Nickel-plated Model 28 Highway Patrolman

[gunbarrel]

Although I'm nowhere near being an expert, a friend asked me to go with him to a LGS and check out this revolver.

I told him that I had never heard of a nickel-plated Model 28 Highway Patrol, but I took a quick look at the latest edition of the Standard Catalogue before we went. There, I found out that some were made for the Florida Highway Patrol and just a few were made in brushed nickel.

When we got there and I saw it, I quickly got the impression that it is an after-market nickel finish, and I told my buddy. But I also told him that the best way to find out is to get a letter of authentication.

The owner was very gracious and he let me take some quick pictures that I'm posting here. Forum, what is your opinion? Thank you!

 

[gunbarrel]

BTW, three numbers stamped on one of the stocks does not match the serial number. And the extractor is not nickel plated.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Although I'm nowhere near being an expert, a friend asked me to go with him to a LGS and check out this revolver.

I told him that I had never heard of a nickel-plated Model 28 Highway Patrol, but I took a quick look at the latest edition of the Standard Catalogue before we went. There, I found out that some were made for the Florida Highway Patrol and just a few were made in brushed nickel.

When we got there and I saw it, I quickly got the impression that it is an after-market nickel finish, and I told my buddy. But I also told him that the best way to find out is to get a letter of authentication.

The owner was very gracious and he let me take some quick pictures that I'm posting here. Forum, what is your opinion? Thank you!

The revolver has case-color hammer and trigger, which are present on factory nickel guns. There should also be a blued extractor star on a factory nickel gun. The rear face of the cylinder would have a stamped "N" between two of the charge holes at the edge, and the frame would also be stamped "N" on the left side of the butt frame. The SN puts it in 1979 production. SCSW doesn't mention any LE special orders in that time frame, but it could have been a private special order. There was a rather large NYSP order of M28-2 around that time frame, but they were all standard blued 4" revolvers.

I base the build date on my M520, which has a N558xxx SN and it was manufactured in late 1979 or very early 1980 (prior to February).

 

[gunbarrel]

Thank, HT. Yes, the hammer, trigger and extractor star match what the colors you describe. I could have missed the N on the rear face of the cylinder (sometimes is lightly stamped), but the only marking on the left side of the butt frame is what you see. BTW, does the S/N above the model number look unusual to you, or is it just me?

 

[Vtgw938]

Always assume nickel M28's are re-finished, as I think you are. But we always hope. Here is a good thread.

S&W model 28 4" nickel or SS

 

[stansdds]

99% chance it is refinished. The side plate screws appear to be blued, S&W would have used nickel plated screws. The rear sight appears to be plated, S&W rear sights would be blued.

 

[Doc44]

The Model 28-2 is a refinish in nickel that was done outside of S&W.

Bill

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. barrel, I was hoping you had stumbled on to a hard to find gun.
But, I dont think so. Mike

 

[Rodan]

The serial number is too late for one of the Florida HPs, and the dished screw holes on the sideplate and rounded edges elsewhere point to an aftermarket refinish. It would be interesting to see if the cylinder is stamped 'N', or if it's stamped to indicate a return to S&W...

 

[gmborkovic]

Rodan, do you see some pecker marks on the butt by the Sn.?
Looks like under the nickel.

 

[BAM-BAM]

If you want a nickel shooter... and the price is right!

Aftermarket finish should drive the price down............... as someone said to late for a Fla HP gun!

 

[Doug M.]

I thought they FHP guns were 5"; this looks by eyeball to be 6". Betting not factory.

 

[jimmyj]

FHP was sold on five inch barrel revolvers. Also the Troopers were allowed to install fancy grips on the issue revolvers.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I have one and it is not a FHP but looks good & shoots great...

 

[unspellable]

I have a 28-2 that's nickel plated. I believe it to be an after market job. It's an extremely nice job, done by somebody who knew what they were doing. Model 28's are fairly common. no rare collector's item. I think a really well done nickel job might be a small enhancement to the value. Of course an indifferent job would downgrade it.

