I have model 28-2 that I believe is an original nickel plated gun. I was told by S&W it was made in approximately 1975. From what I understand this is a rare gun, can anyone confirm?image.jpg

More pictures image.jpg

Welcome to the forum but don't hold your breath on the nickel. Very few original, many aftermarket.

That's what I hear, my grandfather purchased it from the original owner about 15 years ago for $150. Supposedly never re finished.image.jpg

Nickel S&W's of that vintage have an "N" stamped on the rear of the cylinder, between two of the chambers.

The experts will chime in shortly but from what I have read on other threads is that the nickel plated 28s were primarily made for the gun salesmen to show them off while making calls on customers.

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Hank
SWCA 2945

Not a very good picture but here you go, looks like maybe a tiny stamp on it?image.jpg

A true nickel would have the N stamped under the stocks on the frame. But as I mentioned before, I believe most nickeled 28s were salesman's examples and may not have been stamped N form the factory.

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Hank
SWCA 2945

I believe these are the only markings under the grips. image.jpg

Its worth noting that the hammer, trigger, and sights were not nickeled and it appears to have a trigger shoe. It also appears as though there is a red insert in the front sight. Someone much more knowledgeable than I will give you an answer as soon as they see the thread.
Good luck,
Hank

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Hank
SWCA 2945

Here is a Forum search about the topic. Somewhere in there member Doc44 has a photo and information about the (very few) originals. Enjoy all the reading!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/searchr...+nickel+&sa=Go

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Absent the "N" markings no collector is going to believe this is an original nickel without factory confirmation.

If I recall right, there were 54 nickel M28s made. All 4" in brushed nickel and none in bright nickel. I think 1975 would be too late. I think they date from earlier than that. Again, as I recall they did NOT have the N stamped on them as a regular production nickel gun would have.

If you really believe it's original (and honestly, I see no reason to think it is), then letter it and confirm it. Without the documentation proving it's original, guessing is worthless.

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No life story has happy end.

Ditto ^^^^^^^^ on the letter. Get it done and get back to us. It's purdy but I like nickel guns anyhow.

Here is what I wrote down from past threads. There are approximately 50 known 28s with original factory nickel in the serial range S287000 to N59000. Some were bright polished but most had a duller brushed finish. The biggest order was about 25 in brushed finish that went to a police department. Doc44 has a picture of his brushed finish 4" nickel 28-2 in his picture album.

I did not read the story about them being salesmen's' samples until reading this thread.

There is a clue in one of the O.P.'s pictures. It appears that while the rest of the revolver was polished bright to preserve its serial number the bottom of its butt was not polished.

Other wise, the $50 cost for a factory letter would be better spent on a pair of walking shoes to wear out while searching the side walks for the winning 6 million dollar lotto ticket in the hope that it was dropped. Either way your odds are not too good but hunting for the ticket you at least get some exercise.

There were 25 made for the Florida Highway Patrol with a 5"
barrel, and marked FHP #32 - #56 shipped in 1959.
Serial number range S189071 - S192687.
Page 196 SCS&W 3rd Edition.

Stu

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NRA Benefactor/Cert Instructor

I don't believe it's anything, I was just curious. Obviously a letter takes time, I thought maybe someone might have a few definite answers and not just assumptions.

Your 28-2 is not one of the fifty plus with a brushed nickel finish that was shipped in 1972 (I have all of the serial numbers). These revolvers did not have an N stamped on the cylinder or grip frame. They were not salesman's samples as they were shipped to several distributors. A letter is the only way you can verify the original finish on your Highway Patrolman.

Bill

I was curious on one thing in your first picture.
Is one of the sideplate screws blued and the other nickel ?

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

The picture in post #2 shows what appear to be file marks running lengthwise along the butt. If my eyes are not deceiving me, this is proof that the gun has been refinished.

