Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: The Highway Patrolman, Pre-Model 28, Square Butt N-Frame
Serial Number: S122461
Year of Manufacture: 1954-1955 / C&R
Caliber: .357 Magnum & .38 Special
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Hand Ejector Revolver
Barrel Length: 6", Pinned
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp blade that is integral to a serrated, ramped base pinned to the solid rib. 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 Magna stocks with S&W medallions. The number inside of the right grip does not match the frame. The checkering is well defined with light peak wear, primarily on the left side. There is a chip at the bottom front of the left grip. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good 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. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The cylinder has a thin, faint turn-line, mostly not through the finish. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks and thinning on the leading edges including the muzzle. There is light oxidation around the front sight base at the rib. The screw heads range from sharp to very lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with very little play on each chamber. The double action trigger is smooth, 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.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver come with a John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity.
Our Assessment: The Highway Patrolman, later known as the Model 28, 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 rather than finely checkered. 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 Highway Patrolman 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 example is in Excellent condition showing little sign of wear with a great bore and mechanics. While this revolver would still make for a great shooter, in its high condition it will certainly interest the Smith & Wesson collectors.
