The ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.including N frame ser# ranges

[BC38]

Looking for build date for my Model 29 4" barrel. Ser# N19816

Nice revolver, but this is the wrong thread for information about it.
Your Model 29 is a 44 magnum.
This thread is all about the Model 28 357 magnum.
For best results and replies, I would suggest starting a new thread with your questions about your Model 29.

 

[dobegrant]

Well now that the thread is back I might as well post my favorite Highway Patrolman - a 5 screw engraved and two-toned four incher with ivory grips I picked up at a show 3-4 years ago. The seller said his dad picked it up at an auction sometime in the 80`s but it didn`t come with a story so we don`t know who engraved it or who had the work done but from the wear and patina it looks like whoever had it originally got some use out of it before it got passed on.

I wish I could include a picture of my first Highway Patrolman and my first N frame .357 magnum- a well worn 4" model 28-2 I bought for a flat $100 from a local police lieutenant I knew when I was about 15. That model 28 taught me that I preferred the N frame to the K for shooting and for a belt gun and that the 8 3/8" barrel on my other N frame at the time, a nickel 29-3 was really just too long even if it looked cool. Sadly I let that first model 28 go 6-7 years later after I finally got my first model 27. These days I have plenty of N frame shooters and don`t NEED another 28-2 with only 40% or so of the blue finish left, but if I ever stumble across that particular one again at a local show I'll probably buy it back even if they want too much for it...

That is a really cool looking revolver and holster set. Just wow

 

[DEF3]

And here another one:
28 no dash 4 screw 4” S213775

 

[Retired W4]

I do love the HP thread. I'm sure, with 2463 replies going back to Dec. 2007, I have a couple of mine posted way back when. A tribute to a truly great revolver.

 

[Browns fan]

A TTT and a member asking for help obtaining a 4 inch 1962 HP
Thanks All who read my post

 

[DV0]

I’m in! 6” Model 28 no dash, 4 screw which I believe is very early 1960 #2009XX.

I have a feeling this was from SFPD because of where the dealer bought it 2 years ago. I saw some LE shipment specs somewhere, does some one have info?

I’m pretty certain I was the first to turn a screw on this lovely to check the matching stocks. Pics are kind of terrible but it’s all I have until it is released from its Ca. holding cell while I cool off

Is there a turn line?

 

[BC38]

I’m in! 6” Model 28 no dash, 4 screw which I believe is very early 1960 #2009XX.

I have a feeling this was from SFPD because of where the dealer bought it 2 years ago. I saw some LE shipment specs somewhere, does some one have info?

I’m pretty certain I was the first to turn a screw on this lovely to check the matching stocks. Pics are kind of terrible but it’s all I have until it is released from its Ca. holding cell while I cool off

Is there a turn line?

What a beauty!
I've blown up the pics as much as I can with MS Edge and I sure can't see a turn line.

 

[schutz5]

DVO,you scored a real gem! Try to get some paper reference to SFPD from seller and the value goes up.

 

[Bloodhound]

So I have been waiting to post my two new to me Highway Patrolman. I have owned a few in the past, but I let them get away from me. Now as I have gotten a little older, I wanted a 6 inch and a 4 inch in my pile. I am more of a shooter than collector, so I wanted functional perfect, but finish is not as much a concern. I found the 6 inch first, S325439 and then the 4 inch 2 weeks ago, S325009, and the 3 day cooling off expired yesterday and I was able to put the 2 together and get some pics. I know that S&W didn't ship based on serial numbers so one may have gone out the door at different times, but if my math is correct, these two are only 430 numbers different. That is very cool! Both came with Magnas, not numbered to the guns. I put the old hard nylon style Hogue grip on the 6 inch, the 4 inch came with the Hogue grips you see, I have a new old stock hard nylon grip on its way. I have had the 6 inch to the range and am very pleased. The 4 inch will get to the range this weekend. I am very pleased to be able to say, "yup I have a couple of Highway Patrolman revolvers"

PS I have loved reading thru this thread and now adding my two to the group.

 

[Model29-26.5]

My SN N28021
I’m only seeing six digit numbers in the years given.
What year would this one be?
Thanks

 

[Rodan]

My SN N28021
I’m only seeing six digit numbers in the years given.
What year would this one be?
Thanks

Most likely 1970-71, but only a letter will provide a definitive answer.

 

[boykinlp]

So I have been waiting to post my two new to me Highway Patrolman. I have owned a few in the past, but I let them get away from me. Now as I have gotten a little older, I wanted a 6 inch and a 4 inch in my pile. I am more of a shooter than collector, so I wanted functional perfect, but finish is not as much a concern. I found the 6 inch first, S325439 and then the 4 inch 2 weeks ago, S325009, and the 3 day cooling off expired yesterday and I was able to put the 2 together and get some pics. I know that S&W didn't ship based on serial numbers so one may have gone out the door at different times, but if my math is correct, these two are only 430 numbers different. That is very cool! Both came with Magnas, not numbered to the guns. I put the old hard nylon style Hogue grip on the 6 inch, the 4 inch came with the Hogue grips you see, I have a new old stock hard nylon grip on its way. I have had the 6 inch to the range and am very pleased. The 4 inch will get to the range this weekend. I am very pleased to be able to say, "yup I have a couple of Highway Patrolman revolvers"

PS I have loved reading thru this thread and now adding my two to the group.

Bloodhound, the finish on those 2 are nothing to sneeze at from what I can see. Great pickup.
Larry

 

[kscharlie]

Model 28 no dash, serial S193840 was shipped in November 1959.

 

[Bloodhound]

Bloodhound, the finish on those 2 are nothing to sneeze at from what I can see. Great pickup.
Larry

Thanks...The 4 inch has a little holster wear to the muzzle and the front of the cylinder, but it is tight with no end play and it lines up nice and tight on each chamber, so carried, but well cared for and likely not shot much. The 6 inch is pretty nice with just a turn ring on the cylinder. They are so pleasant to shoot.

 

[A10]

The 27th anniversary of the birth of this thread is rapidly approaching! Thank you Allen-frame for starting this! It's an amazing catalog of my personal favorite Smith and Wesson handgun.

BTW, still searching for a 28-1, I know there is another one out there!

EDIT:

Bad Math late at night! 17 years....this is what happens when you get old!

 

[Model29-26.5]

I really wanted this one because it kind of matches the 4 inch that I have that was re finished to more of a shine.
This has a red ramp and 3-T.
I had to let it go because I simply could not justify it having just The day before picked up a 27–2 6.5 and a 29-2 8”
But.. It is a shiny gun With the highway patrolman roll mark in 6”.
Something I do not have!!
Just a moment...

What are you guys think of this one??
I know it’s not all original and Collector, but I do like it.

 

[Bloodhound]

My 4 inch is going to get the hard nylon Hogue Mono grip, when it comes in. I am considering the Metalife hard chrome....it was the coating my mentor used on his in his duty gun

 

[collectordude]

My 1964 HP

 

[AC Man]

I was not looking to buy a Highway Patrolman. However, a 4" 28 - 2 unfired box, papers, tools, peaked my interest. I bought it. Most Highway Patrolman are used and abused. I would like a older one to go with it. Good luck on that in unfired condition.

 

[BC38]

LOL, the Highway Patrolman was explicitly built and marketed as a "working man's" gun (e.g. a LEO gun).
The majority of them were purchased by LEO's as a duty weapon, because that that is what they were meant for and what most of them were purchased for.
So, it is no surprise that a pristine, unfired example is going to be a pretty rare bird.