To get back in on the thread, I think you have two very fine guns. However, I am questioning the "never fired" status based on what appears to be powder residue (well cleaned) around all cylinders on both guns. Other eyes?opinions?
Value of 2, "NIB" 28-2 Highway Patrolman's with 4" Barrels
- Thread starter ArmedRealtor
- Start date
Sell them both and buy a nice shooter grade one and shoot the snot out of it.
For me this is an excellent time to sell.
tenntex32
Member
Keep the example with the turn line as a shooter. Sell the better condition example at a premium. Find a lesser priced high condition shooter grade 28-2 with a 6" barrel to round out the set. (Assuming you may be leaning towards being a shooter-collector and not a safequeen-collector.)
Spend the money left over on ammo or reloading components to feed them and keep them happy. (If you can actually find ammo or reloading components right now.)
I just looked at a 6" shooter grade 28-2...........and I mean visibly used, that the gun shop had priced at $699. (No box)
When I asked if they would come down off the $699+tax price they declined stating they were extremely comfortable it would sell at their asking price.
I paid $1200 ($625/$575) for two 6" 28-2 examples in the spring of last year, no box for either example. Both in excellent condition finish wise, but one of the examples had a stock serial number that was very close to but not the exact same as the frame's.
I would put a premium on a similar condition 4" example, even more of a premium on an as-new 4" example, and an as-new in box 4" example I feel $900 isn't too far off the mark for the right buyer.
As I have read numerous times any functioning N-Frame=$500. I could easily see adding an additional $400 for as-new condition, the original box/accessories/documentation, and it being a more desirable 4" configuration.
I seriously doubt most shops in my area would price an as-new in box 4" 28-2 at less than $1000.
Oh, and another thing.......study the front cylinder face of each example very closely. If truly unfired by the previous owner(s) then ONLY EVERY OTHER chamber mouth on the front cylinder face should show evidence of being test fired by the factory.
Dale
Spend the money left over on ammo or reloading components to feed them and keep them happy. (If you can actually find ammo or reloading components right now.)
I just looked at a 6" shooter grade 28-2...........and I mean visibly used, that the gun shop had priced at $699. (No box)
When I asked if they would come down off the $699+tax price they declined stating they were extremely comfortable it would sell at their asking price.
I paid $1200 ($625/$575) for two 6" 28-2 examples in the spring of last year, no box for either example. Both in excellent condition finish wise, but one of the examples had a stock serial number that was very close to but not the exact same as the frame's.
I would put a premium on a similar condition 4" example, even more of a premium on an as-new 4" example, and an as-new in box 4" example I feel $900 isn't too far off the mark for the right buyer.
As I have read numerous times any functioning N-Frame=$500. I could easily see adding an additional $400 for as-new condition, the original box/accessories/documentation, and it being a more desirable 4" configuration.
I seriously doubt most shops in my area would price an as-new in box 4" 28-2 at less than $1000.
Oh, and another thing.......study the front cylinder face of each example very closely. If truly unfired by the previous owner(s) then ONLY EVERY OTHER chamber mouth on the front cylinder face should show evidence of being test fired by the factory.
Dale
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firefighterjohn
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Wow, never heard that fact before. Learn something new everyday. Thanks!
tenntex32
Member
.............an extra thumbs up for both examples as I could only give 1 like on the OP!
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tenntex32
Member
I usually don't have to look for it as I rarely buy any S&W revolver examples as-new or brand new. (Aside from the wife's and my 638 and 642 examples, which we were going to be shooting immediately anyways.)
Without getting on too far of a siderail maybe one of the more astute S&W collectors here can give a brief tutorial as to when the factory "every other chamber" test firing practice came about.......and if it is still currently in use?
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firefighterjohn
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..apologize for getting off topic from the 2 28s...
That would be interesting to know as well. It could be a good visual argument when someone tries to sell you one as NIB never-fired. Other than that visual clue, how do you really know if it's true or not?
That would be interesting to know as well. It could be a good visual argument when someone tries to sell you one as NIB never-fired. Other than that visual clue, how do you really know if it's true or not?
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Heck, I'd grind the barrels down to 3 inches on the ol' bench grinder, bob the hammers, Fitz the trigger guards, and round butt both of them. A liberal application of electrical tape to them grips and you're good to go!
Seriously though, those are some fine revolvers you scored! I would go with your thoughts of keeping one as a shooter and setting the other aside as a collector. As someone mentioned, I would probably hang on to the collector for a couple years, S&W prices are still going up. If I were selling a 99% shooter with the box, papers, and cleaning kit right now I wouldn't hesitate to ask in the 750 to 800 range. Brand new in box I would personally ask 1000 to 1200 and be prepared to wait for the right buyer. I don't think either would last too long. In a few years you would probably get more.
Seriously though, those are some fine revolvers you scored! I would go with your thoughts of keeping one as a shooter and setting the other aside as a collector. As someone mentioned, I would probably hang on to the collector for a couple years, S&W prices are still going up. If I were selling a 99% shooter with the box, papers, and cleaning kit right now I wouldn't hesitate to ask in the 750 to 800 range. Brand new in box I would personally ask 1000 to 1200 and be prepared to wait for the right buyer. I don't think either would last too long. In a few years you would probably get more.
OP
ArmedRealtor
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Damnit man, can you please switch us back to that alternative universe STAT?
I far prefer the values suggested in the alternative universe. How dare you poo-poo all over my value parade with "pie in the sky" things like actual stats, sales prices and days on market. All semantics... LOL
Tytan01
Member
So I didn't do too shabby paying $400 each for them is the gist of what I am hearing
The mint stainless Coonan in .357 Magnum with 3 mags for $1,000 wasn't a bad purchase either.
Thanks for all the feedback. I will follow the advice and shoot one, store one.
$400 EACH for thr 28's and $1K for the Coonan? I need to move to your town apparently.
Good job!
Shoot one, safe-queen the other.
MrG5122
Member
hemiram
Member
I would shoot the one with the turn line, and put the other one away for a couple of years and then sell it for what I'm sure will be an excessive amount.
Skeptic 9c
Member
So I didn't do too shabby paying $400 each for them is the gist of what I am hearing
The mint stainless Coonan in .357 Magnum with 3 mags for $1,000 wasn't a bad purchase either.
Thanks for all the feedback. I will follow the advice and shoot one, store one.
At that price, Grand Theft Revolver!
Geoff
Who notes here in NE FL before the disaster a Model 28 w/o box etc would have been $450 and UP!
All I can add to this conversation is that a local dealer had one (still unfired NIB with everything) come in about 2 years ago. It sold almost instantly for cool $1K plus tax.
GB isn't always the real world.
Neither are the Forum classifieds at times. 
Local shops (and gun-dealing pawn shops, where allowed) are where bargains can sometimes be found. It wouldn't shock me to find one in a shop for $800. It also wouldn't shock me to find one in a shop priced at $1,200. 
