S&W Model 28 Value?

[Heatseeker]

I stopped in at a local shop today and saw a very nice 5 screw Model 28 HP on consignment. The shop says it is of early to mid 60's vintage(serial S190XXX). It has a matte blue finish which is easily 95%. The 6" barrel bore is bright and shiny with very strong rifling visible. There is a light to medium turn line on the cylinder, the inside of the frame has absolutely no cartridge marks on it, the top strap is clean and it locks up tight. Overall it is a nice looking piece except for the Pacmayr grips(yuk!).

Does $575 sound fair?

[dfletcher]

$575.00 isn't quite "treasure bath" time, but it's pretty good for that vintage. Not sure if making it correct requires diamond or plain service grips though. I bought some diamond ones for $50.00 but was told that's a pretty good price, so getting the right grips could bump you $75.00 or so?

[kurac]

If it has not been refinished, $575 is fair. If its a 5 screw frame that it is most likely 1957 or older

[B Strong]

I stopped in at a local shop today and saw a very nice 5 screw Model 28 HP on consignment. The shop says it is of early to mid 60's vintage(serial S190XXX). It has a matte blue finish which is easily 95%. The 6" barrel bore is bright and shiny with very strong rifling visible. There is a light to medium turn line on the cylinder, the inside of the frame has absolutely no cartridge marks on it, the top strap is clean and it locks up tight. Overall it is a nice looking piece except for the Pacmayr grips(yuk!).

Does $575 sound fair?

If it's a five screw, the piece is from the 1950's.

It sounds fair to me. You can't go wrong with an N frame Smith.

[-hanko]

28's were made from 1954-1986.

-hanko

[EOD3]

I've never seen a 28 with a matte blue finish? Does it show any signs of being refinished?

[Mr. Beretta]

Having purchased two 5 screw 6" pre model 28's in the last several months, your post caught my attention.

It sounds like you have an excellent example. The SN puts it around 1958 (SN S182000 to S194499) but sometime, late 1956 to 1957, the upper side plate screw was deleted at approx. Ser.# S171584. The only sure fire way to confirm the exact date would be a factory letter. The correct factory grips should be diamond centered stocks either target or magnas.

Even without the factory stocks, you described a nice N frame. Old school workmanship. In California, these guns are getting harder & harder to find. I'd paid $575.

Good Luck!

[dfletcher]

I've never seen a 28 with a matte blue finish? Does it show any signs of being refinished?

They're all matte finish really - or satin or brush blue or "not as shiney as the 27" depending on the terminology folks prefer. I'm not quite certain what the official factory nomenclature is but as years go by and compared to many of the current Smith finishes the basic 28 bluing looks better and better.

[BigDogatPlay]

If it is in fact a five screw and the finish is that good, $575 is more than fair. I'd be jumping on it.

[Heatseeker]

I'm going to go back tomorrow.

I made an inquiry about some correct grips from a source I recently used for a pair of magnas for an old M&P. He has one set of diamonds for $150, which is a little steep for my budget right now. So if I do pick it up, I'll have to live with the ugly rubber grips.

[saiga101]

$575 sounds about right at a shop however i got lucky found one like that at a yuba city gun show for $375 only blemish was a slight scratch under the end barrel. it seems to me (without seeing it) you might have little room to negotiate. eaither way great buy and one of most accurate 357 s ive ever shot.

[Heatseeker]

The only blemish I could find was a couple of very slight nicks on the side of the frame just above the trigger on the right side. Other than that it's cherry.

It was all I could do to walk out of there today. Now I'm excited to go back! I really like the older revos!

[Mr. Beretta]

"It was all I could do to walk out of there today. Now I'm excited to go back! I really like the older revos!"


Buy it!!!!

[Heatseeker]

Done! I had to put it on layaway, but I should have it within 30 days. It was not a five screw as previously believed, so the info posted by Mr. Beretta holds true. But it is a beautiful piece none the less.

[Mr. Beretta]

Congrats!

You did good!

With alittle TLC, that gun will out live us all.

When you get it, don't forget WE LOVE PICS !!!