What is a Model 28 that's been converted to 44 Special worth?

[tominboise]

I have yet to look at this gun, but a local has a 4" Model 28 (don't know what dash number) that was converted to 44 special by John Gallagher Custom guns some years ago. Condition looks to be very good to excellent, with Magna grips on it. He's asking $1300.

The same guy also has a pre war long action N frame, that has a 1950 Target model 6.5" barrel with partridge front site on it and it's chambered in 45ACP. Condition is also VG to Exec from the photos and it has diamond Magna's on it. Asking $1100 for that one.

Both prices seem high to me, given that I haven't actually held either one in my hands. But I may be missing something.

 

[JohnRippert]

The .44 Special seems about a third too high to me. The 1950 Target seems closer to a decent price.

 

[Smolt Smython]

@johnrippert
An unmolested Gallagher N Frame build at $1300 is over priced..??
What planet do you live on?
John passed from throat cancer in 2020, his builds live on....
It would be a outstanding bargain at twice that price.

 

[dsf]

Beware of the "IKEA Effect" when it comes to custom guns - especially if it's with the fellow who did the work or had the work done. About $750.00 would be my guesstimate on the Model 28.

 

[rct269]

Well it seems we have two schools of thought here--------one from folks who know and another from folks who don't know. I reckon that makes for an average day.

I do know about custom guns in general-----------they are in demand. The good ones are in higher demand than the not so good ones----a fairly normal situation. My quick and dirty research suggests Gallagher's one of the good ones, and you would do well to snap that sucker up!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[BigBill]

Decades ago I said any n frame $1,000 and under is a deal. Fast forward to today any n frame at $1,300 and under is a deal today. Custom quality workmanship varies.

The days of making gun deals or steals is few and far between. It's not the old days anymore. We're seeing $70k pickup trucks.

Note, but how rare is it? How bad you want it? Does the price matter?

I go by my first gut feeling, I grab my plastic or if I second guess myself I turn n burn.

 

[Kansasgunner]

Here's an example of the late John Gallaghers work. The man did amazing work on S&Ws, Colts and rifles.
This is a transitional 38/44 Outdoorsman converted to 44 Special.
I would give the $1,300 in a heartbeat if it looks anything like my gun. Oh, and his guns shoot every bit as good as they look!

 

[Nightowl]

Back in the day, when Smith was no longer making the .44 Special, Ole Skeeter Skelton made the conversion of model 28s to .44 Special the subject of several gun rag articles. Seems that a lot of them were done due to his influence.
To me the important thing is how well the work was done and all the necessary checks for functioning and cosmetics. You have to decide of it is of value to you.

 

[biblethumpincop]

I saw the ad for the gun. Almost looks like it's missing the a barrel pin? Nice looking gun.

 

[hittman77]

Those guns are worth every penny YOU think they are. Yours is the only opinion that matters.

For some folks, a "custom" gun is worth whatever you can get for the parts. Once the gun is no longer original ….. its ruined.

Other folks really like the mods.

 

[tominboise]

To be honest, I am probably more interested in the 45ACP that he has. I have a 4" 624 in the safe already. But if I can make a deal for both of them at a reasonable price, I would buy them both.

 

[StrawHat]

…The same guy also has a pre war long action N frame, that has a 1950 Target model 6.5" barrel with partridge front site on it and it's chambered in 45ACP. Condition is also VG to Exec from the photos and it has diamond Magna's on it. Asking $1100 for that one...

A long action N frame with a Model 1950 barrel, Patridge sight mentioned but nothing about an adjustable rear sight?

That doesn't sound like a deal to me. And I like ACP revolvers!

Kevin

 

[tominboise]

A long action N frame with a Model 1950 barrel, Patridge sight mentioned but nothing about an adjustable rear sight?

That doesn't sound like a deal to me. And I like ACP revolvers!

Kevin

The rear sight is adjustable. I am not sure what model it was originally built on.

 

[biblethumpincop]

Here is the .45acp from the same guy.

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

I would like the 28,but a bit pricy i think

 

[StrawHat]

Here is the .45acp from the same guy.

There were only very few Commercial 1917s and not many set up with adjustable sights (if any).

Are there any military markings on the frame? I would guess it is a plain frame that has had the rear sight added. Close ups of the rear sight would help. Some fellows on this forum can tell you a lot just from seeing the sight.

Serial number?

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

I looked again at the photographs. I do not see the S&W emblem on the left side of the frame. That leads me to believe it is a reworked 1917 frame.

This might get more responses in it's own thread.

Kevin

 

[Capt. F.]

Ok, here's my TCW. I had this model 27 converted to .44 Special five years ago by a well known gunsmith who no longer works on Smiths.
I paid $750 for the gun and $900 for the work done which included reboring, re-chambering, new front ramp/sight and rebluing. So that's $1650 FIVE YEARS AGO!
So $1300 for quality work done by a well known gunsmith?
In a heartbeat!

 

[jimmyj]

In the 1970 era it was a common practice to convert Model 28s to a larger caliber (.44 mag. .45acp, etc). Barrels and cylinders could be purchased from S&W, until the S&W Folks found out about the convertions.

 

[stansdds]

I have yet to look at this gun, but a local has a 4" Model 28 (don't know what dash number) that was converted to 44 special by John Gallagher Custom guns some years ago. Condition looks to be very good to excellent, with Magna grips on it. He's asking $1300.

The same guy also has a pre war long action N frame, that has a 1950 Target model 6.5" barrel with partridge front site on it and it's chambered in 45ACP. Condition is also VG to Exec from the photos and it has diamond Magna's on it. Asking $1100 for that one.

Both prices seem high to me, given that I haven't actually held either one in my hands. But I may be missing something.

Condition means a lot. If they are 98% or better in condition, those prices may not out of line these days. Any N-frame in excellent condition is going to have a starting price near $1000 these days. As for the Gallagher custom conversion, does it come with documentation? Condition and documentation are important to the value of professionally modified firearms. A lot of Model 28's were converted to larger calibers back in the day and by a pretty large number of gunsmiths. I'd wager that some conversions were not even by professional gunsmiths, but were DIY projects.

Also, consider today if you were lucky and picked up a used Model 28, the revolver would likely cost at least $700 in today's market, then the cost of obtaining barrel and cylinder, having it all fitted and refinishing the converted revolver you will be beyond $1000, likely more in the $1500 area. How bad do you want a 44 Special S&W revolver built on a Model 28 frame?