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

[AirCommando]

Lars,

If the box you have has the serial number of the gun on it, it is the original box. That 1955 date inside the box lid is a warranty date. S&W did that back in them days.

 

[Formandlao]

Many thanks

Lars,

If the box you have has the serial number of the gun on it, it is the original box. That 1955 date inside the box lid is a warranty date. S&W did that back in them days.

It makes good sense then with the date from 1955.

I cant wait to get my gun home.

 

[513brians]

My HP inherited

Hi everybody, I'm new to the site. I have a highway patrolman that my father sent to me today! It belonged to my Grandfather on my mothers side. He was a police officer in New Richmond, Ohio in the 50's and 60's. the serial # S 1206xx. I didn't realize how much there was to know about this gun. Any info you can share would help me to enjoy this gun even more. It brings back wonderful memories I have of my Grandpa.

Thanks!

 

[Reddog]

Congratulations 513!
It's a fine looking gun and a 4" to boot! And your Grandfather's, too! How lucky can you get?
Dick

 

[charlies]

Thanks...My model 28 4 screw is serial numbered S 1828xx.
Charlie

 

[S&WIowegan]

Hi everybody, I'm new to the site. I have a highway patrolman that my father sent to me today! It belonged to my Grandfather on my mothers side. He was a police officer in New Richmond, Ohio in the 50's and 60's. the serial # S 1206xx. I didn't realize how much there was to know about this gun. Any info you can share would help me to enjoy this gun even more. It brings back wonderful memories I have of my Grandpa.

Thanks!

That is a 5-screw gun so it is a very early HP. Does it have a Model 28 stamped under the yoke when you open the cylinder? Very nice!

 

[410bore]

That is a 5-screw gun so it is a very early HP. Does it have a Model 28 stamped under the yoke when you open the cylinder? Very nice!

It will not be marked Model 28 since its a 5-screw. Model numbering did not start until the HP was in the late stages of the 4-screw.

 

[513brians]

I have looked everywhere on this gun and cannot find 28 on it. I looked all around on the frame with the cylinder open. On the back of the cylinder and where he cylinder rod goes, the serial number is there and matches the one on the end of the but. The only other numbers or letters I can find is with the cylinder open and in front of it on the arm and on the frame is the number 3 55 30. On the frame is the letter Z.

 

[AirCommando]

It must be a pre model number gun, prior to 1957. Of course we need pictures. Nice gun.

Welcome to the S&W Forum!

 

[A10]

Hi everybody, I'm new to the site. I have a highway patrolman that my father sent to me today! It belonged to my Grandfather on my mothers side. He was a police officer in New Richmond, Ohio in the 50's and 60's. the serial # S 1206xx. I didn't realize how much there was to know about this gun. Any info you can share would help me to enjoy this gun even more. It brings back wonderful memories I have of my Grandpa.

Thanks!

Welcome to the Forum 513! According to the SCSW your gun was built in the 1954-55 time frame, making it an early production Highway Patrolman. Congratulations on a fine gun with a strong family history, I hope you shoot and enjoy it, and pass it down to the next generation!

 

[ky wonder]

Hello everyone, i'm new to S&W just got a .357 highway patrolman mod 28-2. i'm not too sure what year it is i have read it might be 67-68 serial is s303xxx. Some more confusion is that it's satin. can anyone help me figure this one out it would be greatly appreciated

that gun looks to have been hard chromed refinished and while true collectors might turn up there nose at it, I have a 4 screw K22 masterpiece that had the same done to it back in the 1970's and it has ridden thousands of miles in a holster on trucks and tractors, seen a truck load of ammo and looks as good today as the day I got it back,

the finish has been indestructible, and if you are anywhere close to central KY, I would gladly trade you a 4" 98%+ model 28-2 blue heads up for the hard chromed one

 

[513brians]

Thank you for the replies about my gun. I took it out and shot it for the first time today and it performed flawlessly. I'm in love with it! I appreciate the offer but, it was my grandfathers gun and I could never part with it. My son will get it next, once I ride off into the sun set.

