Model 28 FHP 5-Inch Polished Nickel

[dsparker10000]

I have a Model 28 Highway Patrolman that appears to be one of the 25 FHP 5-Inch polished nickel that shipped in 1959. I have not requested a letter of authenticity yet - I hoped to get some expert opinion from the forum before I spent the 100 bucks. I inherited the gun some years ago when my dad passed. He purchased it in 1979 from a dealer in a small north Florida town. Any information would be highly appreciated!
Model 28 (no dash number)
Serial No S191043
.357 CTG
5-Inch Barrel
Adjustable sights
4 Screw (3 on side plate and 1 on trigger guard)
Stamped (FHP 33) on butt
Polished nickel (including hammer and trigger?)

 

[handejector]

Better pics would help on the hammer and trigger, but they don't appear to be nickeled to me. Maybe just polished? Again, better pics would help, but the finish appears to be an original finish that has perhaps been polished, maybe with a buffer and very fine compound.
I'll let the 28 experts decide if it is one of the FHP guns cause I've never owned one.

 

[Doc44]

Your Model 28 is one of the twenty-five shipped to the Department of Public Safety, Tallahassee, FL on May 11, 1959. The Model 28s were ordered by Jesse E. Harpe, a dealer in Tampa, FL. They were stamped FHP-32 through FHP-56. These revolvers were shipped with diamond Magna stocks made of American walnut, so the newer target stocks (1969-1974) are replacements for the originals. Like Lee Jarrett stated above, the hammer and trigger are either nickeled or have had the case colors polished off. Still a very rare revolver not often seen.

Bill

 

[CH4]

That's a very cool gun!

I picked up one of the later, 1 of 500 FHP 5" nickel 27-2s (FHP1582). I found mine at the Reno Cabelas. I watched it sit in the Gun Library for a year before finally realizing what it was and snagging it. I am glad I did.

 

[Walter Rego]

As Doc44 said, a fairly rare revolver. If it were mine I would spend the money for a new case hardened trigger & hammer and a correct set of Magna stocks to restore it to the as issued configuration. That would be money better spent than on the factory letter.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

If it were me, I'd spring for the letter. It would tell if it was worth restoring the hammer, trigger and stocks. Thats just me.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

I'll be the contrarian.

Keep it as it was when you inherited that fine, historic piece.
That's the way your Dad wanted it.

Enjoy.

 

[Jack Flash]

Usually I'm a naysayer when it comes to letters but this one is a no-brainer, you'll be glad you got one.

As far as restoring it to its original configuration, that would probably enhance its market value. People with the skills to do that type of work are a vanishing breed so if you think you may someday want to do it, now is the time.

 

[Art Doc]

Rare and valuable. Absolutely spring for the letter because most people will question its authenticity without it. You have 1 of 25. Think about that for a moment. Don't think about the fact that Mike Priwer has the other 24.

Clean it and leave it alone. Don't even think about doing more than a cleaning.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Your Model 28 is one of the twenty-five shipped to the Department of Public Safety, Tallahassee, FL on May 11, 1959. The Model 28s were ordered by Jesse E. Harpe, a dealer in Tampa, FL. They were stamped FHP-32 through FHP-56.
Bill

Were guns like this then issued to certain individuals on the force, or were they offered for sale to officers? If the latter, a S&W letter would tell the original purchaser (after the DPS initial purchase), wouldn't it? I'd want the letter just to know the original owner, if that were the case. The other question I'd like to ask is, are the S&W serial numbers consecutive with the FHP numbers?

For the OP, can you show some more pictures, including one of the face of the cylinder? I would imagine this gun has been fired many times over the years, but maybe there's the off-chance it's been a safe queen for years? The fine scratches on the barrel would indicate it's been carried/used, so I figure it's also been fired, outside of the test firings from S&W. A light polishing/cleaning with some Flitz will bring out the luster in that nickel and smooth out some of those wear marks.

If you ever get tired of looking at it, give me a call.

 

[UFGator]

That is a unicorn. I have one of the FHP Model 27's. All of the troopers I worked around carried 5" versions of Colt or Smith and Wesson which were all nickel. There were Colt Troopers, Model 27s and of course your Model 28. All carried in cross-draw holsters on the left side regardless of whether the trooper was right or left handed. Troopers always had their violators sit in the right front seat when issuing a citation. This was circa 67-76 when I was around them. I think we'd love to see some more pictures. Congrats on a great find.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Congratulations on a wonderful and rare heirloom.

 

[Doc44]

Hair trigger...A factory letter will only tell where the twenty-five Model 28s were shipped by S&W, namely, to the Department of Public Safety in Tallahassee, FL. A letter will not tell you who the individual guns were issued to (or purchased by) as S&W's records do not contain that information.

Based on the serial number list shown in post #11, the FHP number and the serial number are not consecutive.

Bill

 

[dsparker10000]

Thanks for all the comments and information! My dad was a serious collector (mostly Smiths) and as a kid I would help him clean up his guns. I always really appreciated the beauty and craftsmanship of the S&Ws. I wound up with seventeen of what he had left, and I am trying to educate myself about them. I sure wish he had kept more of those beauties!


I'm 99% sure the hammer and trigger are nickel plated (see photo). I take it from the comments that there's no way it left the factory that way.


I also can see on the muzzle where some plating has come off and reveals nickel plate below, so I guess that means the gun was re-plated at some point? Is there any other way to check to be sure? How much would re-plating affect the value?


The gun was definitely fired (see photo of front cylinder), but I'm sure not since my dad picked it up in 1979.


I guess I'll go ahead and request the letter.

 

[Doc44]

If S&W refinished the Model 28 the company would normally stamp a R-N inside of a rectangle on the left side of the grip frame. If it was done outside of the factory there would most likely be no markings on the frame.

It also appears from the photos the original, standard hammer was replaced with target hammer. Not that unusual as many shooters preferred a target hammer and standard trigger.

Value of this Model 28 is very difficult to estimate as this variation is seen so infrequently, and usually is not for sale. The modified/replaced hammer and trigger, possible refinish, and replacement target stocks would negatively impact value, but it is impossible to say by how much as many Model 28 collectors would most likely pay a substantial premium to add this gun to their collection.

Bill

 

[Telecaster]

If you replace the hammer and trigger those parts still wouldn't be original. If the current parts have been that way since shortly after 1959, that's parts of its history.

 

[dsf]

Can the nickel be removed from the hammer and trigger and the original CCH revealed or restored?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Can the nickel be removed from the hammer and trigger and the original CCH revealed or restored?

No. CCH is only a few microns deep and polishing for plating removes it.

 

[ditrina]

Interesting, This gun is the first one I have seen with FHP stamped on the butt in parentheses, as opposed to being stamped on the left side under the cylinder.

Any one else??

 

[handejector]

With the new pics in Post 15, I would say it is definitely refinished, and it was done outside the Factory. It is an above average job, but not up to Factory quality.