I was offered a 4" Highway Patrolman recently , shooter grade , no unusual wear or dings original magna stocks. I have no previous experience with the N frame.

Input as to value would be appreciated.

"Shooter grade" is not enough information to estimate value.

The Blue Book of Gun Values % grading system very subjective but better than nothing. Pictures are best.

Shooter grade 28s run $350 to $700 depending on who's calling it shooter grade.

I gave $500 for a 28-2 that I would rate at 90-92%. Distinct turn line, holster wear on high points, end of barrel, front of cylinder. Herrett stocks. Tight lock up, excellent trigger. Reportedly a Wyoming Deputy Sheriff service revolver.

Here is an image , not a great one.

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I'd call that NRA excellent condition or a little better than 95%. However, 6" Model 28s sell for less than 4" Model 28s. $550 to $600?

About 2 years ago, I paid $525, if I remember right, for the 4 inch 28-2, "S" serial numbered, original grip gun pictured. Sounds about the same condition as the one you are looking at. Great guns, these N frame 357's.


NOTE- Just seen the pic of the gun in question - Is that a 5 inch barrel?

Larry

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Fishingfool got a very good deal.

The tape measure is a bit offset in the image. Are we thinking that I am looking at a 6" barrel?

that's a 6" gun not a 4" (measure muzzle to front of cylinder not to the frame)........ nice shooter ..... $500-550....in my market .

While the tape measure appears to measure it about 5" I believe that is only the tape being closer to the camera lens. The revolver looks like a standard 6"

If you want a low recoil 6 shot .357 for target shooting there are none significantly better.

My 6" with holster wear and Pachmayr grips, but very good functionality cost $550 two years ago.

Maybe I over paid, but it sure is a nice shooter with sweet trigger.

The bluing on the barrel and cylinder do not appear to match that on the frame. It looks like someone modified it to a 5" barrel. I would be suspicious and check all numbers to see that they match.

It would be a helluva shooter, though, for the right price.

Pre-28? 28 no dash? 28-1? 28-2? 28-3?

"S" or "N" serial number? Diamond or non-diamond stocks? With or without box, documents, tool kit?

Need more information to give ballpark value..

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'Merica!

Congrats on finding one. Looks way better than shooter grade to me too. Like others said I'd want to verify the barrel length and confirm that it's not been customized or refinished in any way.

Around these parts, assuming it's a 95% gun, you'd have $550 in it plus sales tax, etc.

The difference in the color of the bluing between the frame and the darker cylinder and barrel is not sufficient to suspect any parts change or a reblue. It's a 28, not a 27. Model 28s got an inexpensive satin finish and vary a lot from gun to gun. The top, bottom, front and back of their frame including the whole trigger guard were given a bead blasted appearance.

About 10 years ago an older member here asked how could a Model 28 be worth $500? My answer was pretend you are a youngster shopping for your first .357 double action target revolver on a $500 budget and report back on any better target revolvers that you find for the price. He had to concede there weren't any. That was 10 years ago!

While I bought my first Model 28, a new 4 incher, for $250 out the door, that was 37 years ago! I bought a new compact Toyota the same year for $5500, also out the door. What's a new Toyota cost today?

28-2. As to stocks , see image in post #4 above. No box , docs or tools ; I would have stated that upfront.

The seller is 2,400 miles away ; I have no control over the clarity of the images.

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$500 minimum here, more likely $550 to 600. The days of buying any functional N frame for less than $500 are long gone.

I'm suspicious about the barrel length, based on that picture. Ask the seller to carefully measure the barrel (from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle). If it's been cut to 5" or some other non-factory length it could still be a great shooter but that would affect the price to a greater or lesser extent.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Clearly that is a 5" barrel. You can see that the tape measure is sitting on the cushion just like the revolver is. Since the markings seem to be well centered, I tried resizing the picture to determine just what the markings are. It looks like the usual HP / M28 markings, but with the left side partially polished out(?)

At any rate, I would be interested if it is mechanically excellent and the price is under $700. Yeah, I know it's not a factory original 5", but I'll bet it shoots like one!

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You're shy a few manners.

I asked the owner to carefully measure the barrel from muzzle to forcing cone. He reported "5 7/8" , to be exact".

What do we have here?

