Model 28-2 question...

I have two Model 28-2s. One is a 4" "S" series, while the other is a 6" "N" series. Both appear to be finished very similar to the one the OP displayed. Mine likely have a bit more shine due to the fact I wax them in order to make cleaning a more enjoyable task.
Dave
SWCA #2778
 
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GunarSailors said:
That makes absolutely no sense to me...
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Made no sense to me, either. Except for some minor holster wear at the muzzle and on the front edge of the cylinder, and the ubiquitous cylinder ring, the gun was pretty much flawless. It was apparently just not shiny enough for him, and when he got it back, it was too shiny. Although it looked great, it no longer looked like a "real" 28-2 to me.

This little story sort of gives credence to that old saying of "Be careful what you wish for."
 
BigBill said:
I thought coming from the surplus military guns was bad when it came to restoring and refinishing. You guys are just as bad picky wise. If your a avid serious collector that's a good thing you want the best original piece as you can get.

No flames intended but from my past experiences I have to ask do you find yourselves having two collections? One pristine collection of NIB unshot examples, and a second collection of shooters?

I ask this because in the surplus collecting world you can find one rare gun in good condition, then a very good one will show up, then a excellent condition one, then an unfired one will show up. You end up with two collections non shooters and shooters?

I feel the m28 is the industrial version of the m27. With its heavy duty industrial double dipped blue finish. Polished or not polished they do look Purdy.
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Actually when I built my Collection of some 37 S&W Revolvers I did just that as I had 7 Modell 27-2's in various barrel lengths my 3.5 inch had a name carved under the grip area and it was my Shooter model 27-2. I had 7 Model 29-2's of both Nickel finish and blued in various barrel lengths and I sold them all and my 629 no dash 4 inch, 629 no dash 8 3/8 inch, and I kept my 6 inch 629 no dash that I still have and it's my shooter 44 Magnum.

I sold my 3.5 inch Model 27-2 shooter, a mint 28-2 with 4 inch barrel, and my 6 inch Model 28-2 and I kept a 4 inch 28-2 in excellent condition as my shooter.

I'm sure every collector is different but I felt someone had to save the near mint and mint examples in pristine condition for the future.
 
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So I decided to venture into the safe and drag out the 28. What I found was very weird but answers I think most question even my own. Depending on the angle of the light and the camera, mine looks just like the OP's. The camera picks up more than your eye can see. Mine has a satin finish throughout. So I took some pictures and it amazes me how I missed this before:

SAM_3625.jpg

SAM_3627.jpg

SAM_3628.jpg
 
srv1 said:
So I decided to venture into the safe and drag out the 28. What I found was very weird but answers I think most question even my own. Depending on the angle of the light and the camera, mine looks just like the OP's. The camera picks up more than your eye can see. Mine has a satin finish throughout. So I took some pictures and it amazes me how I missed this before:
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Beautiful satin finish. But I think mine has a little more shine to it. Your edges are just like mine it looks like.
 
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My 3 remaining Highway Patrolman's, a second month of production 4" HP, an S prefix 28-2 (4") and a N prefix 6" 28-2 all have the same finish, with slight variations in the sides. It actually looks like a bead blasted finish in the following areas. Starting at the barrel rib and around the front sight, the top of the rear sight and top strap, frame around hammer, down back strap, rear strap, butt, front strap, under trigger guard and inside trigger guard, and front of trigger guard up to and including the frame and yoke, AND a light treatment of the inside of the frame where the cylinder resides. That is a round the clock description of what I call the bead blasted area, if that is in fact what S&W did. That is what they all look like including, as I remember, the 4" 28-2 I recently sold. I believe I have posted pictures of all of these guns over the years.

A while back some one mentioned to me that simichrome/flitz would be bad for the original finish, but if you had to do that it is a shooter grade gun any way. Waxing one would also change the appearance of the finish (more gloss) but not hurt the finish. That is just my opinion on the waxing of a HP but it definitely changes the look by imparting more gloss to the satin finish.
 
