Pre 28 Highway Patrolman question…

[robertwhite]

This Pre 28 is in near mint condition.

Question is whether it is is near mint original condition or is in near mint refinished condition?

On the grip frame, there is a stamping that I would imagine tells me it was either sent back to the factory for a refinish or some rework.

Thoughts?

 

[JP@AK]

It doesn't look refinished to me, but hands-on is better than a picture.

Check to see if that five digit number matches the one on the yoke. It may not be a date at all.

 

[Narragansett]

Does not look refinished to me, but closer pics would be better. Especially side plate

 

[robertwhite]

Check to see if that five digit number matches the one on the yoke. It may not be a date at all.

Excellent point, Jack.

The identical number is indeed stamped on the yoke. It just seemed so much like a purposefully stamped date, that I thought it was.

Likely gonna let it go into someone else’s collection. I’ve had it for quite a while and I am no longer going to keep things I won’t ever shoot. This one I won’t shoot based off the maybe virgin status.

I can’t call it unfired as I wasn’t around it’s whole life, but it sure looks like factory grease I wiped off the yoke to see the numbers.
There is also no noticeable powder anywhere.

 

[robertwhite]

More pics…

 

[gmborkovic]

wiped off factory grease? You are pulling my leg? arent you?

 

[scout II]

That doesn't look like a 5 screw pre-28. Does it have a serial number on the barrel channel where the ejector rod sits? Does it have a serial number on the rear face of the cylinder? Is it stamped with Mod 28 when you open the cylinder?

 

[19leben]

Not a five screw. Also the trigger shoe is gonna leave marks on the trigger when removed. Also has a definite turn line on cylinder. Overall the gun looks great and not refinished.


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[robertwhite]

wiped off factory grease? You are pulling my leg? arent you?

Again, I am by no means an expert, you tell me…..

These pics were taken under a 32x magnifier.

Heck, the ejector rod was kind of hard to push because of he star being stuck to the cylinder.

 

[robertwhite]

Not a five screw. Also the trigger shoe is gonna leave marks on the trigger when removed. Also has a definite turn line on cylinder. Overall the gun looks great and not refinished.


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Cylinder has definitely been turned. Whether it’s been fired is a different question.

And if not a Pre 28, what is it?

Serial is S 1816xx

 

[gmborkovic]

Robert, just joshing you. Forgot the Wink, Wink.

 

[robertwhite]

That doesn't look like a 5 screw pre-28. Does it have a serial number on the barrel channel where the ejector rod sits? Does it have a serial number on the rear face of the cylinder? Is it stamped with Mod 28 when you open the cylinder?

If memory serves, from 1955-1961 they were 4 screws as the top screw in the plate was eliminated. And it wouldn’t be stamped Mod 28, just Highway Patrolman if a Pre 28, No?

Feel free to correct me with proper facts if I’m wrong.

 

[robertwhite]

Robert, just joshing you. Forgot the Wink, Wink.

That’s perfectly fine. I’m absolutely serious about trying to determine if it is factory grease or not.

If anyone has an opinion after looking at the pics, please reply.

 

[TheHobbyist]

I think I have the highest condition 5 screw known to the public. Experience in having lnib 5 screws. My opinion, without seeing in person, is that the cylinder has been rotated around 500 times for what it's worth.

ETA / edit to add: highest condition HP, 4", LNIB.

 

[Hair Trigger]

If memory serves, from 1955-1961 they were 4 screws as the top screw in the plate was eliminated. And it wouldn’t be stamped Mod 28, just Highway Patrolman if a Pre 28, No?

Feel free to correct me with proper facts if I’m wrong.

What's the SN on the bottom of the butt frame?

 

[Doc44]

The number stamped on the lower left hand corner is the assembly number and not a date. The location of the assembly number on the frame was changed from the yoke cut to the left side of the grip frame in early 1957 (at least for N-frames). Usually, on these guns, the serial number is stamped in the yoke cut, but not always.

Bill

 

[robertwhite]

The number stamped on the lower left hand corner is the assembly number and not a date. The location of the assembly number on the frame was changed from the yoke cut to the left side of the grip frame in early 1957 (at least for N-frames). Usually, on these guns, the serial number is stamped in the yoke cut, but not always.

Bill

Thanks Bill, guess that answers that question.

 

[JP@AK]

Given that it has a jig hole and no serial number in the barrel shroud or on the cylinder, and it is a four screw, I'd say it dates to the first half of 1957. S181xxx fits that timeframe. I show one at S186xxx that left Springfield in May, 1957.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Although I'm not an expert, it looks like a righteous 4-screw Highway Patrolman to me. Doesn't appear to have any factory rework stamps on the grip frame, and the bluing looks original. As to factory grease, highly doubtful. More likely just residual gun oil, Hoppe's No. 9, or gun grease left untouched for many years. I would also find it hard to believe that a previous owner took the trouble to install a trigger shoe and then never fired that HP. I'll bet it has put a least a few rounds downrange.

 

[Nightowl]

I would think it is a pre model 28, four screw, made in the time frame between September 56, when they eliminated the top sideplate screw, and before June 57, when they began the model numbers. Considering the transition time from deleting the top sideplate screw, the early 57 is probably a good estimate.