Highway Patrolman (Model 28) Question

[boykinlp]

I have a couple of questions about the Model 28. In the 4th edition of the Standard Catalog of S&W, under Specials and Variations, it says 30% premium for no dash Model 28, and prices (already outdated, I'm sure) are ANIB $900, Excellent $700, etc. I know the 28-1 is really "unobtainum", so does this mean that if you have a 28 no dash and a 28-2 in the same excellent condition, that the 28-2 would be worth $700 and the 28 no dash would be worth $910? What is the purpose of the premium? Were there not a lot made?

Also, why was there not a usual amount of 28-1's manufactured? I guess the 27-1's and 28-1's were both made for the same amount of time. Was there just an over abundance of 28 no dash's in inventory, so no need to start in 28-1 as soon as the 27-1?

I thought it was kinda strange that the book lists the ANIB at $900 for both the Model 27 and Model 28. I would have thought that the Model 27 would be valued much higher than the Model 28. Thanks for any information.
Larry

 

[JP@AK]

I have a couple of questions about the Model 28. In the 4th edition of the Standard Catalog of S&W, under Specials and Variations, it says 30% premium for no dash Model 28 . . .

What is the purpose of the premium? Were there not a lot made?

Larry
As your full post suggests, the 28-1 is extremely rare. In fact, there is only one known to exist at this point.

The 27-1 and 29-1 are also relatively scarce, but there are more of them out there. In top condition, they also draw something of a premium.

Also, why was there not a usual amount of 28-1's manufactured?

I have no idea what "usual amount" means.

On the N frames, the change to the threads on the extractor rod and the change to the cylinder stop (eliminating the 4th screw) happened in fairly rapid succession. It helps to remember that all models were not coming down the production lines at the same time. Apparently, those changes occurred (were implemented) during a period when the Models 27, 28 and 29 were in a fairly quiet period of production. That is, they were out of cycle and very few were being assembled. The assumption would be that K and J frames were taking up most of the production lines. Hence, on the N frames, most production skipped over from "no dash" to -2. It seems that was particularly true for the Highway Patrolman.

I cannot say for certain that my theory set out here is factual. It just seems to me to make the most sense out of the situation.

 

[Hondo44]

Jack,

I share your "theory" and in my opinion it is spot on.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I have to say it was my great honor to hold and handle the only known Model 28-1 before it was auctioned by the owner. The gun was a shooter, butI was surprised it didn't sell for a lot more. As I recall, it sold in the low $3K range.

 

[gmborkovic]

I have seen a Mod28-1 and a few Mod-28-1. Which one is not legit?
Not a clue. Or are both correct?

 

[Hair Trigger]

Jack, I think you're pretty much on the money. My take is very similar, as to why there seem to be so few of one series in a particular model and so many in others. It's all about supply and demand. For the sake of this explanation, let's stay with N frames between 1968 and 1982, which leaves us with all "N" prefixes. SCSW shows date ranges and number series in those ranges, which cover ALL N frames manufactured during that period. Now, S&W isn't making equal numbers of each model, because some models were much more popular than others in the general market. They weren't even making equal mixes of barrel lengths in a given model, for the same reason. But then, several large orders come in from various places; distributors wanting a supply to sell in their chain stores, police departments wanting to equip their officers, that sort of thing. So, in the midst of 'normal' production of varied models coming down the line, all of a sudden there are a lot more of one particular model, and maybe in one particular configuration (including blue or nickel finishes), until that special order is filled. The time frame of those orders has a bearing on what series (dash number) they are, and while there are more of them, there are less of others being made. The dash-one's in particular, most are only a one year series, not many would be made in any case, when some series ran for over 20 years. Put all that together and you get a lot of one, some of another, and very few of a third. Now, extend that to the other frame types and the models that go with them, and you start to see why there seem to be so many of a particular type and so few of another. Consider one particular model, say a M28. Not a lot of options, blue/nickel (and very few nickel), 4" or 6", standard hammer/trigger, semi-target hammer, smooth combat trigger. How many different configurations can you get just from those choices? Quite a few models had few choices (M58, M520 for examples), but more models had many more choices. You could probably build 100 M27's of the same series, without any two being identical.

