Age of a New/Old Model 28 w/ "S" serial number

[Bloodhound]

Well I have been looking for a decent Model 28 since I foolishly sold one 15 years ago. I know the prices are not going down, so I liquidated a couple of toys I wasn't using and got serious. I found this "S" Highway Patrolman. It has a few small finish issues, but it will clean up nicely and it is meant to be a shooter anyway. I was just wondering what the age is for this old timer. Any info would be great. The serial number is S325439 Thanks

 

[murphydog]

It is a later S prefix gun, from 1967-'68.

 

[Bloodhound]

It is a later S prefix gun, from 1967-'68.

Thank you so much. I just wanted a shooter that will see lots of .38 special in the hills of Western Colorado. I dug out a new old-stock Hogue Mono-Grip...the hard one pre-rubber. I am really excited about this revolver...I should never have sold the other one.

 

[The Gila Bender]

I have a pair of 28-2 Highway Patrolman, 4" and 6", from that era, 1967-68, S293xxx and S304xxx. Both are solid shooters with only minor honest wear. Really glad to have them and they get out more often than my bright blue revolvers.

 

[Bloodhound]

So this gun came and I had to wait the 3 days...got it home and the "Marks" in the bluing were dried oil and gunk. Big 45 pad and it is all clean and better with only a light turn ring. It is in very good shape. Got it to the range last night and am so happy with this gun...I almost feel guilty...shouldn't be that much fun to shoot!

 

[bananaman]

My 28 no dash is older and a "GOODIE" S serial# 2011xx from 1960. They are fun to shoot! Bob

 

[3/4Flap]

Great find Bloodhound.
Mine was a gift from a dear friend.
He shot a mountain lion in the face with it after the thing jumped off a cutbank in deep snow. My friend heard it hit the trail behind him and turned to find it approaching him. At the shot it took off spurting blood as it ran.
I asked him if he would sell it to me. He wouldn't. Then one day we came up from the barn and on the front porch was a shoebox marked "Dirty Laundry". Opened the box and there it was!
I took the box, put a new bottle of Wild Turkey in it. Crossed out "Dirty" and put "Clean" the box and delivered it to my friend.

 

[duman444]

Frame age

What no one has said in this thread is your N frame with that serial number was made in the 1967-68 year range. When it shipped could be much later.

Smith made N frames without barrels and cylinders in advance. Put them in vault until needed for 357, 41M, etc, pulled X amount of frames from vault for whatever they needed at time. Thus a frame could be not used for some years after finish, if it did not get pulled.

I have a Model 28 with serial number S193999 which was made in the early 60's but per Roy did not ship until 1970. It was aftermarket refinished in Nickel.