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

[srsmyth]

MP1983
I just attended a wedding in Colorado and was able to stop in to meet Patrick Grashorn and purchase some stag grips to put on my HP while DWFAN is restoring the originals. I'm sure you will be happy with the stags, I sure like them. There are a lot of opportunities to get grips here.
Steve

 

[MP1983]

I've been enjoying this thread for a while and thought I'd add mine. Purchased last year. Could anyone give me a year for it (N268XXX).

I saw the question above posted yesterday. According to Supica & Nahas, in their 1st Ed. "Standard Catalog of S&W" (1996) it would have been produced around our Nation's Bicentennial, between 1975 & 1977.

For all you regulars, excuse me for breaking protocol in the providing a proper quote box. I tried hitting the "Quote message in reply" bottom, but couldn't get it to work.

 

[MP1983]

guess it worked, I must be smarter than I thought (lol)

 

[nostraDONus]

I saw the question above posted yesterday. According to Supica & Nahas, in their 1st Ed. "Standard Catalog of S&W" (1996) it would have been produced around our Nation's Bicentennial, between 1975 & 1977.

For all you regulars, excuse me for breaking protocol in the providing a proper quote box. I tried hitting the "Quote message in reply" bottom, but couldn't get it to work.

Thanks. I graduated High School in 1976 so I'll consider it my graduation present to myself.....a little late.

 

[MP1983]

Thanks. I graduated High School in 1976 so I'll consider it my graduation present to myself.....a little late.

Don't think of it as belated, just think about how some nice gentleman was kind enough to pick it up for you. He cared for it all those years, and then let go of it when the time was right. I think it was pretty nice of the old guy, even if you don't even know who he was.

I have a 4 inch Model 66 in excellent shape that I picked up cheap at my local pawn shop a couple years back that I think about that way. Roy Jink's shared that it left the factory right when I was in the middle of basic training and I thought, "you know, if I could've bought that gun then I would have - and now I have it."

Thank God for the caretakers.

 

[stantheman86]

I just bought my first Highway Patrolman, I have many S&W's including an M29, but I'm a .38-.357 fanatic so I had to have one of these. It's a 1981 production, so I was 1 year old when this was made. I have bought about 6 S&W's that hit all around the years before and after I was born,got '78's, '79's, an '82....... but have yet to get a 1980......someday I'll get one that was born the same year I was!

Does anyone know why the 4" 28's bring more than the 6" models? On GB there will be a decent looking 6" for say $500 or so, then a beat up 4" will sell for not much less?? It seems the 4" are a bit more desired, maybe there were more 6" models made? I'll have to check my S&W Digest tomorrow.

I may have overpaid a little, $400 and some change for a pretty well used 4", has a little bit of endshake and it looks like it's seen a few thousand magnums......but I wanted a "shooter grade" piece and it seems like an OK deal. Around where I live finding any older Smith, let alone an N-Frame of any condition, that is in good enough shape to go bang priced for below 5 bills is virtually impossible. Some real basket case M29's go for like $6-700 with ease at gun shows....a guy was buying an M29 for $300 that was shot so loose the cylinder rolled from side to side and you could hear the endshake......he's like "I'll tighten 'er up"

 

[Gary7]

Does anyone know why the 4" 28's bring more than the 6" models? On GB there will be a decent looking 6" for say $500 or so, then a beat up 4" will sell for not much less?? It seems the 4" are a bit more desired, maybe there were more 6" models made? I'll have to check my S&W Digest tomorrow.

You just have to be patient. I got this 4" for $350. It's got some holster wear but is tight.

 

[stantheman86]

That's a steal for that 28! Nice!

I must admit, even though I call myself a S&W fanatic, I have spent years focusing on the K and L frames, only buying one N frame, and that was an early 70's Model 29. I have only educated myself on the N frames since I bought Supica and Nahas's book. I feel kinda dumb now, when I bought my M29 I was like "If only Smith had made these in .357......." I had no idea what a Registered Magnum was until I saw Patton's on display at Ft. Knox, and probably 2 seconds after I discovered the Highway Patrolman existed I decided I needed one.

I may write this one I just bought off as a "shooter", maybe put an endshake bearing in it, and look for a nicer 6" model just as a "keeper". I have a feeling, just like I did with Model 10's, once I develop a "love" for a certain model I end up with several of them.

 

[MP1983]

Welcome aboard. Great minds must think alike- I, too, recently ordered a set of Grashorn stags for my 28. Be sure to share some photos once you're all set.



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Last edited by -db-; Yesterday at 04:36 PM. Reason: stocks arrived, photo added

-db-, you got some fine grips from the Executioner. srsmyth has some nice ones too. As soon as I can, I'l share pics of mine. I don't think you can beat Pat Grashorn's elk grips when it come to the beautiful product he provides, in addition to his fair pricing & "down home" personal service. He's the man!

 

[lanceman193]

S127557 probably made in 54 BUT....

My 4 inch pre 28 letters to shipping 8/22/55.The grips are numbered to the gun and if its possible to have a 99% gun from 55 without the box,I think I do.I think about 5 years ago I paid $440 for it,which was a lot at the time.Wouldn't it be great to have your birthday 8/22/55 and a gun that shipped on that day that has held up so well.Plus I'd be 8 years younger.

