[r.e.morris]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum, but does anyone have an idea of the approximate value of a S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman, new in the box, never fired? It was a birthday gift I bought myself, Feb.1982, for the purpose of possible comptition shooting. Unfortunately I never followed thru because of school & work at that time.

 

[rickyracer2]

I saw one sell locally in 80% condition for $450.00. So I would say 95% maybe $550.00.

 

[raul]

I traded my Highway Patrolman years ago...still feel sorry for that

 

[r.e.morris]

I'm torn between shooting it and leaving it mint. I have another .357, but it isn't a highway patrolman. When I bought this pistol, I even bought a wide hammer & trigger. Of course, they are still new in the package.

 

[Lone Star]

Ask on the S&W forum www.smith-wessonforum.com


But your gun is realistically going to sell for $300-400, depending on condition and the part of the country you are in and who knows enough about it to not pay the artificially inflated prices that some ask for M-28's today.

Lone Star

 

[mr44]

its un unfired smith in the blue paper box that is 25 years old might as well leave it un molested...

 

[will5a1]

Model 28 pricing has been increasing dramatically over the past two years - I would not be suprised if a mint 28 with box, paperwork and tools went for $500 or more. If you bought it in new in '82 it could be a 28-2, still pinned and recessed, which will bring a bit more collector interest, but a NIB 28-3 (the dash 3 was intro. in '82) will still bring a nice price. I am assuming actual mint, no turn line, unopened tool bag, all the paperwork and a nice box.

Tough decision, but you bought it for yourself on your birthday, will it give you more pleasure to shoot it or keep it as a safe queen? As an alternative consider getting a shooter grade HP and putting your mint one in the safe, I still see, though not as often as in previous years, nice 28's that are mechanically fine but may only have 60% - 80% finish left go for $350 or so.

 

[JB]

A 28 in excellent condition is probably a $300 gun to me, but I'm a cheapo. If it's truely new in the box and unfired outside of the factory, it would proabably bring $500 or more at auction.

 

[r.e.morris]

It is a M-28-2, SER/N95xxxx, new from the store, never fired, except maybe the factory, never cleaned. What do you mean by "pinned & recessed"?

 

[will5a1]

Pinned - means the barrel is pinned in place, look at your 28's frame and you will see a pin through the frame securing the barrel.

Recessed - Counterbored cylinders, i.e. the rim of the cartridge actually fits fliush with the rear of the cylinder face, the rims are surrounded or enclosed by the metal of the cylinder.

S&W introduced the 28-3 in 1982, eliminating the above features as a cost cutting measure, although there are appaerently some transitional 28-2's and 28-3 that share one or the other feature. The Highway Patrolman was discontinued in 1986, as they are not making any more of them and I think you can reasonably expect the value to continue to increase. Will it ever be as valuable or desireable as say a pre-war Registered Magnum - no, but more and more collectors are turning to higher condition 28's, and other less "desireable" classic Smiths as we are priced out of the market for the 27's, pre-27's, .38/44 HD's, etc. I'm probably not helping your dilemma any by being so long winded but you bought it for yourself, its a birthday gun, you should do whatever you want with it.

 

[r.e.morris]

Well, I have alot to think about. Thank you all for the information. r.e.morris

 

[Rod WMG]

This is difficult for me to admit, being a real shooter who can't stand to see a gun go unused and doesn't sell, but...if you haven't used it for all those years I'd say get rid of it. It's not that interesting to you, apparently.

I certainly wouldn't give over $400 for it, but you may well sell it for what's been suggested.