Help Identify my S&W 357 HIGHWAY PATROLMAN

[estates]

Hello I need some help identifying my S&W 357 HIGHWAY PATROLMAN model.
The cylinder swings out to the side, behind the yoke the model numbers are:
N5XXXXX
MCD 28-2
51225
A8


Here are pictures to help with identifying and figuring out the year of my revolver. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Truckman]

You've already identified it as a 4" Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman...Six digit N-prefixed guns beginning with a 5 were produced from 1978 to 1980......Ben

 

[D Brown]

Hello I need some help identifying my S&W 357 HIGHWAY PATROLMAN model.
The cylinder swings out to the side, behind the yoke the model numbers are:
N565326
MCD 28-2
51225
A8


Here are pictures to help with identifying and figuring out the year of my revolver. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Where you noted "MCD" 28-2, that is actually MOD 28-2. The stamping may not have produced a legible"O".

 

[jmiles1960]

I have a factory box for 28-2, if you're interested PM me.

 

[ACORN]

Someone with the ship date will post it shortly, I am sure.
It is a Model 28-2 with the desirable 4" barrel. It is a 6 shot .357.
If you have the stocks look on the inside to see if they are marked with the serial number.
They are a work horse of a revolver

 

[JP@AK]

estates

Welcome to the S&W Forum and congratulations on your acquisition. The Model 28-2 is my favorite revolver to shoot, especially the 4" variant. It was the first handgun I purchased when I got back from my second year in SE Asia in 1972.

Rapid fire from a Weaver stance at 15 yards:

The revolver in the picture isn't my first one - I picked this one up a few years later. Over the years since 1972, I've owned several and two of my sons were given 4" HPs by me for their first handguns. Even though I am not an N frame collector, the HP remains the gun I like to shoot the best.

 

[Venom6]

After WWII the .357 became increasingly popular and desirable with the nation's law enforcement community. But few agencies (and fewer officers) could afford S&W's top-of-the-line revolver. So Smith made a few changes (almost all of them cosmetic) to "the .357 Magnum" (pre-model 27), such as foregoing the fine checkering on the top strap, more modest polish/blue (some say it wasn't polished at all, but rather bead-blasted), but with the same parts and fitting, and a reduced price, and named it - fittingly - the "Highway Patrolman". 1954. Change from name to model numbers occurred 1957-1958.

 

[Muley Gil]

After WWII the .357 became increasingly popular and desirable with the nation's law enforcement community. But few agencies (and fewer officers) could afford S&W's top-of-the-line revolver. So Smith made a few changes (almost all of them cosmetic) to "the .357 Magnum" (pre-model 27), such as foregoing the fine checkering on the top strap, more modest polish/blue (some say it wasn't polished at all, but rather bead-blasted), but with the same parts and fitting, and a reduced price, and named it - fittingly - the "Highway Patrolman". 1954. Change from name to model numbers occurred 1957-1958.

Actually, model numbers were just added to many firearms. They kept their names.

 

[JP@AK]

model numbers were . . . added . . . [t]hey kept their names.

Yes. For examples, the Highway Patrolman became the Model 28 Highway Patrolman; the Military & Police became the Model 10 Military & Police; the Combat Masterpiece became the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece and so on.

 

[DGNY]

Another big welcome to you, OP. The highway patrolmen are great favorites on this most excellent forum.

With any luck, you will not only find a box, noted above, but also several sets of grips/stocks. Mine tend to wear stocks of antler, with originals in a safe place.

Hoping that revolver will serve you, your heirs and distributees for many a moon.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! It appears that a few folks have picked up some Highway Patrolman revolvers recently. There is a post above from Stephanie B. ("Finally Scratched That Itch") that has some interesting comments in it, too. Besides my first year (1954) 4" Highway Patrolman, I have three Model 28-2s (4" & 6")...all are N2xxxxx s/n's from 1974-1977. The HP is a workhorse revolver, and I know that you will have a great time shooting it with both .38 Spl. and .357 Magnum rounds. Enjoy!

 

[Roofuss]

My 28-2 { 6" bbl} with box and papers. Been a safe queen for a long time, and going for a one way trip to a local gun show this weekend.