Recently inherited Highway Patrolman

[Jocko-44]

Hello! I joined this forum quite a while ago and have been away for some time, I have never posted I just like to lurk. I recently inherited a Model 28 Highway Patrolman 4" from a relative that passed away. I have attached a few pictures of the gun. I am still a rookie when it comes to S&Ws, but I am learning more everyday on the forums. It is a model 28 with no dash, does that make it more valuable than later models with the dashes? Thanks for the help!

 

[JohnRippert]

That one spent a lot of time coming out of and back into a holster. If only it could talk and tell its stories. A no dash M28 would get a bump on value if it were in better condition. That is a great inheritance and in good shooter condition. My advice is to put lots more ammo through it.

 

[Jocko-44]

My plan is to shoot the heck out of it! It was a state troopers sidearm for many years as my relative told me.

 

[robvious]

I have its close brother.. S1949XX.. 4 inch HP... great shooter.. enjoy

 

[Hair Trigger]

If the second number in that SN is a "9", the gun is from about 1959. The damaged stock and worn finish would decrease its value some, but its age and no-dash still make it collectible. Whatever you do, don't refinish it, though. keep it oiled and shoot it often.

 

[JP@AK]

That is a nicely used but not abused Highway Patrolman. The Model 28 with no dash number was made only from 1958 until 1960, so they are relatively scarce. For all intents and purposes, it was replaced by the 28-2. The -1 is extremely rare - only one unit has ever been identified.

The thing that makes your revolver especially delightful is the stocks. Those are highly valued Coke stocks that were available mainly on the .44 Magnum. They almost certainly did not ship with this gun but they constitute a HUGE plus for your handgun. Too bad about the large chip missing from one of the panels.

Congratulations. But I am sorry for your lost relative.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Clean, check timing, headspace, and endshake (or take it to a good gunsmith for checkout and service), install a set of grips or stocks that fit your hands, and go shootin'. Use good ammo. Have fun, be safe. Consider having those nice diamond target stocks restored by someone in this forum.

 

[Jocko-44]

If the second number in that SN is a "9", the gun is from about 1959. The damaged stock and worn finish would decrease its value some, but its age and no-dash still make it collectible. Whatever you do, don't refinish it, though. keep it oiled and shoot it often.

Yes its a 9, and I definitely plan to keep it original. Thanks!

 

[Jocko-44]

The thing that makes your revolver especially delightful is the stocks. Those are highly valued Coke stocks that were available mainly on the .44 Magnum. They almost certainly did not ship with this gun but they constitute a HUGE plus for your handgun. Too bad about the large chip missing from one of the panels.

How did the stocks get the name "cokes", as in coke bottles? Thanks

 

[Bob L]

I would see if you can get some history from your relatives concerning the history of the firearm and it's service and write it up so when you pass it on, the history stays alive. Sorry about your loss and you have a very nice Highway Patrolman, Enjoy it.

 

[.45mtngun]

I second what Bob L said about getting all the history on the gun as in time it will be lost. What detail that may not seem to important could be very interesting in time down the road. Above all never refinish the gun at all. Remove side plate, carefully and clean and lube the parts, more than likely they are dry in there. There are several videos on how to do it properly and with proper screw drivers. Most of all, enjoy your fine shooter!
Jim

 

[JP@AK]

How did the stocks get the name "cokes", as in coke bottles?

They generally have a slight palm swell. So, when viewed from the backstrap, they roughly approximate the shape of a Coke bottle.

Actually, the best way to recognized them is the extent of the checking - it is greater than that on standard N frame target stocks. All Coke stocks have the football shaped extractor relief, so far as I know. It is possible that some of the Presentation Cokes, don't have it and, of course, they aren't checkered. Someone who is more of an expert than I am with the N frames (Bill Cross, for example) may be able to address that issue.

 

[RKmesa]

Yes its a 9, and I definitely plan to keep it original. Thanks!

Welcome to the Forum Jocko! With the exception of the chip in the stocks, everything about that gun moves me. I love the holster wear and the "coke" stocks/grips.

Congrats and thanks for sharing,

 

[Jocko-44]

^^^^ Thanks for the kind words! This HP is my new favorite handgun. I wish I knew the story behind how the stock got chipped, I'm sure it would be very interesting… Or maybe it just got dropped lol

 

[Jeromejr]

Nice revolver. S suffix on sn and coke bottle grips pluses!

 

[BigBill]

I'm not sure about now but m27/m28's have been rare like hens teeth for many decades. Save those grips and get a new set on eBay. The Thailand grips on eBay look great

 

[Jeromejr]

Keep the grips! Maybe fixable.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Yes, no refinishing, that is honest wear.
It is a 4 screw, since the Highway Patrolman was introduced in 1954, wouldn't a 4 screw be a dash model?

 

[JP@AK]

It is a 4 screw, since the Highway Patrolman was introduced in 1954, wouldn't a 4 screw be a dash model?

No. The fifth screw was dropped in 1956. The fourth screw didn't go away until the 28-2, in c. 1961. All Model 28s had four screw frames.

 

[Jocko-44]

There's a screw in front of the trigger guard. 3 visible screws and 1 under the stock makes it a 4 screw, correct?