San Francisco Police Department Smith & Wesson Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman .357 Mag 4" Revolver
Our Assessment: The Model 28, also known as the Highway Patrolman, traces its heritage back to the Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum. The Registered Magnum morphed into the Model 27. The Model 28 is unusual in that Smith & Wesson removed, rather than added, features to the Model 27 to create it, in order to reduce production costs with no reduction in utility. A classic N frame revolver, the Highway Patrolman is blued, but it is not polished, saving labor costs. The top strap and frame rounds are bead blasted to achieve a matte appearance. In the late 1940s and the first part of the 1950s Smith & Wesson was the only American gun company manufacturing a .357 magnum revolver. Since this relatively deluxe model was the only revolver available for this cartridge at the time, police departments, as well as individual officers and private shooters, requested from Smith & Wesson a more strictly utilitarian "budget" .357 magnum revolver. S&W responded with the Highway Patrolman (later renamed the Model 28 in 1957). The manufacturing changes made for a more affordable revolver, though mechanically the Highway Patrolman is the same as the more ornate Model 27. The Model 28 was in production from 1954 through 1986. For most of its production run, it was a steady seller with both police officers and civilian shooters. This 4" example has San Francisco Police Department markings and was produced between 1969 and 1972. The revolver is in Very Good condition, showing wear consistent with its service but retaining a good bore and strong mechanics.
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 28-2, Highway Patrolman
Serial Number: N25411
Year of Manufacture: 1969-1972
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Single/Double Action Revolve with Swing-Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade integral to a solid rib. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base screwed to the topstrap.
Grip Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood. The grips have a couple of little cracks and some losses on the back. There are a few dings in the wood and scrapes that have removed portions of the surface wood. The checkering shows handling wear. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is a little very minor erosion in the bore at the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are areas of thinning and finish loss. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are some spots of minor oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
CA LEGALITY: C&R: YES, CA PPT: YES.
HANDGUNSPISTOLS