 

[Doc44]

The Florida HP purchased 25 Model 28s with a 5-inch barrel and nickel finish in 1959 (4-screw frame). The revolvers are stamped FHP with numbers 32 through 56. In July 1972, S&W shipped 54 Model 28-2s with a 4-inch barrel and brush nickel finish to various distributors. The revolvers do not have an N stamped on any of the parts. The end label on the box is marked NB in the finish box. In addition, S&W did not offer a change of finish for the Model 28.

Bill

 

[gmborkovic]

Doc, you all ways cut right to the historical facts. Much appreciated. Mike

 

[bamabiker]

If the price is right, buy it. I love mine.

 

[lowriderfxr]

The Florida HP purchased 25 Model 28s with a 5-inch barrel and nickel finish in 1959 (4-screw frame). The revolvers are stamped FHP with numbers 32 through 56. In July 1972, S&W shipped 54 Model 28-2s with a 4-inch barrel and brush nickel finish to various distributors. The revolvers do not have an N stamped on any of the parts. The end label on the box is marked NB in the finish box. In addition, S&W did not offer a change of finish for the Model 28.

Bill

Bill,
Am I correct in assuming that all factory Nickel 28s are brushed nickel? It seems like I remember that being the case.

Many

 

[Hair Trigger]

Thank, HT. Yes, the hammer, trigger and extractor star match what the colors you describe. I could have missed the N on the rear face of the cylinder (sometimes is lightly stamped), but the only marking on the left side of the butt frame is what you see. BTW, does the S/N above the model number look unusual to you, or is it just me?

Doc44 has spoken, he's the unarguable expert here. I don't think the SN looks odd, the numbers there are individually stamped so they hardly ever line up or look alike.

I thought they FHP guns were 5"; this looks by eyeball to be 6". Betting not factory.

FHP guns are much earlier and have a S prefix.

I think there's a chance it could be factory, but a Letter would be the only way to know for sure. If it is aftermarket, the one who plated it at least followed the S&W pattern of Case color H&T and the blued extractor star. Most would have hard chromed the H&T and plated the star too

 

[Doc44]

The FHP guns shipped in 1959 have a regular (not brush) nickel finish, 5-inch barrel, and a 4-screw frame. They are stamped MOD-28 in the yoke cut.

The FHP also had a very few 19-2s with a 5-inch barrel and nickel finish sent for evaluation in mid-1969, but never did adopt them for general use. See photo below.

Bill

 

[rpv-ak]

Model 28 Nickel Finish

Model 28's. Great guns. My second favorite. S&W does not nickel-plate the rear sights on any revolver--always been left in the black. An "N" is stamped on the cylinder rear and on the left side of the grip frame to indicate a factory nickel finish. If those two stamps are missing, you can surmise the revolver was nickel plated by a 3rd party. If the revolver was returned to the factory for refinishing, S&W stamps a symbol, usually a star on the bottom of the grip frame or on the frame crane above model and serial number. Old Arms of Idaho has a Model 28 rear sight. I'd consider replacing the current sight as the nickel may hamper targeting. It is still a worthy firearm--provided the price is fair. the 3rd party nickel finish gives you lots of wiggle room during negotiations. Otherwise, walk away.

 

[ken158]

These model 28 nickel questions come up a couple times a year and no sense parroting what Doc44 has already said about the history of the FHP guns. Your gun or soon to be gun is not factory nickel.

 

[gunbarrel]

Please, read my initial post. I have no interest in buying this revolver. I have a factory nickeled Model 27 (see picture). A friend of mine asked me to go with him to a LGS to get my opinion (factory finish, or after-market refinish). I gave it to him and the Forum has concurred; therefore, he is no longer interested. Thank you, everyone.

 

[Golphin]

I have a nickel plated 28-2 I found at a pawn shop years ago. I have never ordered a letter but there are no markings to indicate it was done by S&W. Whoever did it did a good job though.