Registered Magnum box - RM Boxes

[model3sw]

I've been out of touch with some peripheral prices and values for the past 10 years or so. I was much amazed to find some items have been selling on auction sites for so much money with bids so far in advance of auction it gives me pause as to whether a particular auction is "for real" or just the seller shilling his own auctions.

Once I believe that an auction has gone viral or seems to be way out of sync with reality ... I won't bid on it if it were the holy grail itself.

What are the average / fair prices on RM Boxes, just a few to give me a concept of what the going price is. e.g. barrel size & condition of box with average selling prices.

Understand I hold Florida State Auctions House License, thus, I fully understand that ... at certain times ... value is what someone is willing to pay for it, but, when I see automatic bids put in 5 days before auction time give me a legitimate concern that there's likely some sort of hanky-panky or shill bidding going on.

 

[squidsix]

I have only ever seen them on Ebay, and never for less than $1k.

 

[lowhog]

One just sold on ebay in so so condition for around 500.00. I have seen nice example go for 1,500.00+

 

[gjamison]

theres one on there right now for just over a grand...

 

[RKmesa]

Condition, Condition, Condition (and Box Size)

I have 10 prewar 357 boxes: 3 large ones (15.25" x 5.25"), 6 medium ones (13" x 5"), and 1 small one (11.5" x 4.5"). They range in condition from "very nice" to "missing a corner". The prices I have paid for pre-war 357 boxes purchased separate from the guns themselves range from $300 to over $1K, with the price increasing with the condition and scarcity of the box. I have only seen one small box in person (it is the one that I own) and no other ones for sale. As such, I would expect that the small boxes would demand a premium. Interestingly, the small box still has a legible SN on the tape on the bottom, which indicates that it shipped with a post war gun.

Any post on pre-war 357's needs to have photos, therefore here is a photo of my nicest box. I have not seen another large box in the condition of this box. Therefore, it would take a lot of $'s to break this one loose from my collection - probably not for sale at any price.

 

[ditrina]

The last one I saw on Gunbroker sold for $ 853.00

Excellent Condition with two pcs. of paper work..

The " Caution Sheet" and the " This Revolver is Guaranteed" Sheet.. Plus the " Spare" White Outline Rear Sight Blade..

 

[rburg]

Boxes are hot. And have been for a couple of decades now. Once upon a time Ray Brazile had a box on a little card table like thing at a gun show. It was behind the main table. I looked at it and realized it wasn't the more common Heavy Duty or Outdoorsman box, this was an genuine RM box and it was maybe 2000 or so. He saw me lusting after it and begging for any kind of accommodation on the price. He's a hard man sometimes. So I put my tail between my legs and slunk back to our tables. My then partner John took one look and asked the story. It took maybe 2 full minutes to get it out and to have him tell me not to be a fool, $300 just isn't enough money to quibble about. So knowing he was right, I almost ran back only to find a much smarter buyer had already hauled it off. I still regret it.

And then our poster at that time, Manny, found the box for his RM. He had everything except that box. And the low life scoundrel who had sold him the gun demanded $3000 for the musty old piece of cardboard. So he paid up then yelled about it for a long time afterward. Sure, it cost him too much, but I think I remember him selling the package later for about $15,000.

We're dealing with an open market. There was only a limited number produced and boxes are soft and flimsy. Guns are hard parts, made of steel and wood. We've suggested at times there were maybe 15% or maybe even 20% of the guns still surviving. If I had to guess how many boxes, I'd say well under 5% of them still out and about. Gun owners realize they add more to the value of the package than they cost, sometime multiples.

