model 28-2 said to be rare

[gotoafterburners]

Hello,

I took a .357 Highway Patrolman model 28-2 into a Gander Mountain today to sell. The gunsmith came out with a blue book, and after a thorough inspection said "You don't want to sell this to me". I asked why and he showed me the book...It stated that the model I had could be very rare.

I thanked him and came here. It's a 6" model, blue, with a serial number that begins with "N577..." and also has the following numbers printed just below the model designation: "26674" then F22.

He said it "could" be rare or not, but that I'd be better off researching first. So I have two questions...can someone here let me know if it might be rare, and two, would a letter from S&W confirm that? From what I see, the letters just say here's where and when it was made and here's who sold it...is it worth the $50?

Thanks very much in advance for your time and consideration!

GTA

 

[donadler]

I am not an expert on Smiths, so with that in mind....

The Model 28-2 started in 1961, with S serial #'s. In 1969, they changed to the N serial #, which is what you have. They sold 28-2's until 1982, when Smith changed eliminated the pinned and recessed feature and called it the 28-3. While I don't know the numbers they made, it would seem that something made for 13 years would be less than rare. The SCSW shows that there are some variants that may be of interest, but yours seems to be a standard 28-2 as far as I can see.

Others will chime in I am sure.

 

[ken158]

They made the model 28 for about 30 years in different dash models. I doubt your gun is anything so special that it is worth a $50 letter. I would say unseen value is around $350 - $400.

 

[palmetto99]

Model 28-2 rare? I wouldn't say rare. There are not tons of them around (say like the model 10's) and they don't command the price of a model 27. BTW, the 28 is the plain sister to the 27. I would hold onto it anyway, unless you just have to get rid of it.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome to the Forum. Factory nickel model 28s or anything except a 4" and 6" are rare. Should you decide to sell, you would likely get more for it with a Wanted to Sell ad here than at a retail store. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Engine49guy]

First everything Im about to say is my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it.

After several people give their opinions you can get a general consensus but....

IMHO
While N frame 357's are really neat guns as far as HP models go the 28-2 is the bare bones version of the Model 27 and isnt a very rare gun.

While there are rare configurations in every model line it is usually the older guns pre dating model numbers with low serial numbers begining with S that are more "rare" and sought after .


N frame 357's have gone up in value recently and is probably worth considerably more money than Gander would offer you and what you probably thought it was worth.

Without pictures or more details especially on condition including if the the grips are original and if you have the box and docs it is hard to estimate its exact value.

I valued my 6" 28-2 at about $400 before recently trading it for a K frame model 66 worth about the same.

 

[A10]

I agree with the other posters, it probably isn't rare. You could do well to visit the "Ultimate Highway Patrolman" thread in this forum, you will find out everything you need to know about your firearm. They are fine shooters, and great dependable weapons. And there is definitely a subset of S&W collectors that love 28's (I'm one of them!)

 

[Dump1567]

According to the blue book, the brushed nickel finish is very rare. Maybe he misread the book?

 

[j38]

Your gun, as described would list (and probably sell) for $450 to $500 around my neck of the woods.

Good Luck,

Jerry

 

[Munsterf18]

I like your member name!

 

[Reddog]

I don't see where anyone said this gun was nickel?
Dick

 

[gotoafterburners]

Thank you all!

I just wanted to thank all of you who responded to my question. I think he may have been confused as well. With that said, I think I will hold on to my model...even though I haven't shot it in over 20 years, I've always had an affinity for it.

Thanks again everyone...good shooting!

GTA

 

[Art Doc]

A 6" 28-2 is rare? News to me.

 

[perrazi]

rare is the most overused word in the gun world.

 

[lagavulin62]

as rare as buffalo nickels and wheat pennies.

 

[NFrameFred]

I don't see where anyone said this gun was nickel?
Dick

I think the appellation was an assumption that the guy at Gander read the reference about brushed nickel 28's being rare and mistakenly applied it to the whole species . . .

 

[pharman]

28-2

Here goes! In my humble opinion, I believe the guy at Gander Mountain decided NOT to buy your revolver and after all the time spent with the Blue Book looking it up etc., he just didn't know how to tell you he did not want your revolver. Some people have a hard time telling a person no. It's kind of like when you are set up at a gun show and a guy looks at one of your guns and lays it down and says he will be back...you know he is NOT coming back, so why doesn't he just tell you he does not want it?

 

[moosedog]

Finding knowledgable gun people at Gander Mountains can be classified as "rare".

 

[Bloodhound]

Its a very early version of the N series 28-2 s....so that maybe why he thought it was something special.

That said...it is something special...as are all 28-2 s...The HP is a peach of a revolver...designed to be a Cop's guns...I like that you are going to keep it...you will never regret having it and they are all going up in value...

 

[srgvaz]

"You don't want to sell this to me".

Perhaps that was the nice way of telling you that you 28-2 is worth nothing.