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

[TAROMAN]

Late to the party, but finally arrived.

Been shooting S&W revolvers since the early 1970s but never actually saw a Model 28 until last week.
Stopped in the LGS for primers and there's a nice 6" model in on consignment. Handled it and it just "spoke" to me. Only problem was that it was wearing Pachmayrs.
The asking price was pretty steep, however (there being NO bargains on nice S&Ws around here).
Anyhow, I made an offer and Friday night the shop called that it was accepted. Picked it up today, and I asked if they had any Magnas. Dug through their junk box and found a somewhat presentable pair (1 small chip) that they threw in. I'd like to add a T-Grip, maybe a bronze one.
Unfortunately, we're flying out to a funeral in the AM, so there will be no chance to get to the range until next week.

Any thoughts if I should try to fix the chipped stock, or just shop for another pair (or left one)?

Note: Its a 1973 build (S/N N1009XX)

 

[ElmerKeith]

Congrats to this nice gun and the almost matching grips.

Sorry for the one who left this earth and you have to go his last way with him/her.

But when you are back please let us know about your experiences on the range with your new tool!

 

[SAFireman]

My grandfather's pre-28

I guess that I have been here long enough that is well past time for me to post this here.

I got this from my grandfather when I got accepted into the Police Academy. He insisted that I not carry it until I graduated.

The back story for this one:

My grandfather was a Provost Marshal. He and some of the local LEO's that had all served together during WWII routinely got together to play cards in the evenings. During one of their regular sessions, a young State Trooper who had 'redeemed himself' was invited to join the group. His very first night, he ran short on cash during the game, he thought that he had a winning hand, and foolishly placed his duty weapon, this very pre-28 on top of the table. Needless to say, he had a lot of explaining to do the next morning when he reported for duty.

My grandfather carried it for the rest of his days, and on into retirement from the military and into service with some larger cities. He later carried it during his real retirement (as a part time security guard for a local market). The holster that you see was made for him by a long time resident of the brig.

This is S1266xx the diamond magnas are marked with the matching serial number.

 

[stevieboy]

I agree, Pachmayrs are not pretty, but they tame recoil for me better than anything else. I have a set of finger groved Pachmayrs on my 28-2 6". They definitely do nothing for the gun's appearance but, for function? They are extremely comfortable, thin, yet covering the gun's backstrap. As for performance, Fuggedaboudit, the gun shoots like a laser with those grips and I can shoot it all day long with even 125 gr. magnums.

 

[snw19_357]

Nice HP SAFireman, and great story!

 

[bamabiker]

I guess that I have been here long enough that is well past time for me to post this here.

I got this from my grandfather when I got accepted into the Police Academy. He insisted that I not carry it until I graduated.

The back story for this one:

My grandfather was a Provost Marshal. He and some of the local LEO's that had all served together during WWII routinely got together to play cards in the evenings. During one of their regular sessions, a young State Trooper who had 'redeemed himself' was invited to join the group. His very first night, he ran short on cash during the game, he thought that he had a winning hand, and foolishly placed his duty weapon, this very pre-28 on top of the table. Needless to say, he had a lot of explaining to do the next morning when he reported for duty.

My grandfather carried it for the rest of his days, and on into retirement from the military and into service with some larger cities. He later carried it during his real retirement (as a part time security guard for a local market). The holster that you see was made for him by a long time resident of the brig.

This is S1266xx the diamond magnas are marked with the matching serial number.

That's a very nice old HP and an even better story. Congrats on getting your grandfather's gun.
Your thread made me realize I had not put my old HP in this thread. It's serial number is S1113xx, just a little earlier. Unfortunately for me it was not a dear relative's gun but just one I traded for at a recent gun show. But I was happy to get it.

 

[railroad]

help!!!!!

just joined,need help locating "good" leather holsters and gunbelts for my 28-2 4".

 

[MP1983]

keep an eye in the classifieds of the forum, under "accessories" etc., you'll find a good bargain if you're patient...otherwise, check out El Paso Saddlery, Milt Sparks holsters, or Don Hume holsters, you should find something you like in your price range between those three...

there's lots more though...some other forum members may have some thoughts to share...

P.S. WELCOME ABOARD!

 

[railroad]

thanks mp1983,will go there and look

 

[ab4ka]

Got to add my new baby to the thread

Model 28-2, S.N. is 574xxx

 

[kenjen]

just picked up a very nice 28-2 today sn#n530xxx with a 6'' barrel. about 2 yrs. ago my neighbor was throwing away an old s&w box and asked me if i wanted it, it was for a mod 28 her late husband had, so i took the box hopping to fill it one day,and today is that day.

