My First Revolver

• Apr 2, 2015

• #1

Abulg1972

Ultimate Member

Apr 11, 2014

4,234

Somewhere south of the Manson-Nixon Line

Okay, I never saw myself as a revolver guy until I shot my friend's S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman (.357 mag) with a 6" barrel. I truly fell in love with the revolver, particularly because of the trigger and the fact that I was putting rounds in a 2" group at 50 feet. Since then, I've been on the lookout for one that is old enough to be C&R and I finally picked one up through the broker this morning for $500. It's a 5-screw "pre-28" with a 6" barrel made between late 1954 and early 1955. There is some scattered rust on the frame which should clean up nicely with some penetrating oil and brass wool. The grips on this one might have been refinished, but I'm thinking (and hoping) that it's just the flash and crappy pictures. My friend paid almost $1,200 for his, which is in a bit better condition. Either way, I think I did well for a nice shooter, although I admit I know next to nothing about S&W revolvers and what they should and shouldn't look like.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #2

Biggfoot44

Ultimate Member

Aug 2, 2009

33,160

Congradulations.

Time to pay a visit to smith-wessonforum. ( Yes, the dash in the name is important.) You can find more information on Highway Patrolmans than you can concieve of.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #3

echo6mike

Ultimate Member

Feb 1, 2013

1,794

Close to DC

Oh, now that right there is pretty! Looks like a nice catch, and $500 is pretty good from what I know of the values.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #4

Doctor_M

Certified Mad Scientist

MDS Supporter

Feb 28, 2013

24,063

The People's Republic of Maryland (Carroll County)

Welcome to the dark side... nothing wrong with a good old wheel-gun. Nice pick-up.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #5

Abulg1972

Ultimate Member

Apr 11, 2014

4,234

Somewhere south of the Manson-Nixon Line

Thanks! Blue Book shows a value range of between $850 (100%) to $450 (80%), with a 30% premium added for a 5 screw pre-28.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #6

eruby

Confederate Jew

MDS Supporter

Apr 25, 2008

33,487

Carroll County, People's Republic of Maryland

That is a GREAT looking gun!

'If that don't teach you a lesson
Might show you his Smith & Wesson'

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #7

CasualObserver

Who Observes the Observer

Apr 27, 2012

1,266

Maryland Born Now in Vermont

Congrats... I have been eyeing them myself (including that one) but just haven't been able to pull the trigger yet so to speak.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #8

Abulg1972

Ultimate Member

Apr 11, 2014

4,234

Somewhere south of the Manson-Nixon Line

CasualObserver said:

Congrats... I have been eyeing them myself (including that one) but just haven't been able to pull the trigger yet so to speak.

Click to expand...

I was also watching one with a 4" barrel that ends shortly. It started at $499 and is now up to $615. I guess someone might want the shorter barrel for carry.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #9

Bob A

όυ φροντισ

MDS Supporter

Patriot Picket

Nov 11, 2009

30,923

Good work. Five-screw Smiths are the bee's knees, the cat's pajamas.

I suspect you won't stop at one.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #10

Hicap

Magazine Clips

Jun 10, 2012

647

Nice find! I think somebody has replaced the original grips with newer ones. 50's era should have diamond grips.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #11

Sundazes

Throbbing Member

MDS Supporter

Nov 13, 2006

21,567

Arkham

Cool karma. I am in.


Seriously, awesome find. I love my wheel guns.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #12

j_h_smith

Ultimate Member

Jul 28, 2007

28,516

Great purchase. You will quickly fall in love with this revolver.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #13

Biggfoot44

Ultimate Member

Aug 2, 2009

33,160

HP's have been embraced by S&W collectors now , and the prices are climbing.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #14

Abulg1972

Ultimate Member

Apr 11, 2014

4,234

Somewhere south of the Manson-Nixon Line

Hicap said:

Nice find! I think somebody has replaced the original grips with newer ones. 50's era should have diamond grips.

Click to expand...

I was curious about the grips. Are vintage ones hard to find?

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #15

Rack&Roll

R.I.P

Patriot Picket

Jan 23, 2013

22,304

Bunkerville, MD

Nice pickup Abulg1972...you can find original grips on eBay and at gun shows. Going to be around $100 for a nice set.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #16

Abulg1972

Ultimate Member

Apr 11, 2014

4,234

Somewhere south of the Manson-Nixon Line

Rack&Roll said:

Nice pickup Abulg1972...you can find original grips on eBay and at gun shows. Going to be around $100 for a nice set.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm heading to the Raleigh gun show in a month so maybe I will find some there. Given that this isn't in perfect condition, I'm not so worried about 100% historical correctness but it would be nice to have a correct gun.

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #17

Abulg1972

Ultimate Member

Apr 11, 2014

4,234

Somewhere south of the Manson-Nixon Line

Interestingly, this same year HP with 4" barrel has grips that are similar (no diamond) to the ones on my 6". This one is going for much more than I paid. Do you think it's due to the 4" barrel? The bluing is not as nice as on mine. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=475409899

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #18

Uncle Duke

Ultimate Member

MDS Supporter

Feb 2, 2013

11,718

Not Far Enough from the City

Congrats on your purchase! I am mildly jealous.

No....that's not true. I am perhaps a bit more than mildly jealous!

Enjoy OP! One big grin of a gun there!

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #19

J

Jimbob2.0

Ultimate Member

Feb 20, 2008

16,600

Good first choice

 

• Apr 2, 2015

• #20

ma_deuce

Ultimate Member

Mar 2, 2011

3,113

Lovely Timonium, the Heart of Cummings Country

Not C&R, but here's my relatively-new-to-me 28-2. I always said I wasn't an N-frame guy because my paws are too small, but I love this one. $800 in 95%
condition, with box, papers, wrapper and tools. You got a good deal on yours, OP, Highway Patrolman prices have doubled in the past few years. Like someone else said, be sure to join the Smith & Wesson Forum and check out the Ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.

My gun came with the original Magna grips, which I find impossible to shoot with. Like with all of my S&Ws, I've replaced them with Kim Ahrends Retro Combat stocks. These are in a wood called Bubinga.

 

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