 

[513brians]

When I went to the range yesterday and shot the gun for the first time I was very pleased with my accuracy with it. When I shot I like a double action I was a little less accurate but when I cockd it first like a single action the trigger was really short and broke very clean. My first six shots were all in about a 3 inch group at 15 yards. I tried to get my 24 year old daughter to shoot it but, she wouldn't. My son-in-law shot it and really enjoyed it. A very fun afternoon!

 

[45er]

Ok, I inherited a Highway Patrolman (28-2) with a 4" barrel. Very nice (95%) condition. Mine appears to have a "bright blue" finish and I know it's never been re-blued. Were all 28's matte finished?

 

[PALADIN85020]

Ok, I inherited a Highway Patrolman (28-2) with a 4" barrel. Very nice (95%) condition. Mine appears to have a "bright blue" finish and I know it's never been re-blued. Were all 28's matte finished?

Model 28s were never matte finished, which would have made them appear like dark Parkerizing. They were given a polish before bluing, but it was not the extra fine polish as exhibited on the Model 27s. Having said that, I've seen some very nice 28s where the polish was above the norm. There has always appeared to be some variance from gun to gun in the amount and type of polish before the blue finish was applied. Dressed up with Renaissance Wax, some can look pretty spiffy.

As always, it's good to post a good photo of what you have so that we can see specifically what you refer to.

John

 

[45er]

Model 28s were never matte finished, which would have made them appear like dark Parkerizing. They were given a polish before bluing, but it was not the extra fine polish as exhibited on the Model 27s. Having said that, I've seen some very nice 28s where the polish was above the norm. There has always appeared to be some variance from gun to gun in the amount and type of polish before the blue finish was applied. Dressed up with Renaissance Wax, some can look pretty spiffy.

As always, it's good to post a good photo of what you have so that we can see specifically what you refer to.

John

A direct quote from Shideler's 2010 edition of Standard Catalog of Firearms - The finish is matte blue; the rib is sandblasted instead of checkered or serrated, and the grips are the standard checkered walnut.

This is why I asked the question. I agree with you though, it doesn't look "matte" to me either!

 

[PALADIN85020]

A direct quote from Shideler's 2010 edition of Standard Catalog of Firearms - The finish is matte blue; the rib is sandblasted instead of checkered or serrated, and the grips are the standard checkered walnut.

This is why I asked the question. I agree with you though, it doesn't look "matte" to me either!

Never take a general firearms publication that devotes only a few lines to any particular gun as gospel. The only "matte" finish on the gun is the top of the rib. A "matte" finish usually is achieved with sandblasting, Parkerizing, or both. The word was amateurishly misused in your reference. Again, no Model 28s ever came from the factory with that type of overall finish. All, with the rare exception of a few nickeled guns, were medium-grade polished and blued.

John

 

[-db-]

I believe S&W refers to the Highway Patrolman's finish as "brushed blue".

I'm guessing here but as a former machinist it's a somewhat educated guess and I assume this likely refers to a wire brush wheel that was used to prep and deburr the metal prior to either moving on to the polishing wheels in the case of bright blue finishes or on to the bluing process directly, skipping the polishing wheel treatment, in the case of Highway Patrolman models.

 

[weatherby]

Satin blue is what a 28's finish is called by S&W

 

[-db-]

weatherby, not to be disagreeable (I'm far from an expert), but a search for the phrase "brushed blue" in reference to Highway Patrolman models shows us it is indeed used by a number of forum members who I believe might be considered quite knowledgeable.

For example:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-patrolman-finish-question.html#post135757276

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/210530-28-2-a.html#post136132028

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-differences-between-m27-m28.html#post1094756

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/84158-k-22-value.html#post911060

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/239868-28-2-6-inch.html#post136417535

And so on.

Furthermore, here is a copy of a factory letter calling it "brush blue":

A Google search finds Roy Jinks using the term in other correspondence, as well.