1980 28-2??

[Majer]

I have a Model 28-2 4 inch that was poorly chrome plated.I want to have it put back to it's original type finish. The S&W letter I got with it says it was shipped on 06/06/1980. I plan on sending to Fords for stripping and refinishing.What finish is correct that they offer for this gun? Thanks in advance and Happy New year to Y'all.

 

[JP@AK]

It was available only in satin blue. At the time, S&W stated it would not change the finish on a Highway Patrolman. So, satin blue is the only option if you want it returned to its original appearance.

 

[Majer]

Would that be a Matte Blue or a brushed blue?

 

[Majer]

Brushed Blue

 

[Majer]

Matte Blue

 

[Narragansett]

Well, there was only one finish that came on the M-28, 4 & 6 " bbls, but you could order target triggers and hammers, along with target stocks. S&W made this to be a working man's gun, and would not alter it to look like a flagship M27. I have several of them. They are my favorites along with M15's.

I do swear though that they occasionally used M27 parts. I have a couple that have pretty highly polished cylinders.

If it were me, I would sell the gun. It has to be worth 500 or so, and then put the 300( guess) that you are going to pay to strip it and refinish it together, and for 800, you can get something nice and original. Just a thought.

I have no idea if this gun has sentiment, but if not, I would not refinish it, and if you did refinish it, I would not put a M27 type highly polished finish on it. I would stay with the original satin finish

 

[k22fan]

I bought a new 28-2 4" with Target Stocks in 1980 for $250. It was a better gun than the gun that I eventually I traded it for. That 28-2's only fault of note was that .44s and .45s sunk aluminum beverage cans faster.

The finish on the frame's sides, barrel and cylinder looked like it was done with fine sand paper. It was not as smooth as the sides of the slide on your 1911. The top strap, top of the barrel rib, rear sight leaf spring, front and rear grip strap, trigger guard and bottom and front of the cylinder frame looked like they were bead blasted. Worded differently the top, bottom, rear and front of the frame looked bead blasted. That generally described all 28s except commemorative 28s and rare unicorns. However, 28s were finish 'em fast and get them out the door revolvers so the smoothness of their sides and cylinders varied quite a bit. Locally the state patrol used them. Rumor has it that 28s with finish blemishes were shipped along with big orders to government departments instead of to stores that had to display them on a shelf to get them sold.

I hope that helps envision what original condition looked like. 28s were great guns but, frankly, paying Fords big bucks to duplicate the original low cost finish is foolish. After it is done it would be worth less than a very good condition 28 with original finish. Ford's price will buy a shooter grade 28 with original finish that will be worth just as much as one they've refinished.

 

[cmansguns]

My Model 28-2 is a 1975 shipment to a police supply in Maryland.

Per the Letter of Authentication the finish was called "brush blue".

Attached are some pics that show the original finish under different lights, taken with different cameras.

Hope this helps.

 

[Muley Gil]

I've owned several M28s. The finishes have varied from a brush blue to a satin blue to one that was almost up to M27 standards.

 

[G-Mac]

I have a Model 28-2 4 inch that was poorly chrome plated.

Has Ford's quoted you a price on this job? Because before they can re-blue it, they will have to remove the chrome. That is a process. Just curious what they would charge to do that.

 

[CJSmith]

I have no idea if this gun has sentiment, but if not, I would not refinish it,

I am in this camp. The appreciation in value will not likely equal the money you put into refinishing it. Plus, it won't shoot any different after you refinish it. I get it though. I have a hard chromed 25-5 that I didn't like the looks of at all. I have grown to appreciate it now. I don't have to be overly careful with it at the range and it shoots just fine.

Having said that, you do you. You acquired a great gun. I answered a question you never asked so take my thoughts for what they are worth.

 

[stansdds]

You can spend a lot of money having the chrome stripped and a factory style blueing applied, but that Model 28 will never have the same value as one with its original finish. It would be more economical to sell the chromed Model 28 and buy one that has its original finish.

 

[Doug M.]

I note that the OP is upstate NY. The hassle of selling this revolver and replacing it on his serial # specific permit changes the calculation a bit.

 

[sodacan]

It would be a costly mistake, especially if you're expecting it to result in collector value. Sell it and buy one that's right. There are plenty of them out there.

 

[Pine_Worker]

Majer, it's your gun, do what you think best and enjoy it.

 

[Seamus O'Caiside]

Majer, it's your gun, do what you think best and enjoy it.

That's the best answer I've seen yet!

 

[RKmesa]

This is what the finish on a perfect Highway Patrolman looks like - it's polished silver and satin blue, with the silver from holstering and unholstering it thousands of time...





I'm not sure there are any refinishers out there that would/could refinish your revolver to this condition...

 

[KalamazooKid]

This is what the finish on a perfect Highway Patrolman looks like - it's polished silver and satin blue, with the silver from holstering and unholstering it thousands of time...











I'm not sure there are any refinishers out there that would/could refinish your revolver to this condition...

Spot on. Beautiful!

 

[Hair Trigger]

Let's see a picture of that bad boy, OP. I'm in the camp of just keep it like it is, or sell it and buy one with a factory finish. M28-2's were made for over 20 years, so there's lots of them out there. FWIW, another picture of the finish, in fluorescent light:

 

[G-Mac]

I note that the OP is upstate NY. The hassle of selling this revolver and replacing it on his serial # specific permit changes the calculation a bit.

I live in New York State too. It costs $3.00 in my County to amend a pistol permit. So, three bucks when you sell one and have it removed from your permit, another three bucks to add a new firearm to your permit. You can do both transactions with one trip to the Permit Office at the Sheriff's Dept. No big deal.