I'd say it's a 6" barrel, even though not measured precisely as such. It's not uncommon to find standard barrel lengths off by up to an eight of an inch or so either way. There are threads elsewhere on the forum where this is discussed.

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SWHF #448

I have noticed that many HP end up having plum colored parts as they age. Cylinders especially. Don't think they were prepped and blued like most of the higher end guns of that era

Mine was a a Washington State Patrol issue 95 % or so. I sold it to my nephew as a keeper for him. $450 made him a deal. It is the most accurate 357 I've shot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You cant touch a "nice" 28-2 in either barrel length for under $750.00 in Wisconsin.

The very worn and cosmetically damaged ones that can still shoot are $550.00!

I have to move

We settled at $550. BTW , I am also in Wisconsin. Item is coming from California.

You did well.

I paid $420 for one in pretty much the same shape with a slightly damaged set of factory target stocks...

Confirms my theory.................. local markets and member's luck...... may and often does............... vary widely!

The $550 Highway Patrolman has landed.

Pros : Mechanically excellent - Colt-like lock up. Tightest lock up I have experienced in a Smith. Bore is perfect. Case hardening colors are vibrant. Trigger is Smith good. Cylinder/forcing cone gap seems very good : I can just get the .007 gauge in there, seems more like .006. End shake is virtually non-existant. Appears to me that the gun was not perfectly stored over the years , but there is little to no evidence of much of a round count.

Cons : Minute pitting of blued areas - revolver has been in northern California all of it's years ; very damp winters. Wear line on hammer where it makes contact with frame when fully forward. Any comments on that? The Magna grips are not in proportion to the large frame , IMO. Target grips are in order.

Bottom line : pros greatly outweigh the cons , and I am very pleased with the acquisition. Had a brief range session today in light rain , and that went real well. See the image of 2 ragged holes accounting for 10 rounds put through an old washing machine lid from the modest distance of 10 yards.

As an aside - the "Highway Patrolman" inscription on the barrel is pretty cool ; not many Smith models have such identity

Thanks for input ; enjoy the images.

'Ski

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You got your money's worth with that one. Good buy, IMO.

It looks like it is worth every penny of $550.

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You're shy a few manners.

I paid $695 for a m28 no dash a few years ago in 99.99% condition, while a lesser condition I'd say 98% was $695 for a m28-2 also.

I have a 4" 28-2 in transit to me now, bought on another forum.I'd call it a "high" shooter grade gun (a little high point wear), Pach grips (seller is looking for the originals but said "don't hold your breath"). I paid $525 shipped and felt it was a decent deal, even if I have to pony up for a pair of magnas to go on it.

6GUNS , Pretty good price for a 4".

I may be able to help you if you wish to replace the Goodyears with magnas. Let me know.

Also , I will look forward to seeing your HP once you have it. 'Ski

Thanks, I will definitely be replacing the Pachs with something S&W made. I will post some pics, too.

You will certainly enjoy your 28! My 28 no dash, S-serial #, S2011xx. (1960) 1st G.B. purchase. Added period correct diamond targets to it. My Dad bought them in the 60's. Bob

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Very nice , Bob. Especially the grips.

Anyone game to date my H.P. based on a serial# of
N570899?
Thanks in advance , 'Ski.

Picked up the 28-2 today. Didn't make any before pics with the supplied Pachs in place, but here's a couple after the cleanup, and surprise! I found a set of diamond magnas I'd forgotten I had - or thought they were Ks till I got them out and tried them. I know this HP didn't come with diamonds, but it beats the heck outa Goodyears. I'm pretty pleased for $525 and a $15 transfer fee.

Mine is 597xxx and it looks like that's in the '78-'80 range, probably in the first half of that range, my guess (and only that).

I get 1979.

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You're shy a few manners.

'79 it is , Thanks guys.

$550.00 to $600.00 around these parts, 4" will be $700.00 if you can find one.

I paid $650 for mine last year. It is a 1962 "S" prefix. Love it.



Here it is with its original stocks.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

To "NoDipNoMore" ---

I tried to respond to your P.M. , but your account will not accept messages ... Send contact info if you wish. CK

I tried sending you a email...not sure if it went through.
This is my email [email protected]

if you received my email it contained my work address.

thanks

MG