S&w Highway Patrolman

[rockbilly]

Another nice looking gun.

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8159099

[Hammerdown]

$465 sounds a bit high for a 28 in 1969? Was that a pre 28?

Hello S.B.
Here is an early Five screw for ya. This is a pre-28 S-Series revolver with matching serial numbered grips I just Picked up today. I swapped for it but had $250.00 in the revolver I swapped for it. I have been scouring the Internet and all over for a Pre-28 and they are either Well worn and rode hot, or just not around any more. I was glad to get this one with Minimal wear and will Not be selling it or swapping it off.They Came out with this model in 1954 and by 1957 it was in a  three screw configuration and in 1957 they stamped Model 28 in them and switched to the Newer-N-series. I figure this is one of the very first years of production and am awaiting the shipping date to confirm it. Regards, Hammerdown

[S.B.]

Damn, your hot right now Hammer.

[Dee]

I am looking at one model 28-? S&W patrolman and the gun has the following observations from my part:

1.  Asking price was $400
That's high for a FIELD GRADE revolver.
2.  The cylinder has the dragging mark of the cocking rotation and some minor blue wear at the tips of the cylinder in the front side.
Those drag marks as you call them on the cylinder, are actually made by the cylinder stop, and it is normal.
3.  The bbl does not have any marks other than the blue is more like a dark chocolate color while the frame looks dark black.
The dark chocolate color on the barrel sounds more like oiled down rust.
4.  The hammer has some discoloration that looks like case-hardened.
The hammer AND trigger should look the same. They are BOTH color case-hardened.
5.  The cylinder is tight when the hammer has been down with the trigger pulled and it seems welded to the frame.
This is a good sign, as the cylinder does not lock up completely until the hammer is FULLY DOWN with the trigger all the way back.
6.  The trigger pull is a dream (like most of the S&W's I've seen)
This can be good, BUT! It can also be from a trigger job, and not necessarily the good kind. Check the trigger RETURN SPRING, "AND" THE STRAIN SCREW, as it can be BACKED OUT, or even SHORTENED. It's an old trick on Smiths.
7.  There is a screw in the grooved lines of the metal part of the grip in the inside where you wrap your fingers to hold the gun.  Is this a normal screw or could this had been modified by the previous owner?
THIS IS THE STRAIN SCREW. It adjusts the tension on the flat main hammer spring.
8.  The rear sight seems like a 1/16" past forward the frame but otherwise not bad.
That sounds normal.
9.  The wood grip seems new and like it has not been handled or shot more than a few rounds in its gun life.
Not an indicator. The wood grips on the Model 28 Highway Patrolman were plain jane.
10.  Over all, the gun looks great and in very good conditions.
Outside discolorations ect. are usually NOT an indicator of how much the revolver was shot. This is usually determined with CYLINDER PLAY, TIMEING, and LOCKUP.
When pulling the trigger double action (check and see if it's loaded first) hold the revolver close to your ear and listen to see if the cylinder stop locks into the cylinder just before the hammer sear drops the hammer.

These old Smiths while not pretty, but are, as a general rule, pretty darn accurate, due to their weight, and good sights. I once won a fight with one shooting 125 grain jacketed hollow points. The weight lends to quick shot recovery from recoil, but carrying one all day in a holster, day in and day out, gets tiresomely old. I don't want mine back, even though in 1977, it saved my bacon. A Model 19 or Modell 66 in four inch. Well, now that would be a different story. It doesn't get much better than that. Speed, and reasonable weight.JMOOC

Questions:

Can the bbl be slightly a different color than the frame? Or do you think this gun had been reconditioned and placed a new or different color matching bbl?

The vendor was asking for more money but he agreed to go for $400.

Is this a good price or am I paying too much for it?

Thank you.

Camba

[Hammerdown]

Damn, your hot right now Hammer.

Hello S.B.
I could not believe it was at a show, as you know yourself most  of the Early Five screw models are stashed in collectors Safes and never see the Light of Day. It will be Interesting seeing just when it shipped as they Only had this Model in a  five screw configuration for a few years and I surmise this one may be first year and am hoping it is.. Hammerdown

[S.B.]

Very nice find, Kurt!

[Hammerdown]

Very nice find, Kurt!

Hello S.B.
I just learned this Pre-28 shipped in June of 1954. That is just two short months after it's Introduction in April 1954. I was pleased to find it and this is the first one I have found that close to a release of a new model. Regards, Hammerdown

[S.B.]

Cool, congrats.