Model 28 Values Still On the Upswing

[WCCPHD]

It's interesting to me that you even saw one in an LGS. In the past three years I have not seen even one 28-2 in any condition for sale in any LGS in my city. I might see one or two at the big gun shows here a few times a year, but the last one I went to, I didn't even see one at all. But I see 27s all over the place.

I've seen at least six in the past year in gun shops. PM me if you are still looking.

 

[Derosa]

Is it worth the selling price? Only the buyer knows. Worth is relative to the buyer and the buyer always sets the buying price. NIB is a four letter word to a user and very few things improve with age and no experience(s). I prefer a few worn spots & scars & stains & proof of value. New wears off; experience doesn't. I wish the buyer the best.

 

[Watchdog]

I'm presently trying to collect model 27s in the popular barrel lengths and I've noticed in the last 4-6 months the prices on them are steadily climbing, especially for the nicer specimens on the market.

There are two 27-2s from an estate that are for sale in a local LGS right now, one a 6-inch, the other a 4-inch. One is in a presentation case. Each one is priced at $1200. They look really good.

 

[JohnRippert]

Sideplate has been taken off with the wrong size screwdriver as well. Fairly nice but not $1800 nice.

 

[Watchdog]

MOD 28.2 357/38 sells for about $400AUD to $600AUD downunder.
there are not many ATM.

Sounds fairly comparable. With AUD currently at about $1.29US, a $600AUD would be right at $775, less taxes and paperwork fees.

 

[1blindref]

I had that one on my watch list and was surprised at the final price.
I wouldn't have paid that much for that gun, but I'm sure others wouldn't have paid as much as I have for some of the guns in my collection.

The formula is actually quite simple:
Supply, demand, size of wallet, and how bad you want it.

The 19-3 that the seller is selling is what's surprising to me

 

[Bill Bates]

Nice to see someone hit a home run with a high condition 28-2. I've been saying for a number of years that Highway Patrolman have been under valued.

Here is something to ponder; what do you think is rarer: a NIB Highway Patrolman or NIB 27. I'm betting the 28 is more rare. The people buying them, even in the 1970s ,were buying 28s to shoot; not to toss in the sock drawer like their shinny cousins.

Will the high condition 28s value pass the 27 , no but I think it will hit the same levels.

The other gun to watch values on will be early high condition Combat Magnums. High condition Pre-19, 19 no dashes and 19-2 are beginning to take off.

 

[Mickey D]

​

Another, same gun. (Learning how to post photos; slow learner!)

I'll take it!

 

[Watchdog]

...I've gotta stop the buying spree sometime

I said the same thing last year.

But that was last year.

 

[Stan O]

28-2

Wow! I was ashamed to admit that I bought a NIB 28-2 last year for $800. I thought that was too high.

 

[BigBill]

I said anything $1,000 and under was a good buy. I have two a m28-0 & m28-2 in New condition but no box.(99.99%)

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

Op you have asked for our thoughts.

That was a collector condition package it. S serial number etc.

I suspect for a considerable period of time, one or two years, model 28s will have a huge price drop off for anything less than mint.

Unlike the model 27s in the 99% or 99+% range that get higher and higher price, the 28 prices in the 98% to 99+% will languish in the affordable price spot of $900.00 to $1,100.00 And I am not convinced they will be worth the investment.


Time will tell.

 

[Elkins45]

Take a look at some of his other completed auctions. He has been selling some really pristine stuff, and he must be a kitchen table FFL because Waddy, Ky is just a wide spot in the road. There aren't any gun stores there I'm aware of unless his actual shop is in Shelbyville.

I limit my Gunbroker searches to Kentucky so I have been seeing the nice revolvers he has been putting up lately. I bid on one but it went into 4 digits so I lost interest.

That's a nice gun, but WAY too much money. FWIW I just traded a 28-2 with a 6" barrel and some very slight pitting near the muzzle for a rifle worth about $600 and I thought both of us walked away with a pretty good deal.

 

[one eye joe]

Morons ? IIRC, this greedy seller starts his auctions waayyy up at 1 penny.

