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Partnership with Horace Smith & Daniel B. Wesson was from 1856–1874. Family owned by the Wesson Family from 1874–1965. Smith & Wesson became a subsidiary of Bangor-Punta from 1965–1983. Between 1983–1987, Smith & Wesson was owned by the Lear Siegler Co. On May 22, 1987, it was sold to R.L.Tomkins, a British holding company. Smith & Wesson Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman.357 Mag. The Model 28 from Smith & Wesson is an N-frame revolver chambered in.357 Mag. Popular with police forces, it is a scaled-down version of the model 27, where more expensive features were removed without reducing utility as a duty weapon. Serial # N248xxx points to manufacture between 1975-77.

The Smith & Wesson (S&W) Model 28, also known as the Highway Patrolman, is an N-frame revolver chambered for the .357 Magnumcartridge, in production from 1954 to 1986. It is a budget version of the S&W Model 27.

Development[edit]

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 .357 Magnum (first production model completed April 8, 1935).^[2] The .357 Magnum was temporarily discontinued in December 1941 when S&W turned their focus to wartime production, but was reintroduced in December 1948 with the new series beginning at serial number S72000. The new .357 Magnum had been modernized to incorporate the rebound slide operated hammer block and the new short throw hammer. It was redesignated the Model 27 in 1957.^[3] Law enforcement agencies favored the Model 27, but its high-polish finish and labor-intensive topstrap checkering added expense with no added utility for a police carry gun.

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 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.

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.

Other users[edit]

• Italy: Used by the Gruppo di Intervento Speciale.^[4]
• Norway: Used by the Norwegian Police Service (Norwegian: Politi- og lensmannsetaten) in some municipalities.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^Supica and Nahas (2006). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. 3rd Edition.
2. ^Jinks, Roy J. (1977). The History of Smith and Wesson. Beinfeld. p. 214. ISBN0917714148.
3. ^Jinks. The History of Smith & Wesson. p. 215.
4. ^'Gruppo Intervento Speciale (GIS) - Special Intervention Group'. Archived from the original on 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2012-03-07.

SOLD FOR: $1050

LSB#: 210304CP02

Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: 28-2 ‘The Highway Patrolman’

Smith And Wesson Highway Patrolman 357 Serial Number Lookup Us

Serial Number: S285903

Year of Manufacture: 1966-1967

Caliber: .357 Magnum & .38 Special

Action Type: 6-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Hand Ejector Revolver

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”, the right is marked “.357 / CTG.”, “HIGHWAY / PATROLMAN”, the side plate is marked with the S&W trademark monogram, the right side of the frame has the four-line Marcas Registradas. The butt is marked with the serial number. The yoke cut is marked with the serial and model numbers. The crane and sides of the grip frame have inspection marks.

Barrel Length: Nominal 6”, Pinned. Actual Length 5 ¾”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade set on the solid rib; the rise in the rib is serrated for glare reduction. The rear sight is a flat top, square notched leaf in a base that is micrometer-click adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut target stocks with S&W medallions at their tops, diamonds around the screw escutcheons, and a football cut. The grips just behind the trigger guard have had material removed to match the contour of the trigger guard. There are a few light spots of thinning and a few small spots of finish loss. The top of the right panel is slightly proud to the frame. The checkering is strong. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The right side of the front sight riser has a small mark through the finis. The cylinder has a faint turn line. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder has almost no play on each of the six chambers with the trigger depressed. The double-action is smooth and the single action is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Smith And Wesson Highway Patrolman 357 Serial Number Lookup For Equipment

Smith And Wesson Highway Patrolman 357 Serial Number Lookup Chart

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a serial matching blue box with metal reinforced corners. The box has numerous tears and has numerous patches of surface material loss, in about Good condition.

Highway Patrolman 357

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 6″ example is in about Excellent condition and would make a great shooter or addition to a Smith & Wesson collection. Please see our photos and good luck!