28-2 Highway Patrolman Finish Question

[ToddS112]

I see the factory offers 3 choices for re-blue: High Bright Polish, Standard, and Bead Blast.

Ruled out the High Bright, I know the HP wasn't the "fancy" .357. Which of the other 2 choices would be the closest to how the gun came new? Anyone have any pics of the actual factory refinish choices?

 

[shawn mccarver]

I see the factory offers 3 choices for re-blue: High Bright Polish, Standard, and Bead Blast.

Ruled out the High Bright, I know the HP wasn't the "fancy" .357. Which of the other 2 choices would be the closest to how the gun came new? Anyone have any pics of the actual factory refinish choices?

They called the original satin blue, I think.

There is a picture of a Model 28 factory refinished in high bright on this forum. It is beautiful!

 

[seasidehunter]

I will be able to show a good pic of a Highway man soon as I get it out of waiting period jail.

in about a week - i just got one from a friend.

 

[LMWIS]

The end label on the box of my '68 28-2 called the finish 'BH' if that helps...,

 

[vrichard]

This HP was reblued like the original finish.(8/80)
Dick

 

[ToddS112]

So, do you think the standard blue currently offered by the factory would be the closest? I'm thinking the bead blasted would be too matte?

 

[seasidehunter]

The 357 one I have coming is more of a matte finish, getting a 22 cal too that has the shiny Blue - the 2 look very different nest to each other

 

[A10]

I'd bet the bead blast is the closest to factory original. There were some bright blue 28s, but they were commemorative models.

 

[JNewell]

I'd bet the bead blast is the closest to factory original. There were some bright blue 28s, but they were commemorative models.

I think the finish on the HP/M28 varied a lot over the years. I have a 1966-67 HP that has a fairly coarse abrasive-blasted finish on the top and bottom surfaces of the frame with the cylinder, barrel and the sides of the frame well-polished and blued. The N-serial number M28s I've seen mostly have a softer matte finish, which would probably be similar to the current bead-blasted finish.

 

[fyimo]

I have owned three mdoel 28-2's and all of the have a slightly different blue because the blueing has different looks depending on the surface and some of the steel has a smoother finish then others so the bluing varies based on that. One of mine 4 inch has a brighter blue on the barrel and cylinder then on the frame.

 

[Jack Flash]

I think the finish varied a lot. I have an M28-2 with a very, uh, "basic" finish that I believe is original and is probably what has been described as "brush blue". I think this was the no frills blue job that M28s were usually given. Possibly this is what you get when you specify "bead blast".

However, I also have a much nicer looking M28 that I believe is also sports its original finish. This is not as good as the high polihsh blue finish you see on an M27, but it sure is a cut above the previously mentioned gun's finish. So I think it is probably more like what would be described as the "standard blue".

Who knows why there is this kind of variation? I have thought that it may be that when police departments placed orders, they got the most basic finish, (for the lowest price) since the guns would be riding around in holsters anyways. Maybe the profit margin was a little better for guns meant to be sold in gun shops, so they got a little better finish?

Personally, if I were you, I would just order the finish that I like the best. Once refinished, it is not original anyways, so why not just please yourself?

 

[fyimo]

I think the finish varied a lot. I have an M28-2 with a very, uh, "basic" finish that I believe is original and is probably what has been described as "brush blue". I think this was the no frills blue job that M28s were usually given. Possibly this is what you get when you specify "bead blast".

However, I also have a much nicer looking M28 that I believe is also sports its original finish. This is not as good as the high polihsh blue finish you see on an M27, but it sure is a cut above the previously mentioned gun's finish. So I think it is probably more like what would be described as the "standard blue".

Who knows why there is this kind of variation? I have thought that it may be that when police departments placed orders, they got the most basic finish, (for the lowest price) since the guns would be riding around in holsters anyways. Maybe the profit margin was a little better for guns meant to be sold in gun shops, so they got a little better finish?

Personally, if I were you, I would just order the finish that I like the best. Once refinished, it is not original anyways, so why not just please yourself?

Actually S&W incorperated two changes to the 4 inch and 6 inch Model 27-2 to make it a Model 28-2 and that was a matt blue which required much less polish of the parts to get the high luster blue and they also didn't do the checkered steel top strap. Otherwise mechanically the two guns in those two models are actaully the same.They also put highway patrolman on the barrel so help sell it to Law Enforcement Officers and Police agencies.

 

[BUFF]

The S&W bead blast finish won't look much like the Highway Patrolman's finish, it will be much, much more matte. The Highway Patrolman finish is desribed as a 'brush finish' by Roy Jinks, while the flatter top surfaces of the frame, rear sight body and barrel rib are probably more like the bead blast finish of today.

I'd go with the standard finish. How much polishing the workman does at the service department will govern how shiney it turns out.

 

[snowman.45]

I think the bead blast finish is closest to the original semi-flat satin finish. I had one refinished in the bright finish several years ago. It looked very nice. S&W still does the best re-bluing I've seen.

 

[ToddS112]

Personally, if I were you, I would just order the finish that I like the best. Once refinished, it is not original anyways, so why not just please yourself?

Yup, that's the eventual plan. The standard blue is sounding good and the price isn't too prohibitive.

 

[TAROMAN]

Bead blasting can sometimes look more like parkerizing, certainly not how the 28s were originally issued.
Another vote for S&Ws "standard" blue as the best compromise.

 

[ikor]

Yep...standard finish IMO is what you are looking for. I have a 1960 M28 that has a very nice polish. Not up to the M27 of course, but not bad at all. If I was to have it redone standard blue is what I would do.

 

[rdcl]

Hi. In this pic you can see a good example contrasting the different finish applied (matte/bead blast/satin?)to the back strap/top strap as compared to the sides of the gun, which is polished more. This is an "S" series ser.# H.P.

 

[BUFF]

Value depends primarily upon condition, such as any wear to the blue, or rust or significant mechanical wear. It also depends upon the barrel length, stocks and whether or not it is still in it's original box with original papers. Any modifications lower it. Price is also dependent upon where in the country the gun is. Probably, anywhere from $350 to $650

 

[JNewell]

My post and pics below also show the difference in finish on the top/bottom surfaces of the frame versus the sides, barrel and cylinder on some S-range M28s.

I bought this 28-2 quite a few years ago simply because the dealer had it out for a tragically low price and I couldn't let an S-numbered N frame endure any further humiliation lying there in the case. It's S/N 2626xx with the original grips, numbered to the gun.

The pictures don't really show it, but the barrel, cylinder and the flats of the frame are a fairly highly polished, deep blue. Not a Model 27 finish, but very nice in any period and exceptional by current standards. The top and bottom surfaces, on the other hand, have a quite coarse abrasive-blasted finish. According to the information in the first post, this is from 1966-1967.

Here's a few quick photos: