View media item 7I purchased this pre-model 28 Highway Patrolman at a LGS last week for under $600 out the door. I think it looks pretty good for a 60 year old gun. Obviously its been carried from the wear on the end of the barrel and on the right hand grip panel. This is my first N frame
Highway Patrolman
- Thread starter Jonesy814
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Dave Markowitz
Member
Nice find.
VINTAGE-SLOTCARS
member
This has been one of my bucket guns, got a 4" this year.
The shop had the Highway Patrolman and a decent 6 inch 686-4 for $50 less. A 686-4 with 6 inch barrel was on my list but mostly because I hadn't considered the N frame. I really like stainless and the full under lug but I see 686's fairly often. A pre model numbered Highway Patrolman is a lot harder to come across so that's what I opted for. Also, I have a 4 inch 686 so this was something different.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
Nice.
If I had come across that five screw Highway Patrolman I wouldn't even have looked at the 686. Just not interested in modern Stainless guns. Don't care for full length underlugs either. I have three Model 28s. I'm still looking for a pre-28.
Not a bad price either.
Nice.
If I had come across that five screw Highway Patrolman I wouldn't even have looked at the 686. Just not interested in modern Stainless guns. Don't care for full length underlugs either. I have three Model 28s. I'm still looking for a pre-28.
Not a bad price either.
1KPerDay
Member
Congrats. You made the right choice.
the count
Member
I had a new in box 28 in my safe for years when I decided to sell off the safe queens and get modern shooters instead. It was a real beauty, think it sold for about $800 on gunbroker. If I learned one lesson its that vintage Colts appreciate much better than S&W.
Some Colts do, the Python is a prime example, but others not so much. I sold off a Colt Official Police to help fund the Highway Patrolman. The Official Police does not bring big money at all and in general is probably harder to sell than a S&W model 10. The Colt "snake" guns do well but others not so much.
the count
Member
Yep you are mostly right. The snake guns are the ones in demand. Having the original box can make a big difference in what you get.
bannockburn
Member
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Jonesy814
Great choice! If I had to choose between a vintage Model 28 or a Model 686 I would have done the same as you did and gone with the Model 28.
Great choice! If I had to choose between a vintage Model 28 or a Model 686 I would have done the same as you did and gone with the Model 28.
Twmaster
Member
That's a sweet piece. I have it's younger brother. 1969 4" Model 28. Was one of the first 100 guns made after the 1969 serial number changeover. Was also a Texas Dept. of Public Safety gun that was issued to a State Trooper.
Without question one of my favorite wheel guns. I take it out to play regularly.
Without question one of my favorite wheel guns. I take it out to play regularly.
Blacksmoke
Member
That is hard to figure. The Colt OP is a better gun in my opinion although the 10 lacks nothing I can think of. The Colt OP frame is a little larger and the trigger a bit smoother. I like the grip better on the Colt.
I've noticed Troopers and 3 5 7s have gone up quite a bit also, the Official Police not so much because they made so many of them. The Trigger on my '65 Trooper is as good as my Python.
Nice gun in the OP.
There are 2 things holding back the Official Police in my opinion. One is that if something breaks the old Colt designs are very difficult to find parts for and find someone knowledgeable to work on them. The second thing is they are a big heavy revolver for just the 38 special cartridge.
DM~
Member
Over the years, I've owned a number of them...
The last one I had, I had a guy convert it to 44 spl., but they all are now gone, replaced with something I liked even better.
DM
The last one I had, I had a guy convert it to 44 spl., but they all are now gone, replaced with something I liked even better.
DM
Fishslayer
Member
The diamond went away in 1968.
Ummm... y'all that are making comparisons you DO reallize that the HP & 586/686 are completely different animals, right?
The Model 28 Highway Patrolman was made as a less expensive alternative to the Model 27, primarily for police officers. In practice, the differences were that the Model 28 is less highly polished, and options like barrel length are limited. Questions to S&W at the time the Model 28 was introduced received the reply that the differences were cosmetic and exterior; interior work and finish, and accuracy, were the same, to the same standards. My experiences have confirmed that.
Jim
Jim
Fishslayer
Member
A '64 vintage HP was my first S&W revolver. It was all over for me & my wallet hasn't been the same since. I call ramen noodles & PB&J sammiches the "Smith & Wesson diet."
texagun
Member
I recently bought an unfired from the factory LNIB 28-2 from my best friend who has had it stashed in his closet for years. He finally weakened and sold it to me. It has the box and all the papers and tools that originally came with it. I have not shot it yet and doubt that I will.
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