bullet is the reason?
 
Thanks for all the information I really appreciate this and makes me like the gun even more. It is well used though and has some wear and tear but I'm hoping to get some new grips and clean it up before I take it shooting again.
 
k22fan;
Actually, the Python barrel's thread is larger than the K frame thread and tapered, so it's the barrel that was turned and rethreaded to fit the S&W frame. I've never seen the N frame conversion before, but if the Python thread is smaller, I'm betting metal was added to the barrel before rethreading - much easier than welding and remachining the frame. This gun looks like the barrel was shortened from the breech, so maybe the Colt shank was simply removed.

Larry
 
lebomm,

I stand corrected. It’s obvious in hindsight that the larger barrel shank wound be turned down and threaded for the smaller K frame thread. However, westcoast362’s 28-2 Smolt is a full 8” so metal was welded on somewhere. In a prior thread in which it was pictured someone posted that the weld was added inside the frame. Even after the welding was done it would be more challenging to rethread the frame straight than to center the barrel in a four jaw chuck so I’d bet you’re correct again. Cutting off the Python barrel shank certainly is the easier way to convert an N frame.
 
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First I've ever heard of a N frame Smolt/Smython... thanks for the pictures.... would have thought the barrel rib and frame would have matched up better on an N frame.

Seemed like the K frame..... was too small....

Also given the position of the "Python" on the barrel...... was it originally a 8 inch barrel??
 
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The proper term for this gun should be, wait for it.......

MINE!!:)
 
I was wondering that myself when I was looking at it if the barrel was maybe a 8" and had been cut down because half of the words on the right side are missing and the python lettering is very close to the frame. Anyoneknow to tell hold old is? Serial starts out N257xxx
 
The SCSW reports the N2xx,xxx numbers were used 1974 to 1977.
 
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