I picked up a very nice Pre-18 5-screw manufactured in 1950. I'm wondering what the period correct box would be. Would it be the gold K-22 Masterpiece Box? The only ones of those I seem to come across are for 6" barrels. Were there some marked for the 4" barrel Combat Masterpieces? Thanks.

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1891SingleShot

I've got a Pre 18 from 1951 which I am almost positive is in the original box. The box is a Gold K-22 Masterpiece with a white sticker that says " Smith & Wesson 22 Combat Masterpiece 4 Inch Barrel Blue Finish", however the other end of the box with the original blue printing shows "Blue Finish 6" Barrel"

I agree with Rusty. For such an early pre 18, Smith likely did not yet have a specific box for the 4" CM and the temporary white label is common for many models. Often the boxes have lost the white sticker over time.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks for the response. I also have my grandfather's 4-screw Pre-18 with the box, which shipped in 1956. That one has the blue box with the solid line around the top of the lid, but I believe they started using those in the mid-1950's.

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1891SingleShot

a friend of mine has an early one in the gray box, but I don't have access to the serial# at the moment.

I have one in the 210 thousand range- gold box, white label.