Smith and Wesson Highway Patrolman

[yrag144]

I have a S&W Highway Patrolman 357 ctg. The # on the butt of the grip frame is S 1048**. The face of the recessed part of the cylinder is also marked 1048**. The yoke and adjacent frame are marked 238**.
Any help I could get to tell me what I've got would be greatly appreciated.
From the posts I've seen on this forum I think this may be a pre-model 28. Made in the 50's.
I sure could use some help finding out the history on this firearm. THANKS AGAIN! Gary

 

[D Brown]

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition, the Highway Patrolman was introduced on April 15th, 1954.

The number on your gun, again according to the SCSW, 4th Ed. places your ship date some time in late 1954 to early 1955. Yes, this is a pre-model number Highway Patrolman, and the numbers on the yoke and frame, "238**" are factory assembly numbers, and completely meaningless once the gun is shipped out of the factory.

I hope this helps.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Gary, new member, welcome. Great shooter. Enjoy!

 

[Thinnes]

Must show pics! Dave

 

[The Gila Bender]

Howdy and welcome Gary. You have an early first-year production Highway Patrolman, aka "Pre-28." Possibly shipped first month. Production began in 1954 with serial S103500. 8,427 units were manufactured in the first year. What is the barrel length and condition? Here's my first-year HP with original box, serial S114081, shipped July 20, 1954 to Union Hardware in Los Angeles CA.

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome, yrag144!

You picked the right S&W revolver to start with! My first centerfire S&W was also a Highway Patrolman. That was more than half a century ago, but they still rate very high on my list, especially the 4" version.

Here are a couple pictures:

 

[lowgun]

My first S&W was a new 4" HP serial number S276334, bought in 1966 from S&W distributor Front Royal Supply in Front Royal, VA. I had been buying guns and ammunition for my club members from them since I was a mid teenager, but this was the first S&W for me. The price was $69.00. Kenny Haag, the proprietor, was a high average NSSA skeet shooter and a proficient big game hunter who shot bears in Alaska with his Model 29 in the company of some famous author/hunters. I still have the gun and Ken's note to "Come on down and pick up your .357."

 

[Green Frog]

Welcome to the S&W Forum Gary. Please be sure and come back often to chat or just to observe. Your early HP is in a strange niche as a collectible is concerned. When it was made, it was the "plain jane" version of the more glamorous 357 Magnum which started as the Registered Magnum and eventually became the Model 27. The HP was meant for the working cop (or civilian either) who wanted an affordable version of Smith's flagship model. They didn't command high prices then, but nice examples have taken on a cachet of their own now and prices are appreciating accordingly. Also, they were popular for custom conversions to other calibers and barrel lengths... you might enjoy a search of recent posts about this.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Bob L]

Welcome to the forum Gary. Glad that you decided to join us and you have a Very Nice Highway Patrolman. Are you planning on parking it in the back of the safe or will it be getting some range time? Always glad to see range pictures and targets so if that is your plan, make sure that you share it. My Highway Patrolman is a wonderful revolver at the range. Welcome!

 

[dcopper]

Welcome to the Forum from Arkansas. Nice piece of S&W History you have there! Poor Mans Model 27.