The ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.including N frame ser# ranges

[HighPercentile]

Glad to help. The 686 and the Ruger are good guns, but I would go with the one you're looking at. Why specifically don't you think this is the right one? My 28-2 is by far my favorite gun to shoot. As heavy as it is it absorbs a lot of the recoil and these are built like tanks. This is the same frame as the 44 magnums. These are especially fun to handload for too. I really need to get a video of mine shooting my handloads some time. You can load the 357 really hot for this gun since it's built so much stronger and make some huge fireballs too. Back on topic though, this is a great gun for targets and plinking, even hunting too.

As for the color of the hammer and trigger, is called color case hardening. It's a type of heat treatment they do on the metal to harden the metal, and it leaves behind some really cool color patterns. I can see that the revolver your looking at still has that, which is why I said they did the refinish right.

He meant to say that he thinks they are asking too much by $200, so he thinks the value is $499

ok, now i understand--i wasn’t sure if he meant the grips were $200 or if the gun was $200; "$200 less” didn’t cross my mind. that extra period threw me off!

i think the reason i’m sort of against this purchase is my own bias; i never really search pawn shops for firearms, just window-shop. so far i’ve been gifted the 2 aforementioned S&W revolvers, a Model 41 w/ 7” barrel, and a Marlin 336 30-30. Everything else i’ve bought new (Rem. 870, 10/22 TALO Itac, my EDC XDS 3.3” 9mm, and my new (LOVE IT!!!) BCM Jack carbine. i don’t mean any offense to anyone here who may own/work/buy at pawn shops! i lived in New Orleans for about 10 years and best friend owned the largest/oldest shop in the city (now closed). the behind-the-scenes exposure that i had plus going through the hundreds of guns that i helped him “salvage" after Katrina left me w/ a fairly sketchy vision of pawned guns. (sorry BF, still love ya!) and this salesman’s lack of knowledge re: this HP didn’t help either. there’s several gun shops around me that sell used and i’ve never had anyone balk at any questions when i had them. so that’s where my hesitancy comes in, although of course i realize the exact opposite can be true in any of these situations. if it’ not a unique piece for a great price, i usually prefer to spend the extra few hundred to buy new/warrantied/known history/etc.

all that said, y’all have made my mind buzz around this non-stop!! the N-frame really does have a lot going for it as you mentioned....and i’ve never actually fired a HP/686/Ruger .357 to even be able to compare. with my CCW it’s a relatively simple purchase and i know they give 24-hour returns on store items, but have no idea if that includes firearms. perhaps if i show up with a wad of cash and a box of good photographic and stereo equipment i could get the price down to where it feels like less of a gamble.....dunno!?! the photo i took was a sneak shot as i wasn’t sure what the policy was, but then i wound up handling it anyway. i’m glad (and a bit amazed) that y'all can see so much from the one photo. beyond the agreed-upon butt-ugly and uncomfortable grip i couldn’t find a single blemish; that finish is some pretty stout stuff!

i realize y’all have helped and answered pretty much what's possible and it’s up to me to figure it out. i could waffle on this thread forever!---again, i appreciate the advice a lot!! forums like this can be so helpful these days; glad i joined up!!

in any case for the time being, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

[HighPercentile]

Bought it!!

hi again all!!

very happy to report that I went back and gave the revolver a thorough inspection, utilizing 2 excellent references to check out a revolver for purchase. over the weekend I applied the examination to my other revolvers to get a better reference and check mine out at the same time. the 28-2 passed all tests with flying colors, and has a lovely, light DA trigger pull (lighter than my S&W .38 Models 10 and 36). as previously mentioned the asking price was $700. after the exam I told them I was interested but the price was too high. they asked how much I would consider buying it for, I said $500, and after looking through his computer they agreed! I had even offered cash/Blu-Ray player/mower to trade in to get the cost down but it wasn't necessary. I need to take this foul grip off but am stoked otherwise!

an interesting aside, at least for Florida residents: I was able to purchase and walk out with it on the spot with my FL CCW and filled out the online application. after the consent came through the owner told me it was the fastest approval he had ever gotten, so fast that he even inquired as to why. they told him it was handled by last names, and as my last name is pretty rare (400 or so in the USA) apparently that's why it was approved so quickly. I did ask if it was FBI or state and he said state. dunno what all goes into that background check, but perhaps that's some FYI for someone out there.

will post range reports as soon as I go, and I'll take some photos in a minute. grips will be the first to go, but y'all can follow it's progression. VERY happy camper tonight!!!

thanks once again for all the help that I received here---this purchase likely would not have happened without y'all!

 

[bruner1981]

Big thumbs up from me! Congrats on the purchase and you got it for a great price. Enjoy!

 

[243winxb]

28-2 N4427X

New in 1972. Paid $118. Still have bill of sale.

 

[Deftone]

Ok, I'm in. Just purchased a Model 28, 4" S.F.P.D.



It's consignment, so I have to wait a few weeks, then I can DROS and I have to wait another 10 days.

I called the gun store and they said the S/N is N184XX, so I guess that makes mine a '69-72. I'll paper it when I get it.

In the meantime, I'm stoked! I just scored a original Hoyt holster marked "357 HP4 S.F.P.D." to go with it.

Finally got my letter from Roy Jinks. "...shipped from the factory on January 20, 1971, and delivered to Hall of Justice, San Francisco, CA. "

 

[Genesispc]

28-1 for Allen Frame

Allen
I do believe I have a model 28-1. My brother was a prison guard at San Quinton over 50 years ago. And I have owned this gun now for at least 25.
What pictures can I send you to find out and maybe whether is or isn't a 28-1 find value.
Thanks for your post was very knowledgeable read. I realize it was written 9 year's ago almost so hopefully your still in group. Can email me directly at [email protected]
Thanks
Phil

 

[rjm6120]

I started a thread on my 28-2 addition last week, but I'll post it here, too. A 6" version, s/n N47XX, which I believe puts it @ 1970. I have a set of Herrett Shooting Stars coming for it.

