The ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.including N frame ser# ranges
- Thread starter Allen-frame
- Start date
I've wanted a N-frame .357 Smith for a while now so recently on a whim, I looked at an auction site and found a S&W 28-2 6" listed without much action. Reading the description, I saw why, the seller mentioned there was a very slight bulge 1.5" from the muzzle. Reading further, I saw the location was only 12 miles off a planned trip route so I took a plunge, bid and won it for $367. I picked it up yesterday and it is in what I'd call 95% + condition. Barely a turn line, very little blue wear, even the faces of the cylinders aren't powder caked. The recoil shield is well marked though. As for the bulge, well if there is one, it is darned slight! No box or papers and it is wearing Goodyears but I am happy! Darned, I hope it shoots! So here is N189177:
S/N N239419 with 4' bbl,grips, not numbered
Nice! Thanks for sharing. The 4 inch has a great look to it!
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
Good buy! Just FY...I have a revolver with a bulge on the outside of the barrel that can be felt if you run a finger there. However, neither a gunsmith nor I can see any trace of a bulge on the inside. We think it's just a slight manufacturing glitch.I've wanted a N-frame .357 Smith for a while now so recently on a whim, I looked at an auction site and found a S&W 28-2 6" listed without much action. Reading the description, I saw why, the seller mentioned there was a very slight bulge 1.5" from the muzzle. Reading further, I saw the location was only 12 miles off a planned trip route so I took a plunge, bid and won it for $367. I picked it up yesterday and it is in what I'd call 95% + condition. Barely a turn line, very little blue wear, even the faces of the cylinders aren't powder caked. The recoil shield is well marked though. As for the bulge, well if there is one, it is darned slight! No box or papers and it is wearing Goodyears but I am happy! Darned, I hope it shoots! So here is N189177:
Big Cholla
Member
Great Buy! Never be worried about a problem S&W barrel again. With all the de-miled parts showing up on the auction sites, one can pick and choose a replacement barrel at a reasonable price. Barrels are very easy for the informed DIYer or the local Armorer to replace.
If you can't see or feel a bulge, it is probably the result of an over active imagination by a fussy owner. The proof of the pudding will be "how does it shoot?". IMHO try a mild mid-range 38 Special first and then a mid level 357 M load, both in jacketed bullets. If one of them shoots well, I don't think that you will have any problem at all. Lead bullets could shoot well even with a bulged barrel.
Given the opportunity, I would have paid $100 more than you did for that Highway Patrolman. ............... Big Cholla
If you can't see or feel a bulge, it is probably the result of an over active imagination by a fussy owner. The proof of the pudding will be "how does it shoot?". IMHO try a mild mid-range 38 Special first and then a mid level 357 M load, both in jacketed bullets. If one of them shoots well, I don't think that you will have any problem at all. Lead bullets could shoot well even with a bulged barrel.
Given the opportunity, I would have paid $100 more than you did for that Highway Patrolman. ............... Big Cholla
docbrazos
Member
Waited a long time. Picked up a 28-2 S/N N159XXX Pinned 4" Barrel Recessed . Guessing 1973?
Gripgrabber
US Veteran
I recently found a 28-2 4" in excellent sn n 5841xx p&r with no holster wear for 500 out td at a gunshow! I love those N frames!
jframe
Member
Ok, I am now officially a member of the Highway Patrolman club. 28-2 I picked up at a local gun show this past Sunday. The grips aren't right, but are surprisingly comfortable. I've got some Grashorns on the way, though; felt the old girl deserves a nice pair of shoes. I want a short barreled 27 so bad I can taste it, but I just can't really afford the coins, so I think this is a great alternative.
Attachments
Just picked this up a couple weeks ago. It was a duty gun and came with some beat up targets on it. It's got alittle honest finish wear to it but mechanically is perfect. I cleaned it and waxed it and now I need to talk to ray and get a holster for it!
The S/N is N106xxx
The S/N is N106xxx
That is a beauty, looks like VERY little honest wear. That is a pretty early S/N on this thread as well. Congratulations on a nice HP.
Steve
Yes I am very happy with it, holster wear is slightly more prominent that the pictures show, it is just hard to photograph.
jggaffney
Member
My 28-2, Ser # S-292XXX, early 1967. I bought this at Sportsman's gun Room east of Sacramento. The owner had 2 in the case, and I picked this one. He said he gets Model 28s in frequently because Calif CHP officers retire, move to the mountains, then eventually sell their service revolver. If you live in NoCal and are in the market for a Model 28, check it out.
Attachments
This will have to do until I get some real grips and a better camera, just had to show it.
28-2 N286xxx
28-2 N286xxx
Last edited:
scotchblade
Member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2012
- Messages
- 61
- Reaction score
- 55
I recently came across a 28-2 with a 6" barrel. Serial number indicates a later manufacturing date of 1979. It did not come with original grips, so I am going to start searching.
Were the magnas the standard issue during this time period? My dad bought a 4" back in 1974 and it had the magnas, but I remember going with him to find the targets. Like an idiot, I sold that gun in the nineties.
With the 6" barrel, I prefer the look of the targets, on the 4" I prefer the magnas. They seem more balanced looking to me that way. But that's me.
As always, I welcome your feedback. I learn something new here everyday.
Happy Thanksgiving
Were the magnas the standard issue during this time period? My dad bought a 4" back in 1974 and it had the magnas, but I remember going with him to find the targets. Like an idiot, I sold that gun in the nineties.
