S&W 28 Highway Patrolman finish question

J

joeysplace

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Today I saw M28 P&R that looked pretty decent. Until I looked at trigger guard, near the front. It appeared to be more of a satin finish in that area. As opposed to the typical cold blue steel finish. Would this indicate a reblue job, or would that have been normal?
 
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The M28's were a matte blued finish called "brushed blue" from the factory, not polished like it's M27 brother, so that could be normal.

Some of Indications of a reblue are shallow markings (especially the logo on the side plate), slightly rounded edges on angular areas like the barrel rib, frame edges, cylinder flutes, etc... that would normally be a sharp edge but are not from from buffing.

If it's a factory re-blue, typically but not always, there's usually a refinish mark stamped on the frame under the grips. The factory reblued N-Frames I have are done so well that it is difficult to tell that they are not original finish.
 
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I did look at the S&W logo and the barrel markings, and they appeared to be to be normal. Actually the S&W logo seemed pretty deep.
 
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There is quite a bit of variation in the finish between and on individual model 28s. Some areas (and guns) almost look sandblasted, and others nearly a semi-gloss blue. If you don't see the other signs of a refinish that Conrad mentioned, I'd guess the one you saw is original.
 
We bought model 28s for duty guns back in 1975. The bottome of the trigger guards were indeed "rougher" in texture than the rest of the gun. I don't know how normal that would be for guns made at different times.
 
murphydog said:
There is quite a bit of variation in the finish between and on individual model 28s. Some areas (and guns) almost look sandblasted, and others nearly a semi-gloss blue. If you don't see the other signs of a refinish that Conrad mentioned, I'd guess the one you saw is original.
Click to expand...

^^^ What he wrote. I have seen M28s in everything from an overall matte finish to a high gloss polished blue, and variations between those, all from the factory. It's hard to draw any conclusions based on the finish alone.
 
My Highway Patrolman has a dull blue but somewhat polished finish on the frame and cylinder. However, the front of the crane and the area underneath the trigger guard are a much rougher blue, so rough as to appear almost Parkerized. I'm quite confident that the finish on mine is original. The gun has a nice utilitarian look. I wouldn't want it any other way.
 
My six inch M28 has a matte frame and barrel but the cylinder is not. Someone suggested that the cylinder had been replaced at some time during its life. Could that be?
 
sniper47 said:
My six inch M28 has a matte frame and barrel but the cylinder is not. Someone suggested that the cylinder had been replaced at some time during its life. Could that be?
Click to expand...

Usually (but not always), in my observations the barrel and cylinder finish of a given revolver will match if original. If your model 28's cylinder is polished blue, it may be a replacement; earlier guns will have the serial number stamped on its rear face, but there is no way to be sure if no number is present.
 
I definetly don't think the cylinder was replaced on the gun I was looking at.
 
have a 6" that letter to 1967 as shipped to WA State Patrol and marked by S&W as such, NIB, letter in short says brushed bright blue finish with matte top strap and trigger guard, shiped with factory target grips. Box and all matches

sorry no pics now, but it was my grail 28 for many reasons :)
 
Landpimp said:
have a 6" that letter to 1967 as shipped to WA State Patrol and marked by S&W as such, NIB, letter in short says brushed bright blue finish with matte top strap and trigger guard, shiped with factory target grips. Box and all matches

sorry no pics now, but it was my grail 28 for many reasons :)
Click to expand...

WOW..That is awesome.Thanks!
 
murphydog said:
There is quite a bit of variation in the finish between and on individual model 28s. Some areas (and guns) almost look sandblasted, and others nearly a semi-gloss blue. If you don't see the other signs of a refinish that Conrad mentioned, I'd guess the one you saw is original.
Click to expand...

One that I owned back in the 90's had a "blasted" look to it. Very durable finish though.
 
On an older S&W with a traditional "blue " finish the color
will only vary due to the polishing before being dipped.

Since the "duty guns" were less well polished some
areas may have a more matte appearance.

A modern reblue would usually look more uniform.
 
I made it back to the gun shop today. The finish was as someone mentioned under the trigger guard and on the top strap. A decent gun, but there was some bare metal showing toward the end of the barrel. Not the right deal. So I passed
 
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