Model 28-2 "nickel" ???

[ballcoach16]

Got a guy who wants to sell this gun. Serial # is N572xxx. Pics attached (not great quality...will try to get more). S&W customer service tells me it was made in 1979 (but nothing more than that). This gun looks like nickel, not blued. At this price he's selling it, if it's factory nickel, then it would be worth way more I think. Anyway, how I can tell if it came from factory nickeled or not?

thanks

 

[arjay]

It's very hard to tell from the pictures what kind of finish it has.If it is nickel,it probably isn't original as only a handful of 28s were produced with that finish.My guess is that its blue with a lot of reflection.Can you ask the seller what it is?

 

[pennlineman]

One or more of the parts should have an N stamped on it somewhere. Try looking at the frame with the cylinder open or under the pistol grips. It may even be on the back of the cylinder where the charge holes are. If I were at home I'd look at mine at tell you exactly where it is. Just look for the "N".

 

[1 old 0311]

Are you in Indiana? There is a nickel 28 that a regular at the gun shows has been trying to sell for EVER. His is cased and is asking $950. I didn't check the fame but the cylinder is NOT marked N.

 

[S&W_aussie]

Hey

From the pics (to my eye) it doesn't look nickel..just seems the flash has blown out the photo a bit.

If you are looking for a genuine one, David Carroll has a satin nickel 28-2 for sale (unless its sold already). It is one of only 12 made and comes with a factory letter and original box, etc. The serial of that one is N40XXX, a pretty early N serial. It is not cheap but you would not expect it to be!

Cheers

Mike

 

[ikor]

Yeah...pass on this one...pretty sure it is a re-nickle and shooter grade

 

[gunlovingirl]

Whatever finish it is, it doesn't look original to me. I think it was originally blue, but has been refinished in nickel.

 

[Art Doc]

As I recall something like 55 nickel 4" 28s were made. Do you feel lucky?

 

[marinevet]

S&W records say that 12 model 28-2 were produced in a satin nickel finish in 1972......only 12.....I have heard stories that there may be a "few" more that were salesman's samples......but there are always stories about that one special gun.....there is a nickel 28-2 for sale from one of our forum members....I believe it is listed at $4000.00+

I think i would pass on this one.

SEMPER FI

 

[diamonback68]

S&W records say that 12 model 28-2 were produced in a satin nickel finish in 1972......only 12.....I have heard stories that there may be a "few" more that were salesman's samples......but there are always stories about that one special gun.....there is a nickel 28-2 for sale from one of our forum members....I believe it is listed at $4000.00+

I think i would pass on this one.

SEMPER FI

The salesmens sample story is a myth.
The 28-2s fron 1972 were all brushed nickel and there wasn't 12 of them, there were 54 of them.
Only 11 have ever been found and indentified as true nickel 28-2s.
The one in the picture is a re-nickel finish because the only other nickel 28s were in bright nickel for the Florida HP and they were all 5" guns.
We go over this every time a nickel 28 is found and every one has proven to be a fake so far.
Hope this helps to clarify.

 

[ballcoach16]

Whatever finish it is, it doesn't look original to me. I think it was originally blue, but has been refinished in nickel.

Other than the "N" that theoretically should be somewhere, is there a way to visually tell if it has been "re-nickeled."

Thanks for the responses.

 

[2hawk]

Other than the "N" that theoretically should be somewhere, is there a way to visually tell if it has been "re-nickeled."

Thanks for the responses.

NO Expert, but:
One of the clues on a refinish is how the gun was prepped. Look at the way there's a "trough" where the top of the sideplate fits to the frame- an indication that the parts were prepped/buffed by someone other than the factory. Buffing out the roll marks and stampings is also a giveaway.

The factory will mark the guns that they refinish.

Others will have more to add, I'm sure.

 

[Murphy2000]

I've been seeing one nickeled Model 28 on an auction site for well over a year now.

The seller hasn't outright said it was one of the factory nickle guns. He does however, state that it 'could be' a very RARE Model 28 and that he can't get it lettered until next year because Roy Jinks says the files on this particular year won't be available until then. Odd, it's been up for auction now for in excess of a year....hummm.

