Borderline 28

[NFrameFred]

Serial number range (S191XXX) puts it at 1959, year after they started marking them with model numbers - 4 screw 6" Highway Patrolman, 28 no dash that still retains approximately 95% of it's original finish and appears barely fired. A small scratch here, a small rub there, but in excellent condition after it's 51 years here. Unfortunately the box and original grips seem to have parted long before it came to me.

The problem I have is . . . . it's just too nice and I know I'll never shoot it, since I like my guns in nice condition but all mine are also shooters. I'm thinking this one needs to belong to someone who is a more of a S&W collector instead of an accumulator such as myself. Still on the fence about that, but . . .

Thought I'd show it off anyway



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[Vulcan Bob]

That sure is a nice one. The no dashs are sorta hard to find!

 

[Jebus35745]

Thats a nice 228. I haven't shot mine yet but I found a first year (1954) just recently. Go ahead and shoot it, you may find its a tack driver. You won't loose much if you really take care of it and you'll enjoy the accuracy. Larry.

 

[Art Doc]

It is very nice. But realistically it's far from "collector quality" and there's no reason to not simply shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[wraco]

Your M28 is real close to the one I have. Mine has a light line around the cylinder and the rest is as new.

Fred, don't let the nice condition of yours keep ya from shooting it. Nothing better than pulling out a gem at the range.

Rod

S/N 1913xx

.

 

[A10]

That is a lovely 28! It must be close to the elusive -1. Nice find! And I wouldn't be afraid to shoot it either, I don't believe in safe queens (well, too much anyway). Enjoy!

 

[01shm]

Hi Fred

I have a mod 28 no dash S1912XX 4" original diamond magnas, my dad carried it on the Highway Patrol during the early 60's till he bought a no dash 58 4".

The 28 was chrome plated not nickel and looks as good as ever. The 58 hes sent back to the factory to nickel and install TH/TT. it also has the diamonds numbered to the gun and they're not the PC magnas you usally see on 58's.

Jerry

 

[Buford57]

It is very nice. But realistically it's far from "collector quality" and there's no reason to not simply shoot it and enjoy it.

+1 If you just shoot it at the range and don't shove it in a holster and tramp through swamps or neglect proper cleaning and maintenance, it will still be a better-than-average condition shooter with incorrect grips 20 years from now and will be worth no more or less than the going price for a 70-year old HP. If it had the original numbered magnas, box, papers, etc. I might feel a little (but not much) differently.

 

[Dave T]

Not trying to give the OP a hard time but I have a 4-screw, 28 no dash (4 inch) with SN/ S189XXX and was told it was a 1959 gun. Why do you think your S191XXX was made in 1958?

This 28 shows some holster wear but had the best DA trigger pull of any Smith in my safe.

Dave

 

[Camster]

It is very nice. But realistically it's far from "collector quality" and there's no reason to not simply shoot it and enjoy it.

...what he said.

 

[FirebirdV8]

If I have an unfired NIB rare gun I have to decide if I should shoot it or not. However, if a gun has seen firing, outside of the factory, then shoot it and take good care of it. It will retain is current condition as long as you don't abuse it.

 

[SaberOne]

I purchased a 4-inch variant in 1974-75 back when I was a LEO in the San Diego area. The bull-barrel was impressive looking and I wish I had held on to it for prosperity. Of course back then I never imagined I would actually get old or even care about the past. Oh well, that's life. As for shooting or collecting, I would shoot it without reservation. Unless you just leave it outside in the elements and never oil it, the Model-28 will out last you and everyone else. Unfortunately at my age, collecting no longer seems logical...

 

[diamonback68]

Not trying to give the OP a hard time but I have a 4-screw, 28 no dash (4 inch) with SN/ S189XXX and was told it was a 1959 gun. Why do you think your S191XXX was made in 1958.

Dave has a good point. I have S1821XX 28 no dash model marked and it is probably one of the first to be model marked and it was shipped in October 1958.

 

[NFrameFred]

I stand corrected - I mis-read the line in my SCSW - serial number is from 1959.

And I likely will shoot it - I can't keep one I won't. I always figured if I had one just to look at I may as well just post a picture on the wall. Still, this one will probably be babied a bit more than the others that are more "working" guns.

I'm tickled at the find and since I'm unlikely to ever be able to find, much less afford, a first year model (1954, my birth year) this is probably as close as I'll get.

 

[ENGINE18]

Very nice 28...shoot it!

 

[Jebus35745]

I found my pre-28 on an on line site and just for the heck of it, I e-mailed the seller and asked the ser no and for pics. He was headed close to me on a Sunday to a guitar show with some friends and we met to see the gun. Its abt a 96-97% gun for 400.00 with pacs. It ended up a first year gun according to Roy when I asked him the ship date of 8/54. Life is good, Larry

 

[Three44s]

Your no dash is a very nice gun ..... congrats!!!


Three 44s

 

[XTrooper]

Unfortunately at my age, collecting no longer seems logical...

Ditto.

That's a very nice 28. I'd enjoy it, i.e., shoot it.