With the 6" barrel, I prefer the look of the targets, on the 4" I prefer the magnas. They seem more balanced looking to me that way. But that's me.
As always, I welcome your feedback. I learn something new here everyday.
Happy Thanksgiving
New member. Recently purchased early N serial # HP blue, 4 in barrel pinned, chamfered cylinders, case hardened hammer and trigger, adjustable rear sight. The revolver is missing original grips. Are magnas the historically correct grip style and what is the best sources for them? Frustrated by ebay because of waits and last minute charlies who drive the price beyond reasonable. Will give serial # data in another post.
PA Guns & Ammo
Member
WaywardSon
Member
I work part time in a LGS...spend some time behind the counter, but mostly in the back taking pictures and getting guns listed on Gunbroker. Yesterday I was walking down the aisle and just happen to notice a revolver on the bottom shelf of one of the cases, kinda hidden really. I get it out & lo and behold it is a very nice 28-2! Lets just say it never went back in the case
A Highway Patrolman was one of the first guns I ever bought with my own money. I remember riding my GS-750 to the guys house, handing over $250 and securing the gun with a bungee cord to the seat for the ride home This was mid to late '70's...later on I sold/traded that gun & have wanted another since. This one ain't going anywhere. N frame Smith's are the best looking revolver ever built IMO.
I'll try and get around to taking a pic....6" bbl.,Target stocks, built about 1976 & only a tiny weak spot in the bluing at the muzzle. Can't wait to shoot it.
A Highway Patrolman was one of the first guns I ever bought with my own money. I remember riding my GS-750 to the guys house, handing over $250 and securing the gun with a bungee cord to the seat for the ride home
This was mid to late '70's...later on I sold/traded that gun & have wanted another since. This one ain't going anywhere. N frame Smith's are the best looking revolver ever built IMO.I'll try and get around to taking a pic....6" bbl.,Target stocks, built about 1976 & only a tiny weak spot in the bluing at the muzzle. Can't wait to shoot it.
Serial number on the frame under the grips and on the yoke is N8846. The firing pin is on the hammer and appears to have been a duty gun. Blue nearly worn off on the end of the barrel, an area on the cylinder, and the areas where the barrel joins the frame. Can anyone help with history data on this revolver?
WaywardSon
Member
Other, far more knowledgeable folks will likely chime in soon...but it would appear that your gun was built in the early '80's...probably 1983. As far as the stocks go, I have no idea what is "correct". I put Targets or Hogue's on mine...hey, they fit my hand Others here will know what your gun should have. Probably the best source for stocks is right here. Keep your eye on the classified section & you will find what you need.
Others here will know what your gun should have. Probably the best source for stocks is right here. Keep your eye on the classified section & you will find what you need.
ibewbull
US Veteran
28-2 Me too.
Two 28-2s and a 3 1/2", 27-2 who slid in to ham it up.
Two 28-2s and a 3 1/2", 27-2 who slid in to ham it up.
I think your serial number is most likely in the 1970-71 time frame. We like pictures here, even poor ones so let's see some pics!
HP 28-2 Information request
New member. Recently purchased HP blue, 4 in barrel pinned, chamfered cylinders, case hardened hammer and trigger, adjustable rear sight. The revolver is missing original grips. Are magnas the historically correct grip style and what is the best sources for them? Frustrated by ebay because of waits and last minute charlies who drive the price beyond reasonable.
Serial number on the frame under the grips and on the yoke is N8846. The firing pin is on the hammer and appears to have been a duty gun. Blue nearly worn off on the end of the barrel, an area on the cylinder, and the areas where the barrel joins the frame. Can anyone help with history data on this revolver?
New member. Recently purchased HP blue, 4 in barrel pinned, chamfered cylinders, case hardened hammer and trigger, adjustable rear sight. The revolver is missing original grips. Are magnas the historically correct grip style and what is the best sources for them? Frustrated by ebay because of waits and last minute charlies who drive the price beyond reasonable.
Serial number on the frame under the grips and on the yoke is N8846. The firing pin is on the hammer and appears to have been a duty gun. Blue nearly worn off on the end of the barrel, an area on the cylinder, and the areas where the barrel joins the frame. Can anyone help with history data on this revolver?
Attachments
GreatWhiteNorth
Member
Last week I was driving back home from a meeting in Olympia and I stopped by chance in a small gun shop in Lakewood near the Fort Lewis. They had a 1968 vintage (ser# S293xxx) highway patrolman, with an emphasis on HAD. It now has a new home - mine!
Took it to the range yesterday. At 20 feet it is much more accurate than any of my auto pistols when fired single action, and its pretty good in double action too.
Took it to the range yesterday. At 20 feet it is much more accurate than any of my auto pistols when fired single action, and its pretty good in double action too.
Another 4"
Just picked up another H.P. from a Forest Service Ranger .It has some use wear but is mechanically tight . It was his service arm, He is now retired .
Any help on the date S/N N85330 will post pictures later with the other members of the family.
Just picked up another H.P. from a Forest Service Ranger .It has some use wear but is mechanically tight . It was his service arm, He is now retired .
Any help on the date S/N N85330 will post pictures later with the other members of the family.
Last edited:
Boogsawaste
Member
How about one of the first "N" prefixes? N12 for this old patrolman. Yeah I need to get some correct magnas for it. Money's tight this time of year so it'll have to wait but it'll look much better then!
NICE, not even a turn line.
Similar threads
- Locked
