In my recent organization of M&P and other boxes I'm a little fuzzy on what boxes covered what years.

Say starting with the 1899 up to WWII should fix at least what I "think" I don't know. Include the .38 S&W Specials (aka 38 Military / 38 US Cartridge) and .32 Winchester (aka .32 WCF / .32-20 Ctg) M&Ps.

Is there a thread I missed when I searched ? Is there an article in one of the Journals or a book ? If not, can you give us a S&W Military & Polices boxes "101" (introduction to class) with pictures of the earlier box type ?

I'm pretty good with the post-war, then the change to the gold picture boxes, then to the flat finish blue boxes, to the early pre BP to about 1966, then next version pre-BPs then right into the BPs .... and that's all I need.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Sal, Good luck with the "organization" of early M&P boxes. It pretty clear from observed examples of guns still in their original boxes vs. ship dates, that S&W shipped their M&Ps in whatever box happened to come to the top of the pile in the shipping dep't. the day the gun got shipped. (Military shipped guns is a whole different subject ) Old or out of date boxes did not usually get thrown away and were used to ship guns until the supply was exhausted. I'm not an authority on K frame M&Ps and I don't recall any specific articles that covers the subject you are seeking info. about. Roy's opinion would probably be the best you can seek on the matter. Ed.

Beginning page 30 in the SCSW 3rd ed. and pg 52 in the 4th edition are the only references I'm aware of.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Sal, all I can add is that they were rectangular in shape and made out of cardboard. I think that they also said Smith and Wesson on the cover.

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James Redfield
LM #497

The 3rd or 4th edition of the S&W Catalog each have a section on boxes.
What you'll find is that they sometime overlap in their use and yes, as someone mentioned, there are times when someone just grabbed a box off the pile and shipped the revolver in it. The more recent plastic boxes seem to have been used with more consistency.

True, much less variation in plastic boxes and more generic except for size. Just slap on the right label

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Is a Pre-War Patent Box for a.38 M&P 2" box tough to find ? About how much would one cost in higher condition grades. I have this 2" box SN: 608700 in pencil on the rear.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425