 

[dogngun]

Thanks so much for this thread! I have owned three Highway Patrolman revolvers, the one I have now will be the last - I'm taking it with me when I die.

I have a 4" version, SN is S3304xx, placing it in 1969. I have Pachmayr rubbers on it now - I'm getting old and the .357 is pretty hot for me now, but I think the rubbers help.
Mine is in excellent mechanical condition, but has been refinished, so I was able to buy it cheap - around $350.

One of the best revolvers of all time, IMO, the one that led me to love N frames.

Thanks again.

mark

added: I think the 4" HP's are so expensive because some people carry them - the 6" models are a little large - it helps to use a good shoulder holster for them (no longer popular)...but it can be done!

 

[lebomm]

28-2 4" P&R 3-screw, N8023, altered to .44 Spl.

 

[JasonV7466]

Little Help Please

I just inherited a Highway Patrolman and am trying to find out more information on it, like age and value. All I know is that it's a .357 with a 6 inch barrel and the serial # is N436XX. It appears to be in great condition about 90-95%. I'm just not that familiar with revolvers. I've attached a picture and would appreciate any help I can get. Thanks.

 

[Hyperion]

My 28-2, 4" barrel, is Serial N5774XX.

 

[JasonV7466]

Mine is a 28-2 as well just unsure of the year. I see that yours is 6 digits long with the serial number as mine is 5, do you know what year yours is? And the value of yours? They are definately nice revolvers but i'm more interested in semi-autos.

 

[Hyperion]

Mine is a 28-2 as well just unsure of the year. I see that yours is 6 digits long with the serial number as mine is 5, do you know what year yours is? And the value of yours? They are definately nice revolvers but i'm more interested in semi-autos.

If you look in the first post on the first page you will find some serial number ranges and dates. You should be able to look up your approximate date of manufacture there. Values depend on condition, scarcity, location, etc. Mine is a great shooter, but not a collector piece and I don't know its value.

 

[JasonV7466]

If you look in the first post on the first page you will find some serial number ranges and dates. You should be able to look up your approximate date of manufacture there. Values depend on condition, scarcity, location, etc. Mine is a great shooter, but not a collector piece and I don't know its value.

Ok thanks, I'll check there and see what I come up with.

 

[canucksvt]

M28-2

I purchased a Model 28-2 (SN: N291XX) yesterday for $450.00 ($479.25 with tax). It did not come with a box or paperwork unfortunately, but it is in excellent mechanical condition. I just happened upon it in a gun shop that I had never been in before. This revolver locks up tight and has a little wear on the muzzle and some of the edges. I did not know much about the Highway Patrolman model until I just read through this thread.

I plan on taking her to the range tomorrow to see how she shoots. If you don't mind, I would like to have someone comment on what I have (year of manufacture, condition, price paid) and let me know what kind of deal I got. I realize you only have these two photos to work from at this time. Thanks in advance!

 

[MP1983]

I just inherited a Highway Patrolman and am trying to find out more information on it, like age and value. All I know is that it's a .357 with a 6 inch barrel and the serial # is N436XX. It appears to be in great condition about 90-95%.

According to SCSW it looks between 1970 & 1972 (my guess is '71). As for value, I'd look through this thread and you'll get a good idea. As low as $350 and as high as $550, depending on where you are located & how motivated you might be to sell (or someone else may be to buy), assuming it's all original.

It will only increase in value. Keep it cleaned & oiled, and enjoy shooting it!

 

[MP1983]

I purchased a Model 28-2 (SN: N291XX) yesterday for $450.00 ($479.25 with tax). It did not come with a box or paperwork unfortunately, but it is in excellent mechanical condition. I just happened upon it in a gun shop that I had never been in before. This revolver locks up tight and has a little wear on the muzzle and some of the edges. I did not know much about the Highway Patrolman model until I just read through this thread.

I plan on taking her to the range tomorrow to see how she shoots. If you don't mind, I would like to have someone comment on what I have (year of manufacture, condition, price paid) and let me know what kind of deal I got. I realize you only have these two photos to work from at this time. Thanks in advance!

Yours would be between 1970 & 1972 as well. You got a fine deal, the 4 inch variety can be more desirable in terms of pricing - but of course if you ever wanted to take a deer with it you'd want to go w/ a 6 inch (I know this is a no-brainer fellas). The condition sounds great & looks fine by the pics, should be a real rip-snorter!

I bet the grips have the serial # stamped inside, so don't ever get rid of them if you chose to go w/ Pachmayr's or soemthing else for the range. Plus, it would be good to take them off & oil everything (the frame & leaf spring), and w/ the grips on you can lock the hammer back and put a drop of oil into the hammer well & a drop under the trigger (holding gun upside down). Then dry fire it a few times to work it in. I use Breakfree if it looks a little soiled, if it's clean I just use some Hoppes oil (not solvent).

I have always done this w/ my old revolvers anyway, but I'm open to criticism if any one feels different.