Authenticity of .357 Model 28-2 Highway Patrol Brushed Nickel finish

[mokuloa]

I have documented the following Nickel 28s.
S192697
N38967
N41758
N2539889 is in the Ct. Valley Hist. Museum
and Roy Jinks noted two with 5" nickel barrels were shipped 3-20-59. No serial number revealed.

 

[dsf]

Originally posted by toroflow1:
There is one for sale on GB (item #119830835) for a "mere" $3500, in the N104xxx serial # range...hmmmm....wonder if it could be the real thing (sarcasm "on")...but, the seller doesn't want any "debaters".

Don't know if it's relevent, but the seller also has a COP derringer for over $1K and a chopped Ruger Speed Six for almost $1K. I'm fine with someone getting as much as they can for any item, I'd sure want to, but absent a letter and given some pretty agressive pricing on items that are unremarkable I'd keep my wallet closed.

If I had a letter I'd sure feel comfortable saying "no debaters" but again, absent a letter someone can't ask a few questions?

 

[Doc44]

The Model 28s are four-screw revolvers fitted with 5-inch barrels that were made for the Florida Highway Patrol. They are stamped MOD-28 in the yoke cut. I have seen one of these guns. They have a polished finish rather than a satin or brushed nickel finish. The gun in the CT Valley Historical Museum would date to 1975 or so and the fifty plus with a four inch barrel and satin nickel finish were all shipped in June/July 1972.

Bill

 

[Sgt 127]

A quote from the ad on Gunbroker: "I have had several Smith & Wesson expert collectors examine the gun and all agree the satin nickel finish is original from Smith as it is obivious under a magnifying glass that the lettering and Smith logo were put into the metal after the nickel finish was applied."

Really? If thats true, I'm shocked, I was sure that all the lettering and stamping went on BEFORE the finish, blue, nickel whatever, was applied.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I can tell you I have personally seen one that was in the box and all original unfired. It was a 4" and the box is correctly marked as a nickeled highway patrolman. The current collector said there were 5 known and confirmed nickeled salesman HP's out there and this was one of two. It has been lettered also.

Very impressive gun. Although I don't buy nickel, this would have temped me.

 

[Hoot]

thechadd, sorry I can't help. I'm in the same boat though. My application for a letter is in. I'm hoping to get it back by March. It would be a great birthday present.

Awesome information here guys! As always, I learn so much from all the knowledge and experience you share.

The gunbroker gun has a nickeled hammer and trigger, and from what I've read, and my own observations, S&W never did that. I could be wrong.

I called Mr. Jinks about this gun (below) before I bought it. Unfortunately, we didn't get to the "What finish?" answer before he discovered that it was originally delivered to him. I'm hoping that's a good sign.

The ejector rod is blue, as is the star. .500" hammer and .500" serrated trigger are case. No markings (H, N, or B) to indicate finish. Prettiest football-relief Target grips I've ever seen, silver washer, no markings.

S/N 1920XX

 

[diamonback68]

Hoot hope you have one, but all of the ten known brushed nickel 28-2 were all 4", not 6". I believe the high polished Florida HP were all 5".

 

[Doc44]

Here is a photo of N41758, a Model 28-2 with an original brush nickel finish and shipped on July 18, 1972 to Precision Tool & Gun Company, Ithaca, NY. It was shipped in a gray box with blue piping and lettering. In the finish box on the end label it is marked NBH (nickel, brush, H for Highway Patrolman). As far as I can tell from actual data, none of the fifty plus HPs with a brush nickel finish were saleman's sample revolvers as all were shipped to distributors or jobbers. Those of you who are members of the S&WCA can read more about this gun and see pictures of the box in the Summer 2007 S&WCA Journal.

There may be a few nickeled 28-2s that are salesman's samples, but they are not part of the run made in mid-72.

The Model 28s made for the FHP are polished (not brushed), have 5-inch barrels and four-screw frames. They are in the S190000 range and date to 1959. These guns are very rare and seldom seen (I have seen one in my collecting career).

Bill

 

[Andy Taylor]

Hoot and Doc-Beautiful revolvers guys.

