Looking at a couple 357's. One is a model 28, 6 inch no dash in very nice shape. It has diamond targets (football) stocks and no box.

Next is a 27-2, 5 inch also in very nice shape it has the display case with tools and target stocks.

They are priced $100 apart with the 27 being more.

Which one will increase in value in the coming years?

Lets hear your thoughts.

Assuming the 27 has the original grips, I'd say it's the better investment, but who knows? That's the one that I would buy.

Which one will increase in value in the coming years?

Both will.

As to which one I'd be buying it would be the 5" 27 especially if it an S serial numbered one. That is just going from what you posted.
If the diamond targets happened to be cokes or the 27 was worse condition I might sway the other way.

__________________
Paul
S&WCA #2726

Especially with the 27 being a 5", the $100 difference would seem pretty small. The display case is worth more than that.

The 27 for sure.

My feeling after obtaining my 28-2 is a resounding "why?". I understand that back in the day metallurgy required something like the N frame to hold up to a steady diet of the 357 that cracked the K frames. It's gigantic, the trigger was fairly mediocre, and it sits in the closet while my L frame SSR comes out every time. N frames in 44, 45, or even the "357 8 Times" PC 627 make plenty of sense to me today.

Now I know where this goes. Why bother collecting any of the old wheelguns then? I mean what the hell does a 38/44 do that a smaller 686 doesn't at a reduced price? Well the old Smiths I've owned and played with generally show amazing bluing, superb fitting, well tuned triggers, needless intricate machine work (see the 27's top strap checkering). The 28 is the value model of the 27, a purely functional piece from the era where the N frame was a necessity for the round. The bluing and machine work on the 27 makes you think "wow, now this is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship from a bygone era" more than "huh, this is way too big and heavy for what it does" without the charm of the days of cheap high quality machining.

Basically just buy the 27, at that price difference it's a no brainer.

Stocks on the 27 are football target, the gun i think is a mid 70's. it has an n serial number.

The diamond targets on the 28 are not cokes.

I'd go for the older gun,but the price would have to be much lower.

The 27 sounds like a much better buy.
If the prices were good to start I'd be trying for a package deal.

__________________
Paul
S&WCA #2726

I like the no dash 28 over a dash 2 27. I have both and the 28 with correct diamind magnas is a sweet old gun. Nothing wrong with a 27 at all but that is my thoughts

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

The only reason im considering the 28 is just that. It is a no-dash model being at least 1960 or older. If they were both -2's it would be a done deal with the model 27 sitting in the safe.

I do have one question. The 28 on the back of the cylinder does not have the serial number stamped into it? I thought all older guns had the number on the back of the cylinder? All it has is an H stamped on it.

Numbering all the parts was coming to an end around 57-58.

A 5" 27 should be at least 50% more than a 6" M28. With the box add another $100.

The 28 was designed to be half the gun the 27 is but for reasons I do not understand now the 28s nearly rival the much, much more deluxe and more desirable 27s.

I don't get it.

If you want an investment I'm almost tempted to say get the 28. The way they have nearly caught the 27s in price the past few years I expect them to surpass the much, much better 27s in the future.

Again, I don't get it.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

I just researched and bought a 27-2 and I couldn't believe how high the prices had gotten, especially for nice ones with boxes.

I'm guessing the 28 came with diamond magnas? If you buy the 28, you might want to snag a set of them. They are getting increasingly harder to find and expensive. I think the old guns are cooler, but I still think the 27-2 is the better buy.

Definitely the model 27-2! It should always be more valuable than a model 28 due to the better finish and the checkering on the top strap. For some reason, they always feel better to me than the 28, just smoother action. I do not own any model 28s, but have handled quite a few, and carried one for serious business for several years.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

27-2s are pretty common, Model 28 4 screw guns, not so much, but then a little rough around the edges and not so fine a finish pretty much describes me.

A 5 inch 27-2 with presentation case just sold on GB for $955.