 

[Ron M.]

I just purchased a HP, S/N 5XX911 (funny, those last three digits) for $550 plus the usual DROS/tax. Six inch barrel, original grips. Finish probably better than 90%, only noticeable wear on the right side of the frame near the grip (fellow must have rested his hand on his holster a lot). Nine more days before it's released to me (waiting period). I had been to the Chico, CA gun show earlier that day, prices were pretty outrageous for a decent used S&W .357...found this one on consignment two blocks from the show. Hope it's worth what I paid.

 

[bruner1981]

I just purchased a HP, S/N 5XX911 (funny, those last three digits) for $550 plus the usual DROS/tax. Six inch barrel, original grips. Finish probably better than 90%, only noticeable wear on the right side of the frame near the grip (fellow must have rested his hand on his holster a lot). Nine more days before it's released to me (waiting period). I had been to the Chico, CA gun show earlier that day, prices were pretty outrageous for a decent used S&W .357...found this one on consignment two blocks from the show. Hope it's worth what I paid.

I thought some of the prices at that show were pretty reasonable. I passed on a NIB 28-2 with target stocks, 4" barrel for $650. I would have bought it if I had the money available

 

[Steve Cornell]

Picked up a 28-2 S this weekend

I picked up a 28-2 at a gun show in Clarksburg, WV this weekend.
The first handgun I ever purchased was a new 28-2 in 1979, I had a TT, TH, RR, and WO installed but sold it in the early nineties because of hard times, I always regretted selling that gun..... so I saw this one with the exact same items I had installed on my old gun I got excited and thought "could this be my old gun??" the gun is in excellent condition however it was not my old one, this one dates to 1967 I believe (S304 SN)
I'm happy with the purchase, I paid $600 but it does not have the proper grips and I'm discovering the correct grips are outrageous, I'll probably end up putting Eagles or similar target grips on it unless I find a good deal on original ones.
From my research, I think the correct ones would have the diamond? is this correct??

 

[ejjeff]

Got to love blue steel and wood ��

 

[Trafficboss]

Last year I posted a pic of this Highway Patrolman with a serial number of S1046XX. Since that time I have received a letter from Smith & Wesson indicating that it shipped to Huey Philips Co in Worcester, MA on May 19, 1954.

 

[Wonder boy]

New member here. I have inherited my uncles' mod 28-2 ser# N598Xx
3 screw. Left side below the cylinder has the # 802 201207 on the frame.
My understanding is, this is a department's issue number. Is there a way to find out which department it might be? He was at one time a border patrol officer , Texas game warden, deputy sheriff then back to game warden again for many years. I figure it might be one of those organizations. Then again it might just be a gun he pick up along the way.

 

[Ron M.]

That WAS a deal!

I thought some of the prices at that show were pretty reasonable. I passed on a NIB 28-2 with target stocks, 4" barrel for $650. I would have bought it if I had the money available

I didn't see that one....would have snapped it up myself...for $600 if they would take it. That being said, it was still a nice show with a lot of kids in tow...good family outing. Saw one fellow laser-imprinting on a revolver...pretty cool.

 

[Blitz357]

New member here. I just discovered this thread looking for info on my Model 28. So looking at the first post about serial numbers and time frame mine seems to be a bit different than the info posted (i think). I am currently 40 years old and I got this pistol *used* when I was 13 or 14 years old (my first pistol). The serial number is N97xxx however it is a model 28-2. The first post in this thread says that N97xxxx is basically the highest known serial number, but also says that the 28-3's were started in a few years earlier. So what seems surprising to me is that they continued to make 28-2's even after they went to -3's. Does this seem correct?

 

[bruner1981]

New member here. I just discovered this thread looking for info on my Model 28. So looking at the first post about serial numbers and time frame mine seems to be a bit different than the info posted (i think). I am currently 40 years old and I got this pistol *used* when I was 13 or 14 years old (my first pistol). The serial number is N97xxx however it is a model 28-2. The first post in this thread says that N97xxxx is basically the highest known serial number, but also says that the 28-3's were started in a few years earlier. So what seems surprising to me is that they continued to make 28-2's even after they went to -3's. Does this seem correct?

One quick thing to point out, you said yours is N97xxx and that N97xxxx is one of the highest known. Correct? Yours appears to be one digit short of the highest known and would make yours definitely a 28-2

 

[Blitz357]

Thanks Bruner. Yes certainly mine was made in the earlier N97... serial numbers so I take your point. However, the first post says 28-3's were started in 1982 and the N9 range also started in 1982. I assume the ranges in the first thread are best guesses any way, not exact. I think I am taking this too literal. LOL So the moral is my 28 is in the later batches of 28-2's before they switched over to 28-3's.

 

[19leben]

Blitz, if your Highway Patrolman is an N prefix, 5 digit serial beginning with 97, it's in a completely different time frame from a N97 with 6 digits:
Yours N97xxx would be at the beginning of N production, probably 1971 or '72.
A 6 digit N97xxxx was manufactured circa 1985.

 

[gnappi]

My 4" 28-2 serial number N-85xxx (5 digits) is in 90%++ condition and has the original grips.

I've never seen grips like this though, they're standard "diamond" grips but it's inside them that's odd. There's a beautifully milled capital "N" on each grip and the first digit of the serial number written in black ink also on each.

 

[ejjeff]

Is there a chance for us to see photos?