Ball-park older S&W M-28 value?

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Float Pilot

Float Pilot

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Kachemak Bay Alaska
I inherited an S prefix model 28 , 6 inch. S-2166xx
Screw in front of the trigger guard.
For some bizarre reason my dad threw away the original grips back in the early 1960s and installed some crappy looking fake bone grips which have since cracked. So I have a set of 1970s vintage target size grips on there as a stop-gap measure.
I have three 357 mags and I almost never shoot or carry any of them.
I would say the matte bluing is about 85-90%, the action is very tight, it sat inside a cabinet for the last 30 years wrapped in an oily tee-shirt.
What general price range do these gather on the modern market?
Up here in Alaska 357s are not fast movers unless they are pocket-lightweights.
 
Around here, without the original grips but still in good condition will probably bring around $400. Being the longer barrel hurts it a little too, most people seem want the 4" barrel.
 
I saw one today, usually good prices here. THEY WANT $799 :banghead: :banghead: :barf: :cuss: Oh well, I was told that things are extremely busy. Someone else said crazier than he's ever seen. Oh that gun was a mod 28 not a 27. The store was packed in the middle of a Tues. and the cars shocked me pulling in.
 
Four to 600 dollars depending on vintage and condition of the piece. Some folks seem to go bonkers for old large framed S&W revolvers I'm not one of them preferring the K-framed ones.
 
Darn shame about the stocks. Your gun is '60-'61 vintage and would have had diamond magnas. Those are worth a pretty penny on their own & missing them will detract from the value. It wouldn't be a big deal to me because I actually prefer the target stocks, but having the originals would up the price.

Here in Kalifornistan that would probably go for around five-ish, sixish maybe. A mechanically new but with some minor finish issues 4" P&R with original diamond magna stocks recently went very quickly in my area for $700.
 
I would quote you the bluebook value, but for S&W revolvers it's
just a guide. I would estimate a 6" M28 with no box, papers, etc.
and no oem grips at $400-450.

I have a 6" M28-2 NIB unfired: (This one will not go for $400)

SW_M28-2-unf_2.gif
 
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Those fake bone grips must have been all the rage in the 1960s. I have a pair on my Dad's 1936 Colt Woodsman.
 
Locally for sale is a 6", 95% specimen for $650. It's been sitting for awhile at that price.

Ball-park values for shooters in Good to Excellent condition: ~ $500-$600
 
Model 28 prices are all over the place. Some 4" versions have recently sold for well over $600.
Just last summer I had tried to sell a 4" 28-2, w. box and in excellent condition for $550...then $500. posted it on several sites, but no takers. Took it to a gun show, priced to sell at $450, no takers...not even the dealer that was trying to sell a worn out (50%) 4" 28 for $850 :eek:
But all is well. A gentleman traded a very nice 1953 Combat Masterpiece for it.

out with the old...

swhp282013re.jpg


in with the new...

k22cm027.JPG
 
Those fake bone grips must have been all the rage in the 1960s. I have a pair on my Dad's 1936 Colt Woodsman.
Click to expand...

They were. Just about every other TV cowboy had them on his six-shooter. So, everyone else wanted them.

I think all my cap guns back then did. :)
 
mope540: Very nice guns. Thanks for the eye candy!

I wish I could luck into an affordable 4" 28. The last time I was shopping for one, a guy wanted $450...and I passed. It was a few years back and I was an idiot. :banghead:
 
Well I think I have the camera working again. The cold does weird things to digital cameras.

I found what I think were the original grips in a can full of other odd-ball items. They are really worn on one side by something like a pack-frame.

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Oh I have some of the larger magnum style grips from a M-29 and I even have a fairly new set of the small N-frame grips from the latter Model 28s.
BUT, they are not period correct for a M-28 made in 1960.
The old Diamond type, small grips go for $200 if they are good shape.
 
If those are the original stocks, the serial number will be stamped on the inside of the right stock. Whatever you do, don't toss the stocks. The revolver is worth more, regardless the condition of the original stocks. For shooting, you could put on a set of Hogue or Pachmayr rubber stocks; or invest in a set of Ahrends or other good quality after-market wooden stocks.
 
I checked the serial number in the old stocks and they go to # 203876 an even earlier S&W. I know he had a 3 1/2 in bbl model 27 that he carried around for years as well, so maybe they went to that revolver.

I took this old gal out today, (after lots of snow shoveling) to see if she could compete with my old Colt Python.
I screwed on a set of more modern (1970s) Model 28 grips for the range session.

25 yards, temp 20 F, light snow failing light.

Rem 158 grain jacketed soft points: 1,330 fps average and a 3.5 inch group
Fed 158 Grain jacketed soft points: 1,220 fps average and a 5.0 inch group
Fed 125 Grain jacketed Hollow pt : 1,480 fps average and a 5.5 inch group

The Remington factory loads were all within 5 fps of each other.
The Federal ammo was all over the place velocity wise.

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