Stopped by the Birmingham gunshow today with my son. We both stated on the drive there that we didn't need any guns. I was looking for some grips for a Colt, some reloading gear, etc., but NO guns. Well, this 6" Model 28-2 jumped out at me and walked me to my truck! Timing and lock-up are perfect. With one exception, the finish looks almost brand new, and it has only a faint turn line. The diamond-target stocks have a couple of very minor dents. Two things I didn't even notice at the dealer's table is that the rear-sight blade is broken (no problem replacing that) and the sideplate has a strange smudge on the finish. It looks much worse in the photos. In fact, I didn't notice it until I put it under strong light to take these photos. Anyone seen such a blemish? Just wondering if there is something common that would cause this. Regardless, it would not have been a deal-breaker even if I'd noticed it. Especially since I got it for $550 out the door.
Score at the Birmingham gun show
- Thread starter daveboy
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Well you paid him for the grips, are you mailing him money for 28? 
Nice score, I wondered around a few hours there this morning. Some really nice stuff but all I got was grips.
Nice score, I wondered around a few hours there this morning. Some really nice stuff but all I got was grips.bamabiker
Member
I thought about going today but had some other things come up.
Nice grab for that price. On the side plate, it looks like it took a hit on the top side and for the blemish it looks like someone tried to touch up the bluing some Birchwood Casey bluing liquid.
Just a guess.
Nice grab for that price. On the side plate, it looks like it took a hit on the top side and for the blemish it looks like someone tried to touch up the bluing some Birchwood Casey bluing liquid.
Just a guess.
I told my son that the grips were worth $200 easy!Well you paid him for the grips, are you mailing him money for 28?
Yes, I tend to agree. Taking a closer look at it, there is a tiny nick in the top edge of that sideplate. And, it does look like cold bluing. I'm wondering if it took a fall and that is also what broke the side off the rear-sight blade? If so, it's strange that there doesn't appear to be any other marks on it. Doesn't really matter. The sight blade is an easy fix, and I think I can make that blemish look a little better.
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Nothing like an Highway Patrolman. Nice get, as they say.
It's my first one. I'm more of a K-frame guy. But, I couldn't walk away from that deal. I had a couple of other dealers ask what I'd given for it and they told me I robbed the guy!
Nice score!
S234177 shipped in July 1963. It is also a 6" Model 28-2.
Was there much in the way of reloading there? I haven't been to a gun show in years. Guess I could swing by tomorrow.
I was there today. Lots of reloading stuff, mostly powder. Prices are still high IMHO.
simmomo
Member
Based on the apparent buggered screws, it appears that the side plate was removed at some point by a novice gunsmith. Price paid may be "fair," assuming no internal issues, only cosmetic.
Thank you!
There were a couple of big tables with reloading supplies. Not as much as I'd hoped for, though.
Yeah, I don't know where some guys shop!
I saw that one! I'd already exceeded my budget by that time!
The barrel pin looks to have been removed, but not with a cupped punch. Maybe an aftermarket refinish ?
Igiveup
Member
Is the M64 with 4 " pencil barrel harder to find? Worth more than 4 " heavy barrel?
You made me look! That pin does have a flat spot on it, but it is tiny. I can't see it with my naked eye. So, it may possibly have been removed, but I'm thinking not. I can state with confidence that the gun has not been refinished. There is "cratering" around the stamping that would have been polished off. The barrel finish perfectly matches the rest of the gun, so I don't think it had the barrel replaced (only reason I can imagine the pin would have been removed except for a refinish).
I think I did good. Looking closer, there is a tiny nick in the steel at the upper section of the sideplate. Pretty sure someone tried to "fix" that and polished away the bluing in an area about the size of a thumbprint. A proper application of touch-up bluing won't remove the blemish, but it should certainly minimize it.
Nice find!
Someone mentioned that the sideplate had been removed by Bubba. Pretty certain it was removed to try and repair a nick in it, which is the reason for the bluing being removed in that area. I broke the gun down yesterday for a good cleaning and inspection. It's pretty apparent to me that no one has been inside this gun to "tinker" because I don't think it has ever been cleaned. Very little wear is apparent, but lots of gunk.
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In my experience (I'm 65) they aren't very 'common'. This is the first 'For Sale' example I've ever actually been able to hold.
I foolishly helped a retired asst chief from my Dept sell a pencil barrel 64 rather than buying it myself …. And for a lot less than $500 ……