 

[boykinlp]

Larry
As your full post suggests, the 28-1 is extremely rare. In fact, there is only one known to exist at this point.

I have no idea what "usual amount" means.

Jack, basically I meant approximately the same number as the 27-1 and 29-1. I wonder how many 28-1's were actually made?

How about the 30% premium for the 28 no dash? How is it determined and why?
Larry

 

[toad67]

Though the SCoSW is "THE PLACE" to go for info on the guns themselves, their pricing, just like the B/B of GUN VALUES can be way off. Markets for certain guns can change in a very short period of time. If you want current prices, then gunbroker is the best and easiest way to determine FMV of a given firearm.
Thanks for the great info on the above mentioned models.

 

[JP@AK]

How about the 30% premium for the 28 no dash? How is it determined and why?

First, the Model 28 was only made in 1958 and 1959, with possibly a few assembled in 1960. That's a short run, especially relative to the Model 28-2, which was produced from c. 1961 to 1982 (20 years). There were zillions of 28-2 units made. So, there is a scarcity premium for the Model 28. More Highway Patrolman revolvers were made before model numbers than there were Model 28s.

As for the 30% number, I can't say for sure why Jim assigned that. But I will tell you that before he publishes a new edition, he assembles a group of knowledgeable collectors to go through each model and help him assign a current price. There is, therefore, some collective knowledge and wisdom involved.

Finally, as noted by other members here, published prices for used guns are very time-limited. Even if they are quite close to reality when they are published, they can become out of date quickly.

 

[TheHobbyist]

FWIW, I have probably the highest condition of this variant in the market.

5-Screw, Mod. 28, no dash, S Prefix in perfect condition; everything is with it, also in perfect condition. Only a very, very, minor beginning of a turn line.

I would estimate it has only been handled without gloves, I wear all cotton white gloves, for guns like this yearly for oil, less than 50 times--I base this on what hand oils do to original grips in my experience. I'd be shocked to learn that the cylinder has been rotated more than 50 times. These statements are based on my personal experience having owned NIB, LNIB 5-screws and in some cases shooting them because I did not know what I had originally when I started collecting and along the way.

 

[raljr1]

Pictures, please!

 

[boykinlp]

FWIW, I have probably the highest condition of this variant in the market.

5-Screw, Mod. 28, no dash, S Prefix in perfect condition; everything is with it, also in perfect condition. Only a very, very, minor beginning of a turn line.

I would estimate it has only been handled without gloves, I wear all cotton white gloves, for guns like this yearly for oil, less than 50 times--I base this on what hand oils do to original grips in my experience. I'd be shocked to learn that the cylinder has been rotated more than 50 times. These statements are based on my personal experience having owned NIB, LNIB 5-screws and in some cases shooting them because I did not know what I had originally when I started collecting and along the way.

Pictures, please!

TheHobbyist, I will second raljr1's request for pictures. We really need to see some pictures of that gem. When was it shipped and what was the location, do you know?

I am also curious about how many 5 screw 28 No Dash model were made? Was there more 5 screw or 4 screw 28 No Dash models in that 2-2.5 year timeframe? Thanks.
Larry

 

[JP@AK]

I am also curious about how many 5 screw 28 No Dash model were made?

There should not be any 5 screw Model 28 revolvers. The upper sideplate screw was eliminated in 1956, and there were no Model 28s until 1958.

TheHobbyist must simply be confused. If he has a Model 28, it would be a four screw gun. If it has a five screw frame, it would not be a Model 28, just a Highway Patrolman.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Sorry to leave ya hanging; I'll take some photos today and post them.

ETA: It must be a 4 screw then, I haven't looked at it for well over a year.

Also, adding that these photos look bad not sure why they seem cloudy; looks far better in person, but you get the gist.

 

[TheHobbyist]

A few more photos...

ETA: Just looked at the photos I took and it looks like took them with a cheese burger, my goodness. New Apple phone, went to different rooms to try out different light and it doesn't look good. I am sorry about that.

There is no wear I could find, muzzle end, cylinder, minus the aforementioned light ring, nadda. I took the photo of the box upside down intentionally to show it was sold with the Highway Patrolman box.

 

[JP@AK]

TheHobbyist

It looks very nice, even with the less-than-good photos!