I paid a somewhat notorious price for an item that one of our forum members had on auction, way over his starting price. How do you suppose that happened ? SEVERAL people wanted it. the seller didn't set the hammer price, the buyers do. I was admiring that wonderful item today and that is what makes the difference. Do you have it ? Or don't you ?

THE MONETARY VALUE OF ANY ITEM IN A FREE MARKET PLACE IS EXACTLY WHAT THE HIGHEST BIDDER IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT. THE PERSON WHO PAYS $3000. FOR A PYTHON IS NOT A MORON. THE PERSON THAT BUYS THAT VERY SAME PYTHON FROM HIM A YEAR LATER FOR $4000. IS NOT A MORON EITHER. THEY ARE MERE ACTORS REACTING TO THE FORCES OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND ON THE GRAND STAGE OF CAPITALISM. THE REAL MORONS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO LUST AFTER A PYTHON ALL OF THEIR LIVES, AND DESPITE HAVING THE RESOURCES TO PURCHASE ONE, JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH THE PLAY UNFOLD, CONTINUALLY COMPLAINING ABOUT PRICES WHILE LOOKING TO STEAL ONE FOR LESS THAN $2000., AND NEVER, EVER OWN ONE…...

 

[BigBill]

I once was told my new 1976 made in the 200th year of American liberty police service six, 357mag, w/2 3/4" barrel, in stainless would never be worth anything. It's model GF-32 and was never in the catalog.
I seen a security-six with the made in the 200th year of American liberty recently sell for $750. The model number was in the catalog. I feel my gfs-32 is easily worth $1,000 with me being the original owner with the box.

Now where does this put the s&w m28 highway patrolman?
It's out of production, so it's no longer manufactured or offered new?
I think a m28 in having a still new in the box look in that dull dark non luster looking industrial bluing will draw the higher prices too.
I doubt we will ever see the new m28's being offered again.
I think the m28, m24, m57/4" and m58's are long gone production wise.
There not even on the classic list or offerings. There not in demand like they once were. So I believe a m28 will bring a higher price to the new die-hard collector along with the other models that are not in production right now. I believe these n frames within the next decade will be in the $2k+ range. Maybe even higher. I never see gun values of prices go down.

I will never complain about the rising prices I been there the last 30++ years with the military surplus stuff. I'm not cheap I'm frugal.
On the other hand you can't take the money with you when you leave this earth. Remember in heaven there is no beer that's why we drink it here. Lots of truth to that it applies to lots of things. Never seen a brinks armored truck in a funeral?

I say enjoy life, save some and spent some. Do it today for tomorrow may never come.

After having cancer I just don't give a darn about anything now. Just go for the justo in life.

 

[BigBill]

Btw, the m28 highway patrolman is also a really nice piece too. If your going to get a few s&w n frames or start to collection having a m28 HP in the herd is good too. My want list was only three n frames a m29, a m57 and a m27. But after feeling the awesome feel of the actions these can be worst than potato chips. I liked the 5 1/2" redhawks, the 6" s&w, the 6 1/2" s&w n frames. I didn't care for the 4" barreled magnums. The new S&W m58 changed all that. The n framed Magnum with the 4" barrel seems to be spot on with the balance to power ratio. S&w got it right over 100 years ago with the first n frames. It continues even today with the brand new n frames. Excellence is the only word I can use for such a awesome design.

 

[Aguila9]

I just can't beleive the premium a correct box can bring. But like everyone says "it's only worth what someone is willing to pay".

 

[bigwagon]

I just picked up a 98 percent 28-2 6" for $450. It had almost no noticeable turn line or other evidence of having been fired much. It came with an unmarked blue box and paperwork for a Model 29 that I think might actually have been the shipping box for a 29 that came with a presentation case.

I really like the low-luster finish of the 28s. It's all-business and still looks better than most modern guns.

 

[Abflyboy]

Seems like a lot of $$$ even for a brand new 28-2. But I'm no expert.

I sure am happy my daughter reloads her own .357 Magnum ammo and shoots the heck out of my 28-2. Of all my guns, this one is her absolute favorite. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Probably going to give it to her for her 18th b-day.

 

[SLT223]

Bahahaha! Bidder DC3113 better call up bidder Sablepalm if he ever wants to sell it, because he is the only other lunatic willing to pay near that price.