28-2 w/case $710.

[Model29-26.5]

$831 with GB fees and shipping.
Good deal? Seems to be.
Prices are all over the place but the case and the grips are worth 400 I figure?
Of course it’s not all about value. Very cool piece.
Just a moment...

I also picked up this case for a 28-2 6” HPman that is in my future. Nice little presentation for it:

vtg.Smith & Wesson wood presentation gun box | eBay

 

[Hair Trigger]

Looks nice enough, but the stocks aren't original (unless a special order) as the standard stocks for M28's were walnut magnas. The rear sight is definitely not original, it is ribbed and the factory M28 had a smooth rear sight along with the top strap and the barrel rib. There's some issue with the top strap, it looks peened and sort of rough. I'd be suspicious of a refinish, the roll stamp on the barrel's right isn't as crisp as it should be and the overall finish looks too shiny. The trigger guard is almost a matte finish from the factory. SN puts this gun somewhere between 1969-1972. Here's one from 1973, compare your roll stamp and the rear sight to yours.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Yes, I did see it had a bit more of a shine than usual bead blast.
I knew they were usually magna’s but I figured it was a decent deal. Case and Target stocks probably hold half the value.
Looked too nice to pass up, especially in this early stage of my collector “career”…

 

[Model29-26.5]

Looks nice enough, but the stocks aren't original (unless a special order) as the standard stocks for M28's were walnut magnas. The rear sight is definitely not original, it is ribbed and the factory M28 had a smooth rear sight along with the top strap and the barrel rib. There's some issue with the top strap, it looks peened and sort of rough. I'd be suspicious of a refinish, the roll stamp on the barrel's right isn't as crisp as it should be and the overall finish looks too shiny. The trigger guard is almost a matte finish from the factory. SN puts this gun somewhere between 1969-1972. Here's one from 1973, compare your roll stamp and the rear sight to yours.

And yes., top strap is usually flat I think.
It’ll be a nice looking shooter for sure.

 

[DETROIT]

4” 357 N frame in case for 700 is a win.

 

[Retired W4]

That shine on the bottom of the trigger guard, as well as the other items mentioned above (rear sight, etc.) are a give away. Did the utilitarian Highway Patrolman ever ship in a wood display case?

 

[Model29-26.5]

That shine on the bottom of the trigger guard, as well as the other items mentioned above (rear sight, etc.) are a give away. Did the utilitarian Highway Patrolman ever ship in a wood display case?

No. I don’t think so.
I was wondering about the top strap not being flat and the shiny surface, but it looked too cool in the case to pass up for 710 bucks. An extra 120 for shipping and fees, etc.
It’ll look good in the collection

 

[Hawg Rider]

The HPs did not ship in mahogany presentation cases...that was reserved for the more expensive N-frames (Models 27, 29, 57, etc.). HPs were shipped in their cardboard boxes, so the presentation case that was included with this sale was probably for a 4" Model 27-2 (or maybe a 29 or 57). But with that said, I agree with you that it's still a good deal...the case is worth $150-$200, and so are the stocks, so the HP was only about $400. Good find, and it should be a great shooter! Enjoy!

 

[A10]

The only ones I am aware of that shipped with a wood presentation case are commemoratives. Still, as you say, a 4 inch presentation case with nice liners is probably a hunnerd and a half, and the target grips are probably around the same or more. I think you did good. Enjoy your new .357!

 

[CH4]

You did well. Nice acquisition.
Iam looking at a nice 4 inch that I can get it for $850. Still thinking….

 

[MelvinWalker]

That shine on the bottom of the trigger guard, as well as the other items mentioned above (rear sight, etc.) are a give away. Did the utilitarian Highway Patrolman ever ship in a wood display case?

I have seen a lot of them for sale, but I have never seen one in a wooden case either? I would think the way the guns were marketed, it goes against the concept.

 

[Model29-26.5]

I have seen a lot of them for sale, but I have never seen one in a wooden case either? I would think the way the guns were marketed, it goes against the concept.