Bob

Welcome to the FORUM! Regardless, you should have a fine shooter there! I have a 6" no dash from 1960. Wouldn't mind a 4 incher too. Shoot & enjoy your 28! Bob

Look at the pic on post #9. Are those jaw marks on the frame flat?
Who would put a gun in an un-padded vise? And to perform what task?
These marks have all ways puzzled me. Comments.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Mike...I have seen those marks on other S&Ws made in the 70s. Not that uncommon.

Bill

Thanks Bill, so they could be factory original marks? Perhaps a rare variation?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Thanks this is the info I was looking for. To address the question about the side cover screws they're both nickel. And those are not file marks on the butt of the gun, it has to be in the forging of the gun. Also I noticed the vise marks on the frame also. I know at some point it had the shoe put on the trigger, the orange front sight and trigger job done so they could of been from that. If the gun was indeed refinished whoever did it, did a heck of a job. The pistol has been in our family since around 94' when my grandfather bought it from the original owner. He had known of the gun 10 years prior to purchasing it so it must of been refinished when it was fairly new.

I may be wrong about the file, but those streaks are NOT from the forging. That area would have been polished smooth prior to stamping the number.

Bob

I looks to be a nicely done nickel job.

The gun is a sweet shooter, albeit, not in its original factory finish. But to me, that is not a big deal.

It still has value to many Smith and Wesson fans as a great shooter that can be easily cleaned up, and carried as you don't have to worry about losing the blueing.

28s are great shooters.

Being a machinist myself I can tell you 100% those are not file marks.

It is a great finish and I agree it is a phenomenal shooter.

Talked to one of the guys at whittakers guns today and showed him the patrolman, He's a big time smith collector. He agreed the serial number was too high but said the nickel job was second to none. His hypothesis is that the gun was sent back to S&W for some nickel.

Another vote for a letter from Roy. The gun looks right, but a letter is the only way to know for sure. If it is original, that would be noteworthy.

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Even older, even crankier....

His hypothesis is that the gun was sent back to S&W for some nickel.

Generally the grip frame would be date stamped in that case.
also marked to show a refinish in Nickel.... again generally.

If it were mine I'd roll the dice and letter it.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Back in the time your Highway Patrolman was made, S&W literature specified that they offered NO CHANGE OF FINISH for the Highway Patrolman. It shipped in matte blue "and we LIKED it!" Your work was done by an above-average shop, for sure, but not by the factory.

It is unusual for a factory history letter to be able to specify any repair work or refinish done at the factory after it was initially sold and shipped. A letter will practically always just tell you how it was initially shipped. when and to where.

Before the introduction of stainless steel handguns, nickel was the most rust-resistant finish commonly encountered. Lots of aftermarket plating was done, ranging from ****** bumpershop chrome to finishes better than the S&W factory. A receipt or a stamping by the vendor would be the only way to know for sure who did it.

A former partner of mine at the PD bought a new M28, took it home and did a home nickel plate job on it. Later on, he scoped it. It was a heck of a shooter.

Some of the firearms that S&W turned out in the '70s had issues with the fit and finish.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

So if in 1975 you had a HP with a lot of muzzlewear you could not send it back to S&W to be nickeled? I find that hard to understand. I could see they might not ship a new one that way but a returned one i think they would?

I own a K22 nickeled from blue that i was told was done in the seventies from the factory and no rework marks were put on the gun.
I will say I can not prove it as this info was given to me months after i bought the gun from the owner that sent it in. Finish on it is as new.

"No change of finish" was what their literature said. The Highway Patrolman's matte or brushed finish was the primary cost savings over the high polish Model 27, and the factory wanted to maintain the distinction. Whether they did or did not nickel refinish any, I don't know, but I have never seen one documented. Lots of "I heard they did" but have never seen a receipt for one.

There are always exceptions. One member here has a Highway Patrolman that had been rechambered to .45 Colt, and the factory refinished in to bright, high polish blue. Their written policy was to not work on altered guns, but they did this one.

What he said.

I have a 28 S.F.P.D. Awesome shooter, I absolutely love it. Still waiting on my letter.

S&W seems to have "lost" my paper work so I had to re-send the info via email. Hopefully I will hear something soon.

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101st Airborne