Help finding a correct box

justjohn3 · #1 09-20-2017, 02:02 AM

Hi All - I recently purchased a 4th Model Hand Ejector in .44 Spl and am curious where I might find the correct box for it? Gun Shows, obviously, but what about on line resources? I tried eBay and saw some there for $400! Really? Are they that much?

Also wonder if one of the experts here could tell me which is the correct box for this pistol? Is it the gold one? I tried doing searches here, but got no return, even on the work "box", but still saw one for sale in accessories. I searched gun broker for "box S&W packing" and got 57 pages of guns that had "box" in the heading.

Not looking for someone to do my work for me, just asking for a bit of direction. Thanks much!

chief38 · #2 09-20-2017, 05:32 AM

To find one in good condition will be quite expensive! Just like many other items, while the items do survive quite well, most of the original boxes are long gone.

I collect Lionel trains and have seen empty boxes sell for more than the Locomotive that came in it! The metal trains survived well, but many parents threw the boxes out the day after Christmas!

Simply a matter of supply & demand.

Your best bet would be to attend Gun Shows and occasionally look on-line; see if you stumble upon one. After all....... it's all about the quest - as Casper Gutman said in The Maltese Falcon...........

Texas Star · #3 09-20-2017, 05:49 AM

What's a 4th Model .44? The M-1950? Military or Target?

I doubt that you'll find a nice box for either for a reasonable price, but unless yiu're a collector you don't need a box, at those prices!

justjohn3 · #4 09-20-2017, 06:21 AM

It's the 1950 Military. Thanks for the replies. Patience, I'm blessed with, $400 for a cardboard box, not so much.

So is the gold box what I should be looking for?

I'd still like to figure out why I can't get a return on the search engine here. Seems like I'd get scads of hits on "box".

Wiregrassguy · #5 09-20-2017, 07:17 AM

Well, I did a forum search using "Model 21 Box" and came up with this:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/136656570-post8.html

Frankly, $400 for a period and model correct box is probably a bargain ATM. They only made around 1200 of these guns. So, they are rarer than Registered Magnums and pre-War NRMs.

22hipower · #6 09-20-2017, 09:09 AM

As mentioned in the link that Guy provided, I think some of them came in a box like this one. Assume yours is not nickel though. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Hondo44 · #7 09-20-2017, 09:22 AM

Yes, a rare box. They made more 3rd Model post war transitionals than 4th Models, and the transitionals are usually the rare ones!

Your serial # is above S75000, correct?

quinn · #8 09-20-2017, 09:36 AM

FWIW, my 1950 44 target (pre 24) came in the gold 1926 Target 44 box that is numbered to the gun. Unfortunately my pre 21 is boxless.

Targets Guy · #9 09-20-2017, 09:39 AM

check out gunsinternational every now and then. They at least have a catagory of gun boxes and cases to browse.

Hondo44 · #10 09-20-2017, 09:48 AM

Here's an example of what was still used as late as 1955:

Do you need a 4" or 5" labeled box?

rburg · #11 09-20-2017, 05:12 PM

Wait, hold on a minute here. The OP want a "correct" box for his M1950. Well we can't even begin to guess before we know what barrel length. This isn't an easy thing.

The last time I looked, I think I had two of them living in my gun room. But they were maybe 5". Sometime I'll go look and also check what's living in them. Probably a ratty old long lost 44 of some kind. So you think the internet is high, wait till you see what I want to make one of my guns homeless! Some simple facts here. My guns live in boxes because I wasn't too cheap to buy them at the time and at the going rate.

So if you see one for sale, even for the wrong finish or length, let me know.

JSR III · #12 09-20-2017, 06:58 PM

Simple answer is gun plus moisture = rust.

Moisture plus cardboard box = mush.

rburg · #13 09-20-2017, 10:44 PM

Still waiting for Justjohn to return and tell us what length and what finish we're supposed to be looking for.

Hondo44 · #14 09-21-2017, 03:23 AM

At the gunshow this weekend, the group with tables near mine were talking about boxes, mostly what happens to most of the boxes. The usual opinions were discussed:

didn't even bring it home when the gun was purchased new,
misplaced,
thrown out,
oil spilled in it,
couldn't find it when I sold the gun,
wife cleaned out the closet,
stored in garage and was ruined by moisture, etc.

Then one guy pipes up: "I shot up all mine." We all looked at him. "Yeah when I take a new gun out to shoot the first time, I use the box as a target."

GRRRR!

justjohn3 · #15 09-21-2017, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Yes, a rare box. They made more 3rd Model post war transitionals than 4th Models, and the transitionals are usually the rare ones!

Your serial # is above S75000, correct?

Yes it is. Thanks for your reply!

justjohn3 · #16 09-21-2017, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rburg

Still waiting for Justjohn to return and tell us what length and what finish we're supposed to be looking for.

Sorry, gone to appointments all yesterday. It's a 4" blued model.

justjohn3 · #17 09-21-2017, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Here's an example of what was still used as late as 1955:

Do you need a 4" or 5" labeled box?

A 4", just like the one pictured.

Muley Gil · #18 09-21-2017, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

At the gunshow this weekend, the group with tables near mine were talking about boxes, mostly what happens to most of the boxes. The usual opinions were discussed:

didn't even bring it home when the gun was purchased new,
misplaced,
thrown out,
oil spilled in it,
couldn't find it when I sold the gun,
wife cleaned out the closet,
stored in garage and was ruined by moisture, etc.

Then one guy pipes up: "I shot up all mine." We all looked at him. "Yeah when I take a new gun out to shoot the first time, I use the box as a target."

GRRRR!

I used the two piece boxes to sort brass while reloading.