I got It!!!! Persistence Thoughts Valuation Perfect Condition 5 Screw Hwy Patrolman

[TheHobbyist]

Friends, One of the shops I visit semi-regularly has a 5 screw HWY Patrolman that is in perfect condition, with the box and all the goodies in a 4" configuration.

No turn line, stocks are factory perfect showing no handling, bluing is perfect, no marks, no nicks that I could see anywhere, doesn't even look like it was test fired....truly a time capsule.

Anyways, the bottom line is the shop wants $ 1,299.00, plus tax and background check.

Worth it? I've never seen one in this condition. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance, TH

**UPDATE 6-16-2020****Friends, being polite and having persistence, while being respectful, turned this one around. This was sold a few days after I saw it; reached out to the collector network in my area, found out who bought it. We talked and I got it. Happy as can be. I really enjoy all the S&W offerings and have had numerous. Now days, I am into collecting very high-condition firearms and this one was just right. *****

 

[Flygas]

Buy it. Fast. That’s a bargain.

 

[TheHobbyist]

^^^^ that's what I was afraid of. They do not open again until Monday and guess I will have to add it to the stable if it is still there. I was on the fence because I do not follow this particular model nor variant.

Fingers crossed I will get it Monday and post pictures.

 

[Jack Flash]

The price knocked me on my butt!

I was thinking $800, $900, definitely less than $1,000.
All original 5-screw w/ 4" barrel LNIB … I might have to throw in the towel and buy that one if I saw it.

 

[JSR III]

I too was a little taken back by the price but haven't really been following that model lately. The fact that it is in pristine condition will always add value to most collectors. As many folks have said before, you don't pay too much you just buy it too early. In that condition, it will always grow into the price. You have to ask, when will I find another in this condition???

 

[ken158]

Monday morning, try $1200 out the door - they know you are serious with that offer and they mighty enjoy big sale with their first customer of the day.

 

[clang444]

Price seems high to me, but I bought mine years ago. You don't want to know how cheap they used to be.

I doubt it is going any where soon at that price.

 

[murphydog]

It's high (now) but not outrageously so. If you like it and won't be spending the kid's milk money I agree with offering $100-200 less than the asking price.

 

[Babysitr]

For collecting, maybe, for shooting, no way....shooting will remove a lot of that value, IMHO...that's a rare find these days

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A year ago When I saw the ‘broke’ lawyer selling his collection,
He had a really nice 4 inch 28.
I didn’t look at it too close.
Probably would have liked it too much!
He was asking about what they want for this one.

 

[H Richard]

Carry in a stack of $100's, and lay 10 of them on the counter, then add one. See what he says, but be prepared to put the rest down.

 

[Dkrueger17]

That sounds like a real dandy! The price isn't too bad as described. A package like that does not surface around these parts very often. It may be a first year production HP which would make it highly sought after. If it were me, I'd go back and pop the grips off for further inspection of any marks or stamps to assure myself it's original. After that, then you can make your offer. Let us know, and post some pictures! Good luck.

 

[mh51]

Simple question....how much are you going to kick yourself if you miss it?

 

[CH4]

Sounds nice

I shoot all my guns. If I found something like that I’d only buy it if the price was such I could flip it.

 

[WCCPHD]

Yes, its a bit high, BUT.

I was looking at a 38/44 Outdoorsman at a gunshow several years ago. I thought the price was high and I asked a friend/dealer. His response was the same advice I'll give you here. It may be high, but how long will you look for another one like that?

Pristine 60 year old revolvers don't grow on trees.

 

[CH4]

Yes, its a bit high, BUT.

I was looking at a 38/44 Outdoorsman at a gunshow several years ago. I thought the price was high and I asked a friend/dealer. His response was the same advice I'll give you here. It may be high, but how long will you look for another one like that?

Pristine 60 year old revolvers don't grow on trees.

I agree. I’ve used that justification many times, not just for price but for rationalizing the purchase of a duplicate. Works every time. Here’s my latest example. Can’t have leave clean 2.5” 19/66s sitting unappreciated in pawn shops.

 

[rubiranch]

Friends, One of the shops I visit semi-regularly has a 5 screw HWY Patrolman that is in perfect condition, with the box and all the goodies in a 4" configuration.

No turn line, stocks are factory perfect showing no handling, bluing is perfect, no marks, no nicks that I could see anywhere, doesn't even look like it was test fired....truly a time capsule.

Anyways, the bottom line is the shop wants $ 1,299.00, plus tax and background check.

Worth it? I've never seen one in this condition. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance, TH

When are you going to find another one like that??

Buy it if you like it.

 

[Jack Flash]

When are you going to find another one like that??

Buy it if you like it.

What he said. … But me being me, I'll have to expound just a little. …

If it happened to be an M27 in that condition (any barrel length), no one would question the price. But think for a minute. People who bought the M27 were buying it because it was at the top of the gun maker's art at that time. They babied it and would have been horrified at the idea of carrying it in a holster. So a good percentage are in LN condition.

Contrast the M28. Many (most?) were bought by LE Agencies for duty carry in a holster. Boxes and paperwork unceremoniously tossed in a receptacle, tools stuck in a desk drawer or glove box. Specimens like the OP describes are rare birds indeed.

 

[SP45]

Take $1,300.00 and start visiting gun shops and gunshows looking for one as you described. You will probably never find another like it. The time and effort looking you will spend many times more than the shop is asking. Not always but sometimes the time to buy is when you see it. This will only get better as the years go by.

 

[ralph7]

That same money will buy a very nice model 27 that was the premier version of the model 28 with all the checkering on top.