A unique Model 28-2??

[Big Pat]

My father in-law came across a 28-2 44 mag with a 8 3/8" barrel. In all his looking, he couldn't find any information that stated S&W made such a model with that combo. he got the serial of N223140 if that helps out. He is just curious to get some more info on it and see if by chance it is a one off or test unit which of course make it a bit more desirable by collectors.

Thanks for any help!

Pat

 

[redhawk444]

I thought a model 28 was a .357...?

 

[Big Pat]

I thought a model 28 was a .357...?

Yeah that was what made this so unique. He said the same thing and so was wanting me to see what I could find out. This definately is a 44.

 

[murphydog]

The frame was mis-stamped at the factory, an uncommon but known occurrence. I've seen a few for sale like your father's gun.

 

[Maximumbob54]

That must have been one heck of a Monday morning at the factory

 

[Big Pat]

The frame was mis-stamped at the factory, an uncommon but known occurrence. I've seen a few for sale like your father's gun.

Ahh okay. Would that increase the value any? I know that is the next question he will have me ask so I might as well jump into it

He has a couple guys interested simply due to the misstamping as it would make it more uncommon as you stated.

Thanks,

Pat

 

[Art Doc]

Incorrect model numbers occur fairly often. Understandable with so many models built on the same frame. Most people ignore it feeling it doesn't affect value one way or the other but some sellers try to jack the prices on such guns calling them rare. They are not. But if you have someone willing to pay extra tell him you want $1,500 for this rare and valuable factory error.

 

[Philblack]

What about the finish ? Is it bright blue or mate and sandblasted ? Bright blue means a mistamping, mate could be much more interesting

 

[TSQUARED]

My father in-law came across a 28-2 44 mag with a 8 3/8" barrel. In all his looking, he couldn't find any information that stated S&W made such a model with that combo. he got the serial of N223140 if that helps out. He is just curious to get some more info on it and see if by chance it is a one off or test unit which of course make it a bit more desirable by collectors.

Thanks for any help!

Pat

A factory letter will tell you if the facory's records list it as a Model 28 or Model 29.

 

[Ga Johnny]

odds are it's a frankengun, the model 28 used to be fairly cheap, and lent it's self to all sorts of "custom" work, years ago "custom" 28's were way more plentiful than today. The last one I saw was a 45 colt at a gun show back in Jan. of this year.

Of course I passed on it, I've already got enough problems, I didn't see the point in buying more.

If the barrel and cylinder is bright blue and the frame is matte M28 type blue that'd be good clue, or if the whole thing is the same finish.....and it looks refinished, that'd be another good clue.

 

[stantheman86]

All good theories, 28's were the unwanted stepchild of S&W or the "poor man's 27" up until fairly recently when prices exploded on them. Lots of ex-PD holster worn beaters were bought up cheap in the 90's and "humped up" with buff and blue jobs, and in some cases maybe had barrels from a shot out stretched frame 29 twisted on and cylinders added.

I also have a 581 that was stamped 586, with the 6 crudely added to obscure the 1. Again, maybe a S&W assembly worker had a few too many beers watching Sunday night football and was a little under the weather when it was put together on Monday morning and a 9 got put on instead of an 8......when you're hung over a 28 and 29 frame look awfully similiar

 

[BUFF]

One of the differences between a Model 28-2 and a -29-2 is the topstrap. The 29-2's (as well as the Model 25-2's and the Model 58's) had grooves on top running the direction of the bore. They match up with the grooves on the barrel's topstrap and grooves on the rear sight body.

A Model 28-2 has no grooves on top, the barrel rib, rear sight body and the topstrap of the frame are flat and sandblasted to a matte finish before bluing.

There is a small portion of the frame's topstrap visible between the rear of the barrel and the front tip of the rear sight body, about 1/4 of an inch. The grooves there were eliminated with the barrel pin and cylinder counterbore, on the Model 29-3 and other target sighted N frames. Gunsmiths doing caliber conversions on Highway Patrolmen rarely if ever cut these grooves.

Also, the Model 28's topstrap is narrowed or dimpled at the front end to match up with the barrel's narrower rib; the Model 27's are the same. The Model 29's heavier barrel has a wider rib and their frames aren't dimpled or narrowed at this point. It is clearly evident when looking.

 

[S&W_aussie]

Hmmm...I just bought a 4" Highway Patrolman in .357 mag that has model 26-2 stamped on the crane instead of 28-2. I guess the 26 was an N frame too? Perhaps this was a mis-stamp or maybe they needed to use some model 26 frames to make up an order of 28s on short notice or something?

Great looking little (big) guns tho

Mike