In the early 1990s I stopped at a table at a gun show. The vendor sold books and had maybe an end cap and 4 or 5 tables down each side. On the last table he had a pile of boxes. He had a crudely lettered sign that said $25 a box. But I wanted two boxes, one a nice pretty red picture box of a K22 and a similar quality gold K22 box. I negotiated him down to $20 each/$40 for the pair. He was happy and I was happy. And my buddies couldn't stop laughing at me for blowing big bucks on two old boxes. Of course they always tossed theirs out when they got a new gun. I'm guessing that today those same two boxes would bring a total of maybe $500. Just for fun try locating a box for a 1940 K22 Masterpiece. If you look long enough, they might surface. Hopefully from an ignorant seller who has no clue.

Every time I glance at my small collection and see the boxes on the shelf, I'm reminded of my ill spent youth. When my dad would take me to the gun shop on Saturday morning and I could look through the glass case at the handguns up front and the other full boxes behind them. It makes me feel good. So good I can't explain it, but to me worth what I've paid for them. And I feel pretty confident I could at least get my money back if I tried. They may even be appreciating faster than inflation or my sorry IRA, surely faster than my meager interest bearing checking account. Whats not to like?

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I have a 1917 Commercial box that is absolutley Mint. I think it is more rare than a RM box. I've had it at two Annuals and had only one person ask me a price on it. Maybe people didn't realize what I have. Before anyone asks, no I didn't get it out of a dumpster at Smith & Wesson. I saved it before it went in the dumpster!

 

[bettis1]

Have to agree with Richard and Dick. Think a long time before you pass up a good one.

Several SWCA meetings back I looked at a pristine K22/40 box that was priced at $1000. Since I didn't have a gun for it I was debating the wisdom of spending that kind of money just "Betting on the Come". As soon as I set it back on the table a hand reached over my shoulder and dropped 10 Franklins and picked it up without any conversation.

(I have second guessed myself many times but my patience was justified a few weeks ago when I found the gun and original box in 99% condition...but if I had it to do over, I should have taken the first box,too.)

Bob

 

[RKmesa]

[A] few weeks ago ... I found the gun and original box in 99% condition...
Bob

Bob:

Still waiting for some photos of that 22/40...

 

[boykinlp]

(I have second guessed myself many times but my patience was justified a few weeks ago when I found the gun and original box in 99% condition...but if I had it to do over, I should have taken the first box,too.)

Bob

Bob, have you shown us the pictures of this package??

 

[GF]

Here's a picture of over $30,000 worth of RM boxes that Mr Burg and I slipped up on for a quick photo...

... with $?$ worth of RM's inside!

Hanging out with Burg is gonna' break me!

GF

 

[rburg]

Hanging out with Burg is gonna' break me!

GF

If you listened and took advice, you'd also have a great collection. When have I attempted to steer you wrong? As I recall at the last gun show you had first dibs on the M1950 target but turned it down. You had the chance to consider it for a reasonable length of time, but inertia was just too great.

 

[boykinlp]

Here's a picture of over $30,000 worth of RM boxes that Mr Burg and I slipped up on for a quick photo...... with $?$ worth of RM's inside!

Hanging out with Burg is gonna' break me!

GF

WOW, where was this picture taken........heaven?

 

[KJM]

Here's a picture of over $30,000 worth of RM boxes that Mr Burg and I slipped up on for a quick photo...

... with $?$ worth of RM's inside!

Hanging out with Burg is gonna' break me!

GF

Are these Cheely's?

 

[bettis1]

Bob:

Still waiting for some photos of that 22/40...

Richard,

Just savin' that one for a slow day...(You guys well know that "The thrill is in the chase". That one is buried in the rest of the detritus now)

Bob

 

[Toyman]

Here is a non registered magnum 3 1/2 inch with short RM box.

 

[rburg]

Are these Cheely's?

Yep. On David Carroll's table at National Gun Day in September.

 

[RKmesa]

Here is a non registered magnum 3 1/2 inch with short RM box.

Beautiful gun and beautiful box!

 

[RKmesa]

You guys well know that "The thrill is in the chase".
Bob

Bob:

Yes, I know that feeling all too well. And right now, I'm "chasing" some photos of a 99% K22-40, with matching box and paperwork.