Oh, it was up for only about $950.00 or so.

Murphy2000

 

[marinevet]

the "bible" 3rd edition states " 25 guns with 5" barrels with nickel finish, marked F.H.P. #32 thru #56 shipped in 1959, serial range #S189071-#S192687

Satin Nickel: a few (5) reported with satin nickel finish, reportedly
as sales sample for Adolph Blaick Inc.

I took the 12 number from the website that has one for sale.

SEMPER FI

 

[diamonback68]

I took the 12 number from the website that has one for sale.

Well, that "website" is just trying to hype the sale to drive the price up. We know there were 54 brushed nickel and the serial numbers have been documented.

Murphy2000, I think the story about Jinks not having the records 'til next year is bogus. All 54 were shipped within a week or two of each other in June of 1972 to 15 distributors. The only thing a letter would tell you that we don't already know is which distributor it was sent to.
If it is a true nickel the price would be more like $4950 not $950.

 

[insider]

Well, that "website" is just trying to hype the sale to drive the price up. We know there were 54 brushed nickel and the serial numbers have been documented.

Murphy2000, I think the story about Jinks not having the records 'til next year is bogus. All 54 were shipped within a week or two of each other in June of 1972 to 15 distributors. The only thing a letter would tell you that we don't already know is which distributor it was sent to.
If it is a true nickel the price would be more like $4950 not $950.

Do you have a list of the documented serial numbers?

 

[Doc44]

I have a list of the serial numbers and the 28-2 in question is not one of them. All of the brushed nickel 28-2s were shipped in July 1972 and the highest serial number is in the N59000 range.

Bill

 

[MrG5122]

The sideplate seam gives it away for me.

 

[TXSlade]

Might be a bad place to ask, but if I have a model 19 2.5" that is in good condition, just worn bluing, would S&W be a good place to have it refinished in nickel? How are nickel refinished guns? they look like new? Or is it obvious it is a refinish?

 

[insider]

I have a list of the serial numbers and the 28-2 in question is not one of them. All of the brushed nickel 28-2s were shipped in July 1972 and the highest serial number is in the N59000 range.

Bill

Is N59820 a good number?

 

[insider]

Is N59820 a good number?

Alas, not a good number, but still a good pistol.

 

[JSR III]

If you look in the first photo at the top of the side plate, there is a visible groove or separation. This is a typical telltale sign of a refinish. As like all things S&W, nothing is ever for certain but it looks like a refinish to me.

 

[murphydog]

Guys, the OP hasn't been here in 4 1/2 years and I suspect he knows it was not an original nickel 28.

 

[insider]

Guys, the OP hasn't been here in 4 1/2 years and I suspect he knows it was not an original nickel 28.

Time sure flies!

 

[azmick]

Love these nickel 28 threads, the 'cheap entertainment' value is worth the time. Last time I saw one (in real life) it was pretty obvious it was chrome and done at Juan and Ernesto's Bumper Repair and the guy used the same low budget excuse for not having a letter but insisting the $1,200 price tag was a steal and further proof it was legit. gotta go now, have a line on a NIB 3 1/2" pinto 28-1

 

[weatherby]

Be careful Mick it should be 4"

 

[stevtett]

Nickle model 28-2

I have a list of the serial numbers and the 28-2 in question is not one of them. All of the brushed nickel 28-2s were shipped in July 1972 and the highest serial number is in the N59000 range.

Bill

Look at this I have had a few years, bought it out of Ithaca New York. I had read somewhere that the salesman models were Sent to That town, I do not remember the name of the place right off hand, I have meant to send off for the verification a couple years ago, but didnt. What is your thoughts on the serial number N30551

 

[Jtown]

stevtett

It looks like a refinish. Lettering rounded off.

 

[Doc44]

stevtett...The photo is a little unclear, but the 28-2 looks like it has been refinished. It is not on my list of serial numbers of brush nickel 28-2s.

Bill

 

[Golddollar]

I bought a Model 28 that had a nickel finish and I got a factory letter to confirm that it was an after-market finish. The price I paid was appropriate for what it was. I just happen to like shiny guns so this would be a premier shooter for me. I wouldn't pay the asking price of the gun in question.