 

[Hoot]

Thanks Dick and Lucky Derby, I hope so too. I'll post more when I get the letter back. Even if it's not, I'm happy to have a gun that was delivered to Mr. Jinks. Puts this at the top of my collection.

 

[Conchis]

Wow, I came here looking for some information on my S&W and find out that it's a little bit rare. I have a Model 28-2 that is brushed nickel. It has the N stamped under the handle grips, but the N is not present on the number on the yoke. N2451** Very cool!

 

[Crabtree]

Wow, I came here looking for some information on my S&W and find out that it's a little bit rare. I have a Model 28-2 that is brushed nickel. It has the N stamped under the handle grips, but the N is not present on the number on the yoke. N2451** Very cool!

Conchis...cool indeed and welcome to the forum. The N stamped in front of the serial number is not an indication of the finish but is actually a part of the serial number series. Although I may have misread your post and there is an additional "N" on the frame. Either way, you should definately request a letter from Mr. Jinks.

 

[Conchis]

Conchis...cool indeed and welcome to the forum. The N stamped in front of the serial number is not an indication of the finish but is actually a part of the serial number series. Although I may have misread your post and there is an additional "N" on the frame. Either way, you should definately request a letter from Mr. Jinks.

Since I've never really considered myself a collector, I really don't have any experience in requesting a letter or what is involved. Thanks for the response and I'll look into it.

 

[diamonback68]

Wow, I came here looking for some information on my S&W and find out that it's a little bit rare. I have a Model 28-2 that is brushed nickel. It has the N stamped under the handle grips, but the N is not present on the number on the yoke. N2451** Very cool!

I assume it's a 4".
Yours is way above the known serial number range of the 54 brushed nickel 28-2s. They were in the five digit N28400 to N59622 range. There are a lot of them out there with an aftermarket hard chrome finish that looks an awful lot like brushed nickel.

 

[Conchis]

I assume it's a 4".
Yours is way above the known serial number range of the 54 brushed nickel 28-2s. They were in the five digit N28400 to N59622 range. There are a lot of them out there with an aftermarket hard chrome finish that looks an awful lot like brushed nickel.

That very well could be. I'm certainly no expert. Let me see if I can post a photo of it. Maybe you can tell me from that. Thanks for the help. (Darned, I was getting excited there for a minute).

 

[NFrameFred]

Sorry, Conchis - from the photo it's obviously a re-finish. The trigger and hammer should be case colored; doing those parts is the sign of an aftermarket (not factory) refinish. The photos of the real thing in this thread should show the obvious differences very quickly.

You still have a nice shooter.

 

[diamonback68]

That very well could be. I'm certainly no expert. Let me see if I can post a photo of it. Maybe you can tell me from that. Thanks for the help. (Darned, I was getting excited there for a minute).

I would say yours is definately hard chromed. Look at the picture above posted by Doc44, nickel has a more yellowish tint to it, hard chrome is more of a silver gray. I would save my money on a factory letter.

Edited: Yours also should not have chromed hammer and trigger.

 

[Conchis]

I'll definitely save my money on the factory letter. Thanks for all of the help. I still love this thing. Shoots great! Never fails. Can't ask for more than that.

 

[diamonback68]

Hard chrome is a very durable finish and will last a long time. Shoot it and enjoy!

 

[.357magger]

I'll definitely save my money on the factory letter. Thanks for all of the help. I still love this thing. Shoots great! Never fails. Can't ask for more than that.

A hardchromed Mod 28 is a VERY nice, durable blaster that imho now has the most durable finish (and easiest to clean too) for any firearm. I've had a couple over the years and I find them as easy, if not easier, to maintain than stainless.

GREAT shooter there man. Thanks for sharing the pics, made me want to go on the hunt for another beater and "put on a new coat" so to speak.

P.S. Get those "rubbers" off there Buddy , a set of period magna's, or even Executioners stags would look AWESOME on that gun. Just a thought, but I doubt you need them for recoil control as that N frame will digest, comfortably, ANY sane .357 load you care to feed it.