Yes. I don’t think it was shipped in the case.
It’s parts put together I think, and a possible re-finish. Don’t know yet. Too strap is not original.
Still a nice shooter and cool case. Couldn’t resist.
However, I did get this on eBay for a 28-2 6” that will be in my future. I thought it would be a nice touch and is not seen one before:
vtg.Smith & Wesson wood presentation gun box | eBay

 

[stansdds]

My assessment is that it did not ship in a presentation case, it has been refinished and "customized. The barrel rib is smooth, it should be serrated. The front sight base is serrated in the same direction as the front sight, sight base serrations should be in the same direction as the barrel rib serrations. The back strap is serrated, pretty sure it should be smooth. The top of the frame should be a satin finish, this one looks like it was shot peened, then polished. The overall finish appears to be a high polish blue, the Model 28 would have left the factory with more of a satin finish. Some of the roll marks appear to be slightly smeared, this is a tell-tale of a refinish. Is it worth $710 plus shipping and FFL transfer fee? If you are really looking for a nice looking, 4-inch barrel N-frame 357 Magnum shooter and only if it is mechanically sound, good lock up and no excessive cylinder play.

 

[Model29-26.5]

My assessment is that it did not ship in a presentation case, it has been refinished and "customized. The barrel rib is smooth, it should be serrated. The front sight base is serrated in the same direction as the front sight, sight base serrations should be in the same direction as the barrel rib serrations. The back strap is serrated, pretty sure it should be smooth. The top of the frame should be a satin finish, this one looks like it was shot peened, then polished. The overall finish appears to be a high polish blue, the Model 28 would have left the factory with more of a satin finish. Some of the roll marks appear to be slightly smeared, this is a tell-tale of a refinish. Is it worth $710 plus shipping and FFL transfer fee? If you are really looking for a nice looking, 4-inch barrel N-frame 357 Magnum shooter and only if it is mechanically sound, good lock up and no excessive cylinder play.

Yeah. Kinda was looking. I have another 28-2 all original finish in box in great shape already. The case is probably worth $150. Grips another $200+ so it’s about a decent deal. Plus.. I’ll kinda like having a shiny Highway Patrolman. Different.
All part of a growing Collection.

 

[CajunBass]

That shine on the bottom of the trigger guard, as well as the other items mentioned above (rear sight, etc.) are a give away. Did the utilitarian Highway Patrolman ever ship in a wood display case?

I have an ancient memory of having seen a Model 28, in a presentation case, in a G.E.M. store display case, in Richmond, back about 1972 or 73. I really knew nothing about Smith and Wesson's back then but I have carried that memory since then.

I now think it was probably a Model 27, or maybe a Model 29, but darn that memory of it being a Model 28 is strong.

 

[Retired W4]

I have an ancient memory of having seen a Model 28, in a presentation case, in a G.E.M. store display case, in Richmond, back about 1972 or 73. I really knew nothing about Smith and Wesson's back then but I have carried that memory since then.

I now think it was probably a Model 27, or maybe a Model 29, but darn that memory of it being a Model 28 is strong.

Yep, 50 years is a long time. BTW, my Pre-28 and S prefix 28-2 has serrations on the sight base and blade just like Model 29-26.5's. The non-model marked example, shipped June 9, 1954, has a 6 groove back strap and non-serrated barrel rib.

 

[Walkin Horse]

I have an ancient memory of having seen a Model 28, in a presentation case, in a G.E.M. store display case, in Richmond, back about 1972 or 73. I really knew nothing about Smith and Wesson's back then but I have carried that memory since then.

I now think it was probably a Model 27, or maybe a Model 29, but darn that memory of it being a Model 28 is strong.

That store memory takes me back to when I was a kid. If I remember it was a members only store, like going to Costco.
Other than the stocks, here is a 28-2 I just bought. There’s not even much of turn line.

 

[Hair Trigger]

The barrel rib is smooth, it should be serrated. The front sight base is serrated in the same direction as the front sight, sight base serrations should be in the same direction as the barrel rib serrations. The back strap is serrated, pretty sure it should be smooth.

On M28's (or all HP's) the barrel rib is smooth. It's one of three S&W's I know of that have a smooth barrel rib (maybe there are more??). The M58 and M520 are also smooth.

You are correct about the groove direction on barrels with serrations that the front sight base is also serrated in the same direction, the grooves extend continuously up to the sight post, even on Patridge front posts. However, on the smooth rib of the M28, the sight base serrations go the same direction as those on the sight post.

The back and front strap on the M28 (all HP's) is serrated, not smooth. The M58 and M520 are smooth on the front and back straps, as are some other models that I'm not as familiar with.

 

[donadler]

Gotta love 28's

My modest group of 28's

 

[Retired W4]

Here is my above mentioned Highway Patrolman, shipped June 9, 1954 to Evaluators Limited in Quantico, VA. The first production HP's were completed, according to my letter, in March, 1954 so this one is a VERY early example in it's original configuration.