 

[TAROMAN]

just picked up a very nice 28-2 today sn#n530xxx with a 6'' barrel. about 2 yrs. ago my neighbor was throwing away an old s&w box and asked me if i wanted it, it was for a mod 28 her late husband had, so i took the box hopping to fill it one day,and today is that day.

Until we see the pictures - "it didn't happen!"

Great find, congratulations and welcome to the club!

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I picked up this M 28-2 several years ago and have not fired it.
It was manufactured in 1967-1968 S3040xx and appears virtually unfired. It has a 0.500" wide target trigger and hammer. Wondering what it's value might be.

 

[TAROMAN]

Nice. Very nice. I'd guess that the OO swapped for TT/TH/TS. I did this with several of mine back in the day.

Now, do you plan to fire it?

p.s.: GREAT photography!

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Nice. Very nice. I'd guess that the OO swapped for TT/TH/TS. I did this with several of mine back in the day.

Thanks. I was guessing that too. However it doesn't make too much sense to go to that trouble and not to have shot it (or at most very little). It shows no holster wear.

Now, do you plan to fire it?

p.s.: GREAT photography!

I have many pristine S&W revolvers. I can't stand the fact that someone else might buy them when I come across them so I snatch them up. I do have a bunch of S&W shooters as well, but my "rescued" pristine examples just sit in the safe(s) and get fondled periodically. Thanks for the compliment on the photography. That's my other hobby.

 

[MP1983]

Cap'n Jack, are the grips numbered to the gun? If so, it may be worth the $50 for a Roy Jinks historical letter to see if it was perhaps a special order. Although my guess is, it was done in the 70's after all the Model 27's came out of the factory that way (someone wanted their 28 to "compete" w/ the Jones').

I've always wondered around what year the 27's started leaving the factory w/ ONLY wide target triggers - even the 3-1/2 inchers (making them nearly useless as a law enforcement gun IMHO). Never understood that. (Just kinda thinkin' out load here.)

 

[MP1983]

I picked up this M 28-2 several years ago and have not fired it.
It was manufactured in 1967-1968 S3040xx and appears virtually unfired. It has a 0.500" wide target trigger and hammer. Wondering what it's value might be.

My guess, between $500 & $650 depending on the market.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Cap'n Jack, are the grips numbered to the gun? If so, it may be worth the $50 for a Roy Jinks historical letter to see if it was perhaps a special order. Although my guess is, it was done in the 70's after all the Model 27's came out of the factory that way (someone wanted their 28 to "compete" w/ the Jones').

I've always wondered around what year the 27's started leaving the factory w/ ONLY wide target triggers - even the 3-1/2 inchers (making them nearly useless as a law enforcement gun IMHO). Never understood that. (Just kinda thinkin' out load here.)

Up until several years ago, I kept an Exel spreadsheet with all of my guns listed and included everything (box/papers/tools/etc.) that came with them. Of course the computer eventually gave up the ghost and naturally I had no backup. In my defense it was not one of my two primary computers which were continuously backed up. It was an old one in my gun room/reloading area that other than that file didn't have anything of worth on it other than that file and some reloading data. Anyway I still have all my paperwork involved in each purchase and will reconstruct the spreadsheet eventually. Though I didn't realize it when I started this thread, I thought I'd have a look through all my S&W boxes on the odd chance that I had bought this with a box. Sure enough I have the original box, papers, and the original trigger and hammer plus the original rear sight (black S&W micrometer and original sight screw). Currently the gun has a white outline rear sight.

In answer to you question about the grips, they have no markings and have silver washers on the inside. No "special features" on the end label.

 

[MP1983]

In answer to you question about the grips, they have no markings and have silver washers on the inside. No "special features" on the end label.

No big deal Cap'n Jack, that just means it wouldn't have any extra collector value. But having the upgraded parts & grips (I'm sure it came w/ magnas numbered to the gun), along w/ box and original parts, and seeing how clean it is, I'm sure in today's market it's worth around $600 there in New England.

It's a beauty! Thanks for sharing.

 

[dacoontz]

Funny, that this thread reappeared recently. My father just picked up serial number S231,9xx out of a gunshop in Montana. It has a little holster wear but from what I remember seeing last weekend I would rate it at least 95% finish. It has a blue finish, 4 inch barrel, target diamond grips, original box in great shape, tools minus the screwdriver, paperwork, and an old MP holster. The box also has a registration card in it that allowed the original owner to have the gun on a military base in Benning? Georgia. It looks to have been the personal gun of a military police captain stationed there back in the 60's when the gun was shipped. Pretty cool if you ask me. I can't wait for him to hand it over to me for safe keeping. I just have to think of something to trade him. Maybe another visit from the grandkids will butter him up. I'll post some pics when he gets around to sending them to me. And FYI, it is a 3 screw model marked 28-2.