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

[MDB1056]

New Excellent Condition HP 28-2 Owner

Just today picked up a gorgeous 28-2 (N262XXX). Grips are a little dark but there's barely a mark on this gun anywhere. Private owner distress sale for $450. No box or papers. I'm still new to the older Smith revolver world but have quickly learned to love them. Barely a turn ring on this and timing and lockup are perfect and super tight. Smith CS says 1976 is closest they can ID but this thread info up front ID's as 1974. I'm curious why this one has larger square but target grips with speedloader cut out but other 28-2's I see have smaller almost K frame looking round grips. OK on second look they're square butt but they look smaller than the targets and they don't have the cut out. We're they mfg'd at the same time or did they change the grip styles per year? This gun will be used and be in good company with a pair of early 586's, model 10-10, a pre model snub (very cool piece), and a few others. Somehow I'm up to 7 revolvers now - which I still see as a very reasonable number (under 50). This one is a keeper

 

[Jack71]

Great thread!

Whew! I finally finished reading this thread - all 40 pages! I've learned a lot about these wonderful revolvers. My thanks to everyone who posted here, it's been a great education.

I've recently acquired two Model 28s: a 6", serial# S226xxx from 1962 and a 4", serial#N38xxx from about 1971. Both are in good shape, and I'm blown away with how well they perform at the range. I've got quite a collection of handguns: 1911s, Glocks, Sigs, a CZ and a Browning High Power, but I can't shoot any of them as well as these Model 28s.

I'll post pics later of my two 28s, not that they are anything better than what can be seen here.

 

[les.b]

Whew! I finally finished reading this thread - all 40 pages! I've learned a lot about these wonderful revolvers. My thanks to everyone who posted here, it's been a great education.

I've recently acquired two Model 28s: a 6", serial# S226xxx from 1962 and a 4", serial#N38xxx from about 1971. Both are in good shape, and I'm blown away with how well they perform at the range. I've got quite a collection of handguns: 1911s, Glocks, Sigs, a CZ and a Browning High Power, but I can't shoot any of them as well as these Model 28s.

I'll post pics later of my two 28s, not that they are anything better than what can be seen here.

Jack:

Welcome to the forum!! As you have just noted, this is the graduate school for Smith lovers and enthusiasts!!! We all share and learn from one another, and there are real experts (not me) here who are willing to help those with new interests, or problems, or who just want to learn more about their particular gun.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Jack71]

Here's my 4" 28-2, serial# N38xxx. Probably made about 1971.

Pics of my 6" version will follow.

 

[7539]

New Trade 1954 Model

Just picked this one up in a trade. Serial S115xxx which should be a late 1954 model. Has been hard chromed sometime in the past 62 years. Nice little gun, locks up pretty tight. Marked "S" on the cylinder. Non-original grips...wish I had the originals!

 

[A10]

I picked up this nice five screw "Highway Patrolman" at a recent gun show. serial number dates it in 1955. It's been autographed by Mr. P.J. Anderson, but otherwise it's been used but not abused. I've been looking for a four-inch shooter and I found it. I got it from fellow board member A10 (thanks Ron). Here are a couple of pics.

De Oppresso Liber

I'm glad you're liking it Tony. Them there named models are rare!

EDIT: Hadn't we actually decided it had belonged to Pope John Anderson???

 

[weatherby]

4 MOD 28 4 screw S# range S1926** to S205*** 4 4" 2 6"

Alan I don't know if you want to add this one.
It is a 6" 4 screw model marked 28 at serial 188860

 

[tarheelbball]

Hard chromed 28-2. Why?? I don't know why but it's a great shooter. 6" N28XXXX Probably try to find some nice wood and watched a couple videos on how to repair the red insert.

 

[beardeddog]

Any ideas on this one with the red ramp front and the white outline rear sites? Not a NYSP version. Pinned barrel PRE 1982 Serial 546xxx from around 1978. It was a former duty weapon

 

[sprscientist]

I finally got one. N550XXX. Wearing Herrett walnut grips. Have a six incher on the way too.

 

[Texasgordo]

28-2 #S323××× that I bought from my brother. He got it from his wife's grandpa and it was nearly rusted shut. The finish and grips are rough but I like the gun anyways. It's probably the most accurate revolver I've ever shot.

 

[S.B.]

I, recently, traded for a four inch, blue 28-2, serial numbered N160974. It had some red material on front sight ramp that I managed to remove and a chip out of right grip that I filled but, is in pretty good shape now.

Steve

 

[Texasgordo]

What is that between the trigger guard and grips?

I have seen it before on other Smiths and am curious about it's purpose.

 

[S.B.]

Period correct Tyler TGrip or as close as I had in my wood box, it improves grip on handgun without adding bulk or length to grip.
Steve

 

[glass3222]

I am looking at a Model 28-2 that I found on locally.

