Another 28-2 thread

[shown50]

Been on the hunt on and off for a 4” Highway Patrolman in shooter condition that wasn’t pitted to death over the last couple years but had basically given up with the way prices are. After seeing the recent thread of all the HP I got the bug again and found an S serial in an online auction for a good price for my area and bought it. I think it’s 64’-65’ with the S 2469xx serial number. I’m assuming it’s a nickel refinish, the handles are rough and I think they’re after the 60s and before the 90s with the silver washers on the back but I’m not super familiar with target grips. One question I’ve got is what’s up with the gap on the back strap at the bottom? I know they’re not for the gun but the gap seems huge. Haven’t shot it yet as it’s mid 90s this week.

 

[shown50]

A couple with the grips on

 

[Retired W4]

That gap is not all that unusual on targets.

If there in an N stamped on the left grip frame and rear of the cylinder you hit the big lotto. Likely a refinish though.

 

[clang444]

Nice looking HP. It was refinished aftermarket - the give away is the nickle plated rear site

 

[shown50]

That gap is not all that unusual on targets.

If there in an N stamped on the left grip frame and rear of the cylinder you hit the big lotto. Likely a refinish though.

Okay thanks it’s been a few years since I’ve had a gun with target grips so I wasn’t sure. I had to ask WireGrass yesterday what he thought after seeing that one thread with the modified grip frame. As to the nickel my understanding is the only nickel HP were no dash models and it was a very small run.

 

[shown50]

Nice looking HP. It was refinished aftermarket - the give away is the nickle plated rear site

Thanks that’s my thoughts as well. The auction pictures made it look like it had seen the wrong end of a buffing wheel but I was surprised to see the lettering is still sharp. I’m partial to nickel guns so a refinish that’s done well doesn’t bother me a bit.

 

[Golphin]

I also like the 28-2's. I have one 1980 nickel and one 1961 blued. Factory nickel are very rare.

 

[shown50]

I also like the 28-2's. I have one 1980 nickel and one 1961 blued. Factory nickel are very rare.

Gorgeous guns! I’ve got a N serial 28-2 that I’ve never shot it’s like new in box so I’ve been wanting to find a nice shooter. N frames fit my hands much better than Ks and I love the look of a shorter barrel big frame revolver

 

[Model19man]

That is the worst fitting set of target stocks I have ever seen. Obviously from a different revolver. I think your M28 would have had Magna stocks originally. I have several N frames with factory target stocks, none are that bad.

 

[shown50]

That is the worst fitting set of target stocks I have ever seen. Obviously from a different revolver. I think your M28 would have had Magna stocks originally. I have several N frames with factory target stocks, none are that bad.

Definitely from a different revolver I’m pretty sure this would’ve came with diamond magnas being from 64-65. I spoke with Don Furr and I am going to ship them out Monday to have him fix whatever he can on them.

 

[Truckman]

Nice looking HP. It was refinished aftermarket - the give away is the nickle plated rear site

If the extractor star is nickeled, that would cinch it......Ben

 

[shown50]

If the extractor star is nickeled, that would cinch it......Ben

It’s blued along with the rod. The face of the cylinder is stamped H

 

[Truckman]

It’s blued along with the rod. The face of the cylinder is stamped H

The factory was known to blue extractors for nickeled guns...But the nickeled rear sight is a mystery, unless it had been replaced...Maybe a letter will clear up the mystery......Ben

 

[shown50]

The factory was known to blue extractors for nickeled guns...But the nickeled rear sight is a mystery, unless it had been replaced...Maybe a letter will clear up the mystery......Ben

I’ve got a letter out on my .44 hand ejector 2nd model right now when it gets back if people think it’s worth it I’ll send for one on this as well. I’ve tried researching about nickel Highway Patrolmans and besides the 25 that went to that sheriffs office in the late 50s I haven’t seen another one that was original besides the one posted earlier with the N serial.

 

[JP@AK]

The face of the cylinder is stamped H

The purpose of that H was to indicate to the finish shop that the cylinder was for a Highway Patrolman, not a Model 27. The HP got the satin finish instead of the bright blue for the .357 Magnum revolver.

 

[shown50]

The purpose of that H was to indicate to the finish shop that the cylinder was for a Highway Patrolman, not a Model 27. The HP got the satin finish instead of the bright blue for the .357 Magnum revolver.

That should mean it’s refinished correct?

 

[JP@AK]

That should mean it’s refinished correct?

It probably is. The H was normal on an HP for that period, for the reason I stated. So, it seems most likely this revolver got the regular satin blue finish when it was first produced. Also, since nickeled HPs are quite rare, a refinish is very likely in this case.

 

[shown50]

It probably is. The H was normal on an HP for that period, for the reason I stated. So, it seems most likely this revolver got the regular satin blue finish when it was first produced. Also, since nickeled HPs are quite rare, a refinish is very likely in this case.

That’s the best case because I would feel bad shooting a factory nickel HP a lot lol.

 

[stansdds]

There is a 99.9% chance that model 28-2 has been refinished. There are remarkably few factory nickel plated Model 28's. The greatest number are the rare, 5 inch barrel versions made for the Florida Highway Patrol. Twenty-five were made and marked "FHP", and I understand that there are fakes. Supposedly another 5 Model 28's were factory nickel plated and were supplied as sales examples, the barrel lengths are unknown. It is possible that a few individuals did manage to order their Model 28's with a nickel finish as S&W used to do such things if you were willing to pay for it.

 

[bamabiker]

I've shown this one many times. It is a favorite of mine and shoots like a lazer.