28-2 8 3:8??

[Model29-26.5]

Today I came across a 28-2 online With an 8 3/8" barrel.
It does not say " Highway patrolman" On the barrel, but the finish looks right. Not a high polish.
Patridge front sight.
I ln the details it says that reportedly only 100 were made. Does this sound right?

Thanks

 

[tlawler]

According to SCSW4, there were "Less than 100 reported as manufactured with an 8 3/8" barrel".

It doesn't say anything about it not having the "Highway Patrolman" stamp on the barrel. I'd be very leery of it…would be easy to swap a barrel on it and call it a golden goose.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Could be.

That probably came from the Standard Catalog. Note that it says rreportedly which in my mind means there is no evidence to substantiate that in S&W records.

Believe what you want but I wouldn't be a buyer based on that alone. Maybe a box with the barrel length on the label might help but even that can be forged.

Difficult to prove it is and impossible to prove it isn't.

 

[Model29-26.5]

According to SCSW4, there were "Less than 100 reported as manufactured with an 8 3/8" barrel".

It doesn't say anything about it not having the "Highway Patrolman" stamp on the barrel. I'd be very leery of it…would be easy to swap a barrel on it and call it a golden goose.

The finish looks right though. Matches the matt of the rest of the gun. Worn about right.

 

[Doc44]

The one example I have seen of a Model 28-2 with a factory 8 3/8-inch barrel has the normal HP roll markings on the right side of the barrel and a ramp front sight. The description of the revolver being discussed indicates a barrel change. In any case, I would never buy a 28-2 with an 8 3/8-inch barrel without a letter of authenticity verifying its configuration, or with an agreement of a return and full refund (including shipping both ways) if the revolver does not letter.

Bill

 

[Tom K]

The one example I have seen of a Model 28-2 with a factory 8 3/8-inch barrel has the normal HP roll markings on the right side of the barrel and a ramp front sight. The description of the revolver being discussed indicates a barrel change. In any case, I would never buy a 28-2 with an 8 3/8-inch barrel without a letter of authenticity verifying its configuration, or with an agreement of a return and full refund (including shipping both ways) if the revolver does not letter.

What Bill said. Is the rib on the top of the barrel plain with a matte finish, or is it checkered? If checkered (likely) it's a Model 27 barrel on a Model 28 frame. If plain (unlikely) it is possible to have machined a Model 27 barrel rib smooth, but that'd be a lot of trouble to fake an 8-3/8" HP.

As as an example here is my Model 28-2 converted to an 8-3/8" .44 Special. The frame topstrap is plain matte, the barrel (takeoff from a Model 27 rebored to .44) is checkered.

 

[stansdds]

A Model 28 coming from the factory with an 8 3/8" barrel would be a very rare item. I suspect most are actually barrel swaps and that should be pretty easy to figure out. Look at the top surface of the barrel rib. If it is checkered/knurled, it is a Model 27 barrel. If it is grooved, it is a Model 28 barrel.

 

[Model29-26.5]

The Doc hath spoken. Much appreciated.
I was toying with the idea of a bid, but I'll let this one go.
Thanks all for the input.
The "highway patrolman" missing from the barrel arose my suspicions immediately, but the finish looks right. I can't imagine why they would deliberately not stamp the barrel though, so a barrel swap seems to be what's happened, but someone spent time getting the finish right. With this said, I have not seen it up close so tough to tell really..