I don't think I have ever seen a model 28 with as nice a finish as the OP's gun. That is much more polished than the usual 28. From that standpoint it would be easy to draw the conclusion that it has been refinished. But, it does not display any of the usual refinish indicators that I have been taught to look for. (On this forum mostly). The sideplate fits perfectly, no indication of dishing around the screw holes. Lettering and logo sharp. The edges of the cylinder flutes do not appear to be rounded, the cylinder stop notches are also sharp. The ratchets appear to be in the white, and the underneath of the trigger guard is still in the roughed finish that is normal for 28s. The last place I looked was the front of the ejector rod. It is not in the white as one that has been fitted would look, but this one has sharp edges, like it never needed fitting. So, If it is a refinish, its a darn good one, but I think it shipped like it looks currently.
 
After rereading and watching the OP's video I think some one polished/waxed the original finish HP, possibly S&W (polishing only) , outside the T&H. The T&H would not have been waxed by S&W Polishing those parts with Simichroe/Flitz just removes the case colors. I believe you can make the S&W satin finish look (under a good digital camera) like that by applying wax to the gun, and/or polishing it, whoever did it. It is a beautiful example that is likely the original finish.

The other question is how does it shoot? I shoot all of my HP's but the 4" S prefix 28-2 gets the most range time. I have no doubt the guns posted in this thread are serious shooters.
 
Retired W4 said:
The other question is how does it shoot?
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Actually haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. But am really looking forward to it. I also have a recent 27-8 Lew Horton and a 19-3 purchase that haven't been shot yet either. I think I ll make a day out of it and shoot them all sometime soon.
 
Pisgah said:
I once sold an as-new 28-2 to a fellow on Gunbroker. When he got it, he insisted the gun had been refinished because he KNEW 28's had a "matte finish"! He actually threatened to sue me for misrepresenting the gun!

When you say "matte", some folks envision something akin to the old Victory model Parkerized-type finish. Fact is, the 28 never had a matte finish except on the edges of the frame. The rest is nicely polished, but with more of a "brushed" look than the mirror-polished 27.
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^^^this^^^

I have a -2 Patrolman shipped in '77 if I recall.

"Brushed" I think is the best way to describe the finish of the areas in question. Mine is just that, with the more matte or blasted look on the front of the frame and trigger guard like the OP's.

The OP's Patrolman is ALOT shinier than mine in the areas in question!

My amateur guess is that it has been polished/waxed.

Looks great! Tempted to try a little wax on mine! ;)
 
BigBill said:
Can the original dull finish be buffed or polished to a glossy finish?
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I don't see how. There is no way I would ever use Flitz on a blued anything. I am too scared... LOL. I have always been taught the shine is something you achieve before bluing is applied. Wax is another story, and it does make it shine more, but you can still see its a satin finish. Even if Fitz was okay to use on bluing, to get it factory even, and up to all the proper places well enough to make it shine, you would already be to the point of wearing the bluing off. I don't know much, so maybe I am wrong. I just think this bluing had to be done after the polishing was done on this particular gun, and I think it was also done by the factory. I think the trigger and hammer were polished by someone after the fact. Just my 2 cents.
 
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Thumbs up on the video! I have a 28 no dash from 1960. Yours definitely has more of a shine. Regardless, it is cool! With Smith, expect the unexpected. Bob
 
IME, the M28s have a big difference in finish. Could look almost washed out or a very dark high polished blue. Some police depts ordered guns and probably got custom finishes. It is the same for internal parts. When you open them up, it may look really good but may look like they used way substandard parts. I have seen quite a few that looked very rough inside.
 
srv1 said:
That has been refinished. Underneath the trigger guard and in front of the yoke is all matte blued. I do not think it came from S&W that way.

James
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That's exactly as they came from the factory. The gun looks original.
 
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