Smith Model 28 Highway Patrolman Value?

[xd45gaper]

there is a gun show coming up this weekend and last time i saw a couple Smith & Wesson Model 28 (i beleve) Highway Patrolman Revolvers in .357. i really liked the looks of them but knew nothing about them at the time, i think one guy wanted 400 and the other guy wanted 450+ IIRC

my question is i would like to pick one up if avaialbe at next gun show any one know what they are worth in good-very good condition?

 

[TnShooter83]

Sounds Fair.
As with many "personal" firearm the older the more valuable it will get.

 

[GP100man]

28

xd
i had access to a 28 NIB i did notice that it was a pinned revolver:
box ,receipt,S&W cleaning kit & revolver $1,000!!!

GP100man

 

[tasco 74]

i have seen used s&w model 28s lately at different places going any where from $450 to $600.. glad i got my model 27 when i did.. i've got $250 in it and that's used but in very good shape in the box with cleaning rod and some original papers.. it's a 1968 vintage model 27-2 pinned barrel revolver..

 

[xd45gaper]

i dont know much about the older smiths, but what does "Pinned" mean?

 

[harmonic]

but what does "Pinned" mean?

It's a "pin" through the frame and barrel supposedly to keep the barrel from unscrewing. It was a selling point way back when for Smith because no other gun maker "pinned" their barrels.

Then Smith eliminated the pinning, along with recessing magnum caliber cylinders, cause it really didn't make any difference.

What does make a difference, though, is that many of the guns made during the "pinned and recessed" era are crafted with better craftsmanship. Many collectors, myself included, view these as premium guns.

 

[xd45gaper]

hmmm good info there, would you happen to know when they stopped "pinning" them.

 

[harmonic]

Mostly 1982.

 

[xd45gaper]

IIRC i think one of them i looked at was either a 1983 or 1985? i know it was early to mid 80's. or the year they stopped making from what i remeber the guy saying.

im defently going to keep my eye out for one at the next gun show. I was told by an older gentleman at the gun range ( he was in his 80's and could out shoot me one handed LOL) that the older smiths where the best and could be had for fairly cheap, but every time i look for them i can never find one and when i found those M28's i wanted to pick one up but its hard to buy a gun at a gunshow with out knowing a little about the value of them cause most people raise prices 30-40% lol

 

[elrod]

"Blue Book of Gun Values", 28 th ed., Fjestad

Model 28 Highway Patrolman 1957-1986 mfg.

100%- $450
98%- $400
95%- $350
90%- $300
80%- $275

Also gives values for 1954-1957 mfg., which are from $400-$175 higher, depending on condition.

I have had one of these, was really good shooter. (Don't really remember why I sold it)

 

[Starter52]

You will never lose money buying a Model 28 for $400. The price of N-frame S&Ws is going nowhere but up.

 

[XavierBreath]

Pinned & Recessed (P&R) explanation On the Model 28, P&R guns stopped in 1982 with the Model 28-3. While the P&R guns are not necessarily more expensive at present, they are more desirable among shooters and collectors.

Just a couple of years ago, most folks could find a Model 28 Highway Patrolman for $250-300 anywhere in the US. They were plentiful, a utilitarian gun, and not particularly sought after. That has now changed. Any P&R N frame Smith is a sought after gun.

I bought my first Model 28-2 in December, 2005, for $239, and my second Highway Patrolman in December, 2006, again for $239. The chances of finding a Model 28-2 for under $350-400 in December 2007 .........Well I don't look for it to happen. A $400 price for an unboxed excellent/very good gun at a gunshow should be considered fair. SCS&W lists the Model 28 at $475 ANIB, $375 Excellent, $285 Very Good, $225 Good, and on down. Eventhough The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson is the S&W collector's Bible, and these numbers are from the 3rd edition published last year, I believe the prices to be out of date now. N frames have gone up that quickly.



I'm going to move your thread to Revolvers so you will get more data in the form of responses.

 

[Feanaro]

I paid $450 for mine and didn't feel bad about it at all. It did come with the box and featured an S-serial number. See my sig for words of wisdom from another forum goer.

 

[Ala Dan]

Used but not abused Smith N-frames for $400 is a barg'in-jump on it~!

 

[wnycollector]

I picked up my 28-2 for $272 otd in july. I think prices and HIGHLY variable throughout the country. I live in Western New York, here its not hard to find Very goo-excellent Model 10's between $150-200! I think thats the price we pay for our draconian gun laws lower demand=lower prices!

 

[Iggy]

You couldn't touch a Mdl 28 for less than $400 here.

 

[wnycollector]

I went to the range this am and when I got back I found out that I was out of gunscrubber...so I had to drag myself to the local Gander Mountain I know this thread is about S&W N frame prices but, I found a like new SS ruger GP100 for $295. I'm starting to think revolvers and WAY undervalued in my neck of the woods. Hmmmm maybe I will find that 3 1/2" model 27 for a fair price after all!!!

 

[Will5A1]

My experience has been the same as some of the above posters in that run or the mill, 75% finish M28's are listed at $400 or so at the shows I've been at recently; two years ago these same guns were priced at $250. At a recent show there was a guy walking around with a nice 4" 28-2, had a turn ring but no holster wear, no box or papers, he wanted $425 and wouldn't budge from that price. I should of bought it.

 

[jfh]

wnycollector: I suppose you wouldn't like to know I paid $275 for a new GP-100 in 1987.

I sold it in 2000, LNIB with extra grips and speedloaders, for $295.00

Jim H.

 

[wnycollector]

jfh...nah it dosent bother me at all...I passed on the gp100 today. I keepin my powder dry for a SS 2 3/4" ruger service six

 

[Navy joe]

I went to the gun shoppe last week to shoot the breeze, no more new guns for me, no money, etc. Left with a made in 1969 P&R 28-2 6" barrel Highway Patrolman. Tax, fees, and a box of ammo out the door for $458. Some light rust on the trigger guard from sitting un-oiled, the rest of the gun looks unfired. Tight, light drag mark, no build-up in the charge holes, still see the reamed step-down in them, no crud of any kind on the cylinder face or forcing cone. If it was shot it was cleaned by a really anal person. I think I'm in love.

 

[DaleCooper51]

I just sold an as new in box 28-2 from around 1970 for $515 shipped.

 

[NG VI]

why is the price higher for the 1954-1957 model 28s?

 

[XavierBreath]

why is the price higher for the 1954-1957 model 28s?

These are actually "Pre-Model 28s". They are also five of four screw revolvers.

 

[mossy141701]

sure wish I could find on for that !