5-screw Highway Patrolman w/ pics

[tonysoprano150]

In the tradition of my recent N-frame buying spree, here is my new to me early 5-screw Highway Patrolman S109XXX. Unfortunately someone modified and refinished the grips, so I will need to find a set of original Diamond Targets to replace them with.

 

[tonysoprano150]

In the tradition of my recent N-frame buying spree, here is my new to me early 5-screw Highway Patrolman S109XXX. Unfortunately someone modified and refinished the grips, so I will need to find a set of original Diamond Targets to replace them with.

 

[s&wchad]

Nice gun. That's pretty early, it looks like 1954-5. Most of the HPs came with Magnas, but I prefer Targets for shooting too. Non-relieved diamond Targets may be correct for that vintage gun.

 

[VM]

Non-relieved diamond Targets may be correct for that vintage gun

It actually looks like those were non - relieved as they are modified at the top of the left panel. Those may be original grips [?]

 

[tonysoprano150]

Yeah, I think that the grips are the original grips and that they used to be non-relieved until someone modified them. Eventually, I'm gonna try to find a nice set of non-relieved Diamond Targets to put on it. I have a set of Diamond Magnas that I could put on it, but I much prefer the Targets for a 6" gun and the Magnas for a 4" gun.

 

[victorylarry]

Very cool HP. I'm not sure how many HP's came with targets or magna grips, but I was fortunate enough to pick up an early HP box that had a paper label and was grease marked "TS" for target stocks. The box is rather large for a 6" gun, to the point of being able to fit an extra pair of target stocks in with the gun. I'm wondering if a letter on your gun would determine what it was shipped with? Either way enjoy it and thanks for sharing!

 

[catdad]

Where you gettin all these sweet Smith's?
Looks like you found the mother load.
That's a great 28.

 

[smith17]

I have a letter on S110xxx that was shipped May of 1954, the first year of production. Yours is a bit earlier.
Ed

 

[ladder13]

Nice HP, fuhgettaboutit.

 

[diamonback68]

Originally posted by tonysoprano150:
Eventually, I'm gonna try to find a nice set of non-relieved Diamond Targets to put on it.

Big prepared to spend big bucks for those as they were only offered for a few short years and they are very hard to find.
Good luck finding a set though.

 

[Snuffy]

Since those stocks are already refinished, you will do no harm by restoring them. It's not difficult if you have any aptitude at working with wood. Main thing you need is a single-line checkering cutter from Brownells, a set of riffler files, some tung oil, and bit of patience.

Strip off the finish, fresh out the checkering with the single-line cutter following the original grooves, deepen the border cut with a square riffler if it needs it (doesn't look like it does), and then put on 3 or 4 coats of tung oil according to the instructions. Tung oil will not fill the checkering like other finishes.

I did a set for my M28 to replace the rubber Hogues that came on it, after cutting them down to fit my little girlie-man hands. They look just like new. I am now working on a set from a 1949-vintage K-38 that were done the same way yours were before I got it.

 

[pistolero]

actually i think that's lode.

Originally posted by catdad:
Where you gettin all these sweet Smith's?
Looks like you found the mother load.
That's a great 28.

 

[smith17]

Actually, I think that's lode.

Ed

 

[tonysoprano150]

I'm glad that the grammar and spelling police decided to show up!!!

 

[catdad]

Think I'll go lode, woops, load my gun.
Still a nice 28 Tony.

 

[DWFAN]

Tony, HP's did not come with target grips from the factory. Magnas were the grip of the day for that gun. The present cut out is a period modification and is seen on a few guns from that era. The ones you have are very well done and would look very nice restored. To find a pair of non-relief grips would be very rare.
DW

 

[50 target]

Originally posted by DWFAN:
Tony, HP's did not come with target grips from the factory. Magnas were the grip of the day for that gun. The present cut out is a period modification and is seen on a few guns from that era. The ones you have are very well done and would look very nice restored. To find a pair of non-relief grips would be very rare.
DW

DWFAN, your statement about the HP not shipped with target grips is not what it seems. I have a five screw HP, 4" that was shipped with the target diamond grips and NUMBERED to the gun. Always hard to say that S&W DIDN'T do something.
Every time I do, I have to go back and recant. Not trying to dis you in any way, and there are others who know a whole lot more than I do, but I have the gun and numbered grips, so there is at least one. I have not looked at it in a while and honestly can't remember if they are relieved or not. They are walnut by the way.
Good thread as the HP hasn't otten the attention over the years it deserves. I like'em. Shame they only produced the 2 barrel lengths (well except for that crazy stuff with the 8.3/8" barrel) Enjoy, Bob

 

[DWFAN]

Bob, target grips would have been special order only.
DW

 

[Art Doc]

50 target- Target stocks were not numbered so if you have a set that is I have to wonder if it wasn't done by a previous owner or maybe the dealer who sold it? It's not impossible that they are original (although we've had this discussion before and it seems that no HPs actually shipped with Targets, they were all dealer install items) but if yours are factory numbered that's the first set of Targets I have even heard of that were numbered.

BTW- Numbers stamped or written in pencil?

 

[RKmesa]

Originally posted by SaxonPig:
50 target- Target stocks were not numbered so if you have a set that is I have to wonder if it wasn't done by a previous owner or maybe the dealer who sold it? It's not impossible that they are original (although we've had this discussion before and it seems that no HPs actually shipped with Targets, they were all dealer install items) but if yours are factory numbered that's the first set of Targets I have even heard of that were numbered.

BTW- Numbers stamped or written in pencil?

SP:

In general I agree with you, but I do have a pre-19 with a set of diamond targets that are stamped and numbered (but not to the gun). I bought it from Lee - here's a link to the thread where the photos are pre 19.