S&W Highway Patrolman

K

k5blazer

New member
Just picked up a Highway Patrolman at a gunshow today. It is in really great condition. It has a serial no. on the bottom of the grip, S 12XXXX. This number is also on the the cylinder. When I swing out the cylinder there is a different number. There also is what looks like a # symbol above the other number. I do not see a model number anywhere. The person I bought it from thinks it was made in 1950.

A friend showed me his model 28 which has the same serial no. on the grip and when you swing out the cylinder. It also has a model number on it. Why would my gun have different numbers?

Is there any way to date my Highway Patrolman from the serial no.? Where can I get more information on the Highway Patrolman?
 
Your gun was made sometime in late 1954 or 1955, or before S&W assigned model numbers to the revolvers in its line up. Your gun is VERY early in the production run.

Your friend's gun was made after model numbering was adopted in 1957.

The number stamped in the cylinder crane cutout of your gun is an assembly number, used on the shop floor, and has nothing to do with the serial number.

Two books have about all the information on the Highway Patrolman that you're going to find:

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Rick Nahaus and Jim Supica

History of Smith & Wesson by Roy Jinks.
 
Thanks for the info Mr. Irwin. It is a real nice shooter. Went straight from the gunshow to pop off a few rounds.

Again, thanks.

K5
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top