It is described as:

Smith & Wesson model 28-2 .357 magnum 6" barrel for sale. Pinned and recessed.Target grips and the smaller original grips included. Locks up tight and is a good shooter $575

I contacted the seller and he says he will send pictures, the one in the add is not very clear. He says it is in good condition with little a blueing loss around the muzzle. Functions and shoots fine.

I am hoping to look at it tomorrow. Is $575 a fair price as described? My initial thought is to offer closer to $500.

This will be a shooter as my dad's 6" model 27-2 is in LNIB condition and only gets shot occasionally. the 27-2 shoots so well, but I worry about keeping it in the condition that it is in.

 

[Texasgordo]

I'm no expert but anywhere between $500-$575 is fair with 2 sets of grips. If it's in good condition and you like it go for it.

 

[CA Escapee]

Here are my 28's. A 4" 28 dash nothing, S182XXX, and a rough 4" 28-2, NYSP, N545XXX.

 

[Jimmyjones]

Picked up 28-2 as a shooter to go with my no dash safe queen. Only N frame I own with numbered stocks, and I'll probably slap goodyears on it.

N1017xx

 

[Redeker]

My shooter 28, in the late model -3. Wanted a "highway patrolman" since I started accumulating S&W revolvers. One landed in my lap this year. Got a set of magna's from a forum member, threw an extra Tyler T on it...... I like seeing the rounds in the non recessed cylinder.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[rolandbr]

Found a mod 28 4 screw 4" ser no 2026XX with cokes on is that possible, dont know how to post pics but can email some to somone to post.

 

[BC38]

I'm looking at buying a Highway Patrolman.

Anybody got one close to the N284xxx serial number?
The serial number ranges in the first post indicate N200000 serial numbers shipping in 1974-77, and the N300000 SN range starting to be shipped in 1975. So what does that mean for one in the N284xxx range? Most likely in the 1975-77 time frame?

It has target stocks on it, but I'm also wondering what the period correct magna stocks for a 74-77 N-frame look like...

 

[BC38]

I have a 1973 N-prefix almost identical to your nice Model 28-2 with Magna stocks:

Cool, what is the S/N on yours?

 

[BC38]

What do you guys think, does this look like it would be worth around $450 OTD? It's biggest flaws are that the target stocks are a little dinged up, and the rear sight leaf is broken. Light turn line, no other significant handling marks, pristine bore, mechanicals all spot on...

 

[19leben]

What do you guys think, does this look like it would be worth around $450 OTD? It's biggest flaws are that the target stocks are a little dinged up, and the rear sight leaf is broken. Light turn line, no other significant handling marks, pristine bore, mechanicals all spot on...

This is just me, but yes I'd go $450 OTD on this one. Sight blade is easy to replace, and the grips are fine for shooting.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[BC38]

Yeah, I think I'll get it. Numrich has the sight blade for $12, and I think a quick acetone strip and tung oil or boiled linseed oil refinish ought to fix the finish on the grips.

I seriously doubt that I'm ever going to find a nicer one for $420 + tax.

I'll post some better photos once I get it and clean it up....

 

[Texasgordo]

Nice find BC38 and a great price.

 

[Wise_A]

Not bad, I'd go for it. I've been thinking about adding a Highway Patrolman to The List. I've decided I've got a certain affinity for LEO specials.

 

[BC38]

Not bad, I'd go for it. I've been thinking about adding a Highway Patrolman to The List. I've decided I've got a certain affinity for LEO specials.

Yeah, I've read so many threads by the folks around here raving about how great they are, that I finally decided I had to try one and see for myself. Having seen them in a lot worse shape for $100 more I figured I can't get hurt on it.

At something like 44 ounces they always seemed like a heck of a lot of iron for slinging 6 rounds of .357 lead. Especially since a K-snubby will do it for roughly half the weight.

I figured that if I try it and don't like it I've got nothing to lose - I can always sell it (yeah, riiiiiight, like that's really gonna' happen)....

 

[les.b]

BC38:

I felt the same way, until I had a chance to get one for a reasonable price. I really like mine, and you're right, it is heavy for what it does, but on the other hand, all that mass means you can shoot full power 357s all day without much fatigue, because the weight tames the recoil. And there is just something cool about them. All of my law enforcement career, before we went to semis, I carried a K frame 357, and I'm glad I did. An officer carries a lot of stuff besides the gun, so the weight savings is appreciated. But for just shooting, the big N frame is a real pleasure!! I don't think you'll regret buying it!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[gmborkovic]

Well we have hit 2000 posts and not one was a 28-1. If they are out there, they are hiding deep, somewhere. Lastly, a big thank you to Allen for starting this thread. Best