Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman No Dash .357 Mag Revolver, 6-inch, Blued (1959)
This Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman is a no-dash revolver documented by a factory letter as shipping on March 30, 1959 with a 6-inch barrel and brush blue finish. It is a full-size, 6-shot DA/SA .357 Mag revolver with classic Model 28 service-style details, including a matte topstrap/barrel rib and an adjustable square-notch rear sight paired with a fixed ramp front sight. Target grips were added after it originally shipped, as noted in the factory letter.
Condition
Overall Condition: Excellent condition, showing only faint signs of any prior use or handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The revolver shows light signs of wear and handling, with some surface scratches.
What’s Included
- Original box
- Smith & Wesson factory letter (historical letter for the revolver)
Marked as a Model 28 Highway Patrolman, this revolver features period-correct rollmarks including ".357 S&W HIGHWAY / CTG. PATROLMAN" on the barrel and "SMITH & WESSON" on the left side. The left frame is marked "MADE IN U.S.A. / MARCAS REGISTRADAS / SMITH & WESSON / SPRINGFIELD, MASS." The yoke/crane cut is stamped with "S188901" over "MOD-28" (no dash), matching the factory-lettered serial reference.
Functionally, it is built around a DA/SA action with an exposed spur hammer and a smooth-faced trigger (as shown in the photos). The cylinder release latch is checkered/knurled, and the revolver uses a fluted 6-shot swing-out cylinder.
Sighting equipment is a straightforward iron-sight setup: a fixed ramp-style front sight and an adjustable square-notch rear sight. The finish is blued (brush blue), with a matte, non-high-polish appearance on the topstrap/barrel rib consistent with the Model 28 service finish.
For buyers focused on originality and documentation, the included factory letter ties this specific revolver to its 1959 shipment configuration (6-inch barrel and brush blue finish) and notes the later addition of target grips. It currently wears checkered wooden target-style grips with S&W round medallions.