S&W Collectors

GunSquad · #1 07-02-2018, 04:19 PM

If you're a collector of S&W or for this matter any firearms collector; how do you, or what are your tips, for preserving any original boxes, papers, or original extra items that came with your firearms.
The weather conditions in the southern states, and coastal areas make it considerably challenging with the salt air, and high humidity levels.
As you know, many collectors value and pay top dollar when the firearms come with there original items.

glowe · #2 07-02-2018, 05:37 PM

I buy boxes that have been in high humidity climates to repair them in order that they keep going for many more years. The first thing to do for storage of items like boxes and papers is to keep them high in an open storage area allowing air circulation, with air conditioning available to keep humidity down. Never stack them on top of one another and never store your guns in their original boxes. I hate to see a gun box get tossed, so I watch auctions to salvage them from the trash can. They can look pretty bad when I get them, but at least I can bring them back to structurally sound to live on for years to come. Bottom line is that there is nothing that cannot be restored, so don't toss anything. Here is one example. Now all I have to do is find a 1910s 6" square butt M&P.

Dakotakid · #3 07-02-2018, 06:11 PM

very, very nice--have 2 gold picure boxes that may need help sme time---not yet tho---got to decide what to do with what goes in there

JH1951 · #4 07-02-2018, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

I buy boxes that have been in high humidity climates to repair them in order that they keep going for many more years. ............
so I watch auctions to salvage them from the trash can. They can look pretty bad when I get them, but at least I can bring them back to structurally sound to live on for years to come. Bottom line is that there is nothing that cannot be restored, so don't toss anything. Here is one example. Now all I have to do is find a 1910s 6" square butt M&P.

You and I share that passion!
You do go into more depth than I.....

cgt4570 · #5 07-02-2018, 08:40 PM

I only have a few early pre-war boxes and papers but I just keep them on the top shelf of one of my heated safes in the garage. So far so good after several years. I bought several cheap digital thermometer/hygrometers on Ebay (Like a buck a piece). That way as soon as I open a safe, I can tell that all is well.

GunSquad · #6 07-03-2018, 11:26 AM

@glowe Wow!

Love your reply. Love the before and after. How did you go about adhering the corners of the box together, if you don't mind explaining a little more.
I salute you for your service to the country, and for your preservation of an overlooked firearms items.

glowe · #7 07-03-2018, 01:11 PM

Kind of depends on whether the box is cloth covered or paper. Cloth is relatively easy for corner repairs since thin silk cloth is cut and used as reinforcing on the outside after the corners are glued back together. I use a strong wood glue to glue corners. If paper, I usually reinforce the inside corners. Many beat up boxes have lost part or all of the inner bottom liner. I usually make a new rectangular liner complete with cloth or paper as they were originally made. I had to do that with the 38 M&P box. That also gives the base great strength when reshaping the outer pasteboard and gluing it to the inside liner to get it back to original.

I repaired a 22-32 HFT 1920s box that was taped all over the exterior and the inner bottom section liner was ruined. Here is what I started with.

glowe · #8 07-03-2018, 01:17 PM

I am not interested in trying to restore these boxes to as-new condition, but have to touch up repairs with acrylic paints to blend with the original colors. This box required a complete Earl Shibe paint job due to the clear tape that had to be removed. I like that a hundred year old box looks its age and shows the wear of time, while strong enough to function as originally intended.

Here is the repaired 22/32 box.

Cal44 · #9 07-03-2018, 01:19 PM

I tossed all the boxes for Smiths I bought back in the 1970'a and 80's.

At the time I didn't know they would be valuable some day.

But if you keep everything that might some day be valuable, by the time you reach middle age you will have so much stuff your house will be full to the rafters and you won't be able to find anything anyway.

I did keep some of the brochures and papers that came with the guns and maybe some day I'll collect them together and offer to give them to collectors here on the forum.

S&WsRsweet · #10 07-04-2018, 07:16 AM

Wow glowe you are a man of many talents , cool thread cool information