Pre 28 not stamped Highway Patrolman

With this information and images, a letter of authenticity would be unlikely to shed any more light on this gun; it will probably be documented as a standard Highway Patrolman with no mention of the barrel caliber rollmark. However, the ship destination may be prove interesting,
 
Not likely S&W used pre-27 barrels on highway patrolmans. Knurling was added to the 27 barrels to make them fancy The whole purpose of highway patrolman was to build a less expensive gun using less work and fancies. To knurl the barrel just to then machine them off again would be "extra" work.
 
rgm36 said:
Not likely S&W used pre-27 barrels on highway patrolmans. Knurling was added to the 27 barrels to make them fancy The whole purpose of highway patrolman was to build a less expensive gun using less work and fancies. To knurl the barrel just to then machine them off again would be "extra" work.
Click to expand...

As steelslaver mentioned above, it depends on at what point the barrel rollmark was applied. If it was right at the end of the production process, after the checkering/knurling would have been done, it could have just been a simple mis-stamping. A letter may (or may not) clarify.
 
I saw this gun for sale too and came here to start a thread asking the same question. Glad it is already being discussed.
 
It sounds as if the OP is knowledgeable and the gun sounds correct in every way except the roll marked “Highway Patrolman”. Since it’s not a VERY early serial number, my bet is it was an agency special order gun. I’d definitely request a letter and Historical Society info. Interesting gun!
 
It might be a good idea to call Dr. Jinks and ask his opinion. If there is something unusual or special about the gun or its markings or lack thereof, he may suggest getting a letter. Usually when he does there is a valid reason to do so. If not then nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Dr. Jinks has also stated on several occasions that roll stamps did break from time to time and that would not prevent S&W from sending the gun out. It is also possible that the roll stamps were in the machine and one more barrel went through before they were changed. S&W did not waste anything.

It is also possible that the purchaser ordered it that way and S&W was always willing to oblige a customer to make a sale.

We may never know but certainly worth further investigation. That is half the fun of collecting when there is something not quite right. Solving and documenting these situations is its own reward.
 
mchom said:
SCSW does describes this gun. Page 156
Click to expand...

I guess that I'm missing it...Page 156 describes "The Highway Patrolman...", but not this specific revolver. It talks about the original test production marked "Patrolman", and the Van Orden suggested name change to "Highway Patrolman", but nothing about a revolver with a non-HP stamped barrel. I would have to agree that someone must have mis-stamped this HP barrel with a ".357 Magnum" stamp instead of a "Highway Patrolman" stamp.
 
I would guess the revolver will letter as a standard Highway Patrolman, but you will never know for sure unless you letter it. It is possible (or probable) the barrel was incorrectly roll marked. S&W has done similar things with other models and marketed them anyway (i.e. the 1955 Target, Model 25-2, roll marked as a 1950 45 Target). Samples of this model sent out by S&W for evaluation were most like serial numbered lower than S103000, as regular production began at S103500.

The roll marks on both sides of the barrel look a little washed out in spots, possibly suggesting a refinish?

Bill
 
rgm36 said:
I found out that this was issued to a Conservation Officer from Lacrosse Wi.
Perhaps the very early government issued guns that didn't go to the police weren't stamped highway patrolman.
This has to be scarce.
Anyone know anything more about these early so called patrolmans?
Click to expand...

Where did you get the information indicating Conservation Officer/Lacrosse, WI? Any documentation?

Interesting gun.
 
Joining the SWCA and this forum are worth the money.

Besides being able to ask they guy who ran the production floor at S&W questions, you can ask for a ship date on any of your guns. If there is something interesting about yours or where it went to a "very interesting gun" hint will be included.
 
Yes i followed the instructions. Used the Paypal option and it was accepted. It was only 30 minutes ago. Maybe it takes a while to get through the system here.?
I had been a member for quite some time, then let my membership lapse. If Roy tells me the gun is rare and worth a million dollars, then it is worth the membership donation:p
 
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