I found a four inch barrel Highway Patrolman at a LGS. It is an S 172XXX serial number, four screw without a model number. It would rate at 90+ percent with holster wear on the muzzle and high points, with a turn line. The gun locks up like a bank vault and shows little signs of excessive shooting. It has two very small scratches but no pitting or surface rust. The gun has the correct, serial number matching, magna grips. The grips are pristine. There is no serial number on the barrel, cylinder or ejector star (as it is obviously a post soft fit department gun). I have not obtained a firm price on the gun yet, as the owner had to find out how much they had in the gun.
The next two issues have raised questions as to its value, collectability and whether or not I will take a chance on it. This is where I need the help of the experts here.
First is the barrel.
The roll marked "Smith and Wesson" on one side and the "Highway Patrolman, etc" on the other side are off center. I think this points to the barrel having been cut down from six inches in the past as the stamps are about this much off center. It was not done at the factory or at least it was not marked if it was. There are no return, rework or refinish marks on the frame. The gunsmithing on the barrel is excellent with no indication on the crown or the sight of it having been modified. He had a 28-2 and we compared the guns. The -2 had the stamping centered and the sight on the -2 has pins that are not visible. The pre model's sight pins are barely visible on the right side but not on the left. Also, we did not measure the barrel but if the -2 is four inches the non model marked is about 3 7/8.
Second is the box. The box is period correct and does not have the white serial number/etc information label on the end. On one end of the top of the box there is a six digit number in grease pencil that does not match the serial number of the gun. On the bottom of the bottom half of the box the correct serial number is written in grease pencil. Regardless the box is has printing that indicates it is for a Four Inch Highway Patrolman not a Six Inch.
My questions for the forum members are: Is it possible/probable that the factory shipped this gun with a four inch barrel with the stampings off center? If it has been cut down from six to four inches does this affect the collectability and therefore the value of the gun and if so, how much?
I have a P&R Model 28 in my collection and only wanted this gun as a mate to my pre model marked 357 Magnum (pre 27) and 44 Magnum (pre 29) revolvers.
I have read that the pre model marked four screw is a scarce gun. If this is the case is this a gun that I should take a chance on even if the barrel has been shortened?
Your comments and advice are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
The next two issues have raised questions as to its value, collectability and whether or not I will take a chance on it. This is where I need the help of the experts here.
First is the barrel.
The roll marked "Smith and Wesson" on one side and the "Highway Patrolman, etc" on the other side are off center. I think this points to the barrel having been cut down from six inches in the past as the stamps are about this much off center. It was not done at the factory or at least it was not marked if it was. There are no return, rework or refinish marks on the frame. The gunsmithing on the barrel is excellent with no indication on the crown or the sight of it having been modified. He had a 28-2 and we compared the guns. The -2 had the stamping centered and the sight on the -2 has pins that are not visible. The pre model's sight pins are barely visible on the right side but not on the left. Also, we did not measure the barrel but if the -2 is four inches the non model marked is about 3 7/8.
Second is the box. The box is period correct and does not have the white serial number/etc information label on the end. On one end of the top of the box there is a six digit number in grease pencil that does not match the serial number of the gun. On the bottom of the bottom half of the box the correct serial number is written in grease pencil. Regardless the box is has printing that indicates it is for a Four Inch Highway Patrolman not a Six Inch.
My questions for the forum members are: Is it possible/probable that the factory shipped this gun with a four inch barrel with the stampings off center? If it has been cut down from six to four inches does this affect the collectability and therefore the value of the gun and if so, how much?
I have a P&R Model 28 in my collection and only wanted this gun as a mate to my pre model marked 357 Magnum (pre 27) and 44 Magnum (pre 29) revolvers.
I have read that the pre model marked four screw is a scarce gun. If this is the case is this a gun that I should take a chance on even if the barrel has been shortened?
Your comments and advice are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
