Fair Value?

Joined
Aug 31, 2025
Messages
23
Reaction score
16
Location
Melbourne, Florida
Went into a LGS and they have a 28-2' 4", magna stocks. Cosmetically there's some wear on the stocks and just the beginning of a cylinder ring. Otherwise it looks great. Mechanically it's very clean and tight. No box or anything, just the gun. What would be a fair value?
 
Register to hide this ad
I would keep looking as I agree with jeep1 that $600-$800 is more online to correct value….I purchased a 6" a few years ago at $600 from Cabellas ft worth and it is minty no box….you can still find good value in these if you look around… I value both my 4" and 6" in this range of 600-$800 today. The 4" is an S prefix and some folks seek that out but it doesn't mean much to me-kinda cool-ish though. An early Model "Highway Patrolman" as it was simply called before model #'s were attached (1957-58-ish)would be more valuable as a collector piece but really not worth $2k either….a few folks that own minty pre-model # HPs' might have their feelers hurt about that comment, but it's true unless the gun has important documented provenance. Cheers-hope for you to find a good one!
 
Surely you know $2000 is way out of line for that model, right?
Having seen some similar guns I would have thought $700-$800, maybe $1000 if its a hot ticket item. I was just checking with the knowledgeable forum brethren to be sure there wasn't some esoteric reason why it would be valued so highly. Its a beautiful gun but I can't imagine reaching common ground on the price.
 
Went into a LGS and they have a 28-2' 4", magna stocks. Cosmetically there's some wear on the stocks and just the beginning of a cylinder ring. Otherwise it looks great. Mechanically it's very clean and tight. No box or anything, just the gun. What would be a fai
28-2 , 4" with an N serial number and no box, very good to excellent condition, $750 - $800. The 28-2 with an early S serial number and numbered matching diamond magnas, $900. Add $100 - $125 for a correct box or more for an original box.
 
28-2 , 4" with an N serial number and no box, very good to excellent condition, $750 - $800. The 28-2 with an early S serial number and numbered matching diamond magnas, $900. Add $100 - $125 for a correct box or more for an original box.
Welcome to the Forum. LOL! I'm afraid your lgs owner hasn't bothered to check GB or any other references to see what is a real world asking price for that 4" Model 28-2. Although original condition 4" versions generally bring a little more $ than the 6" versions, he is totally out of the ballpark. I think that the estimates that you've seen in this Post are much more realistic. I live close to you so I'm familiar with the local shops and I can't believe someone would think that $2K was a reasonable asking price. Maybe the owner should visit the Melbourne gun show occasionally and see what vintage handguns are bringing these days.
 
So I was thinking it might be time to part ways with a pair of 1980's revolvers. Guys tell me that my S&W model 10 and the model 60 are worth x dollars. I'm thinking if someone came along and offered in 600-700 total for both, that could work.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2905.webp
    IMG_2905.webp
    924.7 KB · Views: 1
  • IMG_2923.webp
    IMG_2923.webp
    680.6 KB · Views: 4
Last edited:
Surely you know $2000 is way out of line for that model, right?
I wouldn't be shocked if I saw a minty example in a case marked $1000 in certain local markets but hell no to $2000. Hell I will sell mine for $1000 right now, lol.
 
I bought a 74 vintage 4 inch 28 in the same condition as you described at the Phoenix GS for $750. I think he was asking $800-$850, it was last Dec.
 
A few weeks ago I purchased on GB a mint 6 inch 28-2 with a S serial number, a box, paperwork and old the original receipt from the first owner for $680. As has been said, keep looking. There still are good buys to be found.
 
$2k is absurd for a 28-2, but it's also not 2015 anymore, and finding a nice 4" gun for $600 would be a steal.

Value can vary significantly, with the highest being early S serial numbers, decreasing the newer the gun gets. 4" worth more than 6". These guns were working guns, and most were used for their designed purpose and show it. A pristine gun in near unfired condition will bring a significant premium, especially with original stocks, box and papers. Early HPs ('pre-28') will also bring a premium.

I would not be surprised to see a 4" early S numbered gun in high condition go for over $1k, but a late 6" gun with typical wear could go for $650 or so. Big, sliding scale in-between....
 
I'd be tempted to ask him if he considers an $800 profit reasonable on a $2K sale, and if says yes, tell him you'll be bringing in a bunch he can have for $1200 each.
 
One S#, one NYSP marked. Total cost less than $2,000
 

Attachments

  • 708dc12e-d654-47e0-beee-e3f050209eff-1_all_367.webp
    708dc12e-d654-47e0-beee-e3f050209eff-1_all_367.webp
    465.5 KB · Views: 1

Latest posts

Back
Top