Need help fast. Pre-model 28 value

[Ozzdog]

I have the opportunity to purchase a 1954 Highway Patrolman 4" in 95%+ condition with box. I have no idea of the value as gunbroker and a couple other sites do not have anything similar listed.

 

[Jack Flash]

It's tough to give a good answer without pictures or a really thorough description. Right now, someone has a very similar HP in the classifieds for $640. But its barrel was cut to 4" from its original 6" length, so that's a negative. Being all original means a lot, as do box, tools, and any other extras.

Not knowing any more than you stated, a reasonable range would be $500 to $800.

 

[mh51]

I agree with Jack....tough to put a price on it, but if everything matches, including the grip numbers on the inside right panel, I would put tops at $950.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

I agree with mh51.

 

[Art Doc]

I have a 4" HP that shipped in 1954. Shows some holster wear. A forum member offered to me at $190. Yeah, about 15 years ago.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! With the understanding a 96% gun is worth a lot less than a 99%, with the 'original numbered box and contents' I think $800-900 would be fair at the low end of the condition range. More for a nearly pristine example.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Unless it's needed to fill a hole in your "collection" ........ it it's just a target of opportunity........I'd top out between $700-800...... almost all were bought as duty guns so a +95% isn't common

28s have gotten hot over the past few years..... they use to be $300-400 guns around here about 3 years ago a LGS had 5 or 6 four and six inch guns priced at between $500-650 depending on condition; but the current gun market seems generally soft.

Good luck.

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Babysitr]

Welcome, around here around $700 without seeing it, they are fun to shoot! Good luck

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Most I have seen were duty guns.
But I recently saw some near new ones for sale at $1000-$1200.
Owned by a lawyer who claims he's broke.
He's a certified drama queen, his net worth probably went under 5 mil!
But I did an Elvis and left the area because I could be talked into a 4 incher.
I'm thinking under $1000 for this one.
Maybe $700-800.

 

[Jack Flash]

I tried to be conservative because we know / don't know:
- One man's 95% could be a more realistic 85%
- Mechanical condition?
- Rubber grips / wrong grips commonly are installed on these
- Has a box … condition? correctness?

So many unknowns. They are great guns, but when you start talking $1,200 to $1,500 you are entering M27 territory. You would really have to find the right buyer to pay that much for an M28, no matter how nice.

 

[deyomatic]

For a first year HP- I tend to agree that the pricing should start at $7-800, and more for nicer condition.

 

[Jack Flash]

I see the one in the classifieds did sell. The price eventually dropped to $590, but of course no guarantee the buyer paid that. I had my eye on it but someone else was quicker. Those old pre-model numbers are especially nice.

 

[TTSH]

With the understanding a 96% gun is worth a lot less than a 99%, with the 'original numbered box and contents' I think $800-900 would be fair at the low end of the condition range.

I tried to be conservative because we know / don't know:
- One man's 95% could be a more realistic 85%
- Mechanical condition?
- Rubber grips / wrong grips commonly are installed on these
- Has a box … condition? correctness?

So many unknowns.

This is why I didn't jump in earlier... no pix. I have recently seen what some people would call a 95% 4" M28 sell for as low as $500. But this is an oldie and that matters too. A true "no-BS" 95% 4" M28 of that vintage... where the "5%" is benign handing/muzzle wear... could go for as much as $700-$850 in my area if you can find the right interested buyer.

On the other hand, I've seen a true 99+% in-box-with-everything 4" M28 go for $1,000+tax. And the shop didn't even have to work hard to sell it. Just like that, it would gone.

No, I didn't buy it. In fact, I sold my 99+% 4" M28 decades ago for peanuts by today's standards. I'd feel like a fool buying it back today for megabucks!