So I'm looking at a used gun the other day that had no box. I only even asked about it because of this place.Then it occurred to me that the majority of the used guns I did buy didn't always have one .Presentation cases are a different story.I always turned in the box and paperwork when I traded or sold a gun,so I'm wondering what most people did with them. I have to leave out the idea that gun shops or people collected them years ago since they use to be of little or no value on either a trade in or a buy.How have some of the used guns you guys bought came.
Did the gun boxes get thrown out?
- Thread starter Laketime
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
The only one I ever bought that included the box & accessories was a M63 from an estate auction of a collector. I think most people eventually trashed their box.
The only used guns Ive bought that came with an original box was a series 70 colt and a customized Springfield GI.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
I look at it this way: How many cardboard Craftsman power drill boxes are still around?
For most folks, the handgun was/is a tool. Boxes were/are superfluous to the purpose of the tool.
For most folks, the handgun was/is a tool. Boxes were/are superfluous to the purpose of the tool.
italiansport
Member
Believe it on not:
I've seen people even today buy a gun at a gunshow and then proceed to throw the box into the nearest trash barrel. I've retrieved a few good ones that way.
Jim
I've seen people even today buy a gun at a gunshow and then proceed to throw the box into the nearest trash barrel. I've retrieved a few good ones that way.
Jim
Dueeast
Member
Every new gun I've ever bought, I save the box.(I like to think of it as a nice selling point). Every used gun I ever bought did not have the box.
Big Cholla
Member
I taught the CCW class for a LGS here for several years. The older owner decided to retire and told us all that he would be closing and retiring. He offered us all the remaining inventory at his cost. I took liberal advantage of that offer. Then on the last day he asked me if I would be interested in a closet full of mainly S&W factory boxes. I thought about it for about two seconds and turned him down. :-( That was about 1996/7. He offered again saying a lot of the boxes still had the factory cleaning kit in them and some even had the factory stocks that the buyers didn't want. I made the mistake of that century (for me) and still turned him down. And I was driving my pickup truck that day. I heard from him later that no one would take any of the factory boxes and they all went to the city dump. :-( I still wince every time I think about that. ........
Ow, that hurt me to read.
2/3 of my used S&W revolvers came without boxes. Folks chucked them. They still do. These "Shield" boxes (they fit model 14's right nice) were $5 each at last weeks show as was an M&P .45 clamshell that's big enough for 4 snubs. Joe
HorizontalMike
US Veteran
Still got my 686 S&W box from 1986. Works for me. I even have the Pachmayr "Gripper" box from the grips I originally replaced my Cocobolo OEM grips. I still have those Cocobolo grips NIB, that have not been on the gun since it left the LGS.
Now that I am in my 60s, ain't old 'chit great?!
Now that I am in my 60s, ain't old 'chit great?!
Man...you need to be let loose barefoot in the middle of the biggest cactus patch in Nevada for letting that tragic event happen!
Last edited:
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
I have S&W boxes for guns I no longer have. One, for a 6-inch M617 I bought in 1989, I keep my varmint, turkey, and deer calls in.
Ramblings on Boxes:
S&W's traditional box was a two-piece cardboard design with metal reinforced corners. It was a robust box, and even on casual inspection it was obviously a quality item, something special intended for long term storage. S&W had used a box like that since at least the 1930's. Even though many of these box are 40+ years old, you find them still looking almost new.
In the early '80's S&W brought out a new style box. A one-piece cardboard clam shell design. Compared to the old box it was cheap looking. Barley a step above a Cap'n Crunch cereal box. I think these were routinely thrown away. Especially at first, when the memory of the old quality box was still fresh. As someone who pays closes attention to boxes, it's rare to find any of these one-piece box from before 1985, even though I believe they were introduced in 1982.
In 1995 S&W transitioned to a new blue plastic case for standard production. They've used a plastic case, of on style or another, on all product until relatively recent times. In 2006 I first noticed S&W using an even cheaper looking cardboard box on certain low priced J-frames. This box has grown in usage over the years and today ships with much of S&W's standard production.
Ramblings on Boxes:
S&W's traditional box was a two-piece cardboard design with metal reinforced corners. It was a robust box, and even on casual inspection it was obviously a quality item, something special intended for long term storage. S&W had used a box like that since at least the 1930's. Even though many of these box are 40+ years old, you find them still looking almost new.
In the early '80's S&W brought out a new style box. A one-piece cardboard clam shell design. Compared to the old box it was cheap looking. Barley a step above a Cap'n Crunch cereal box. I think these were routinely thrown away. Especially at first, when the memory of the old quality box was still fresh. As someone who pays closes attention to boxes, it's rare to find any of these one-piece box from before 1985, even though I believe they were introduced in 1982.
In 1995 S&W transitioned to a new blue plastic case for standard production. They've used a plastic case, of on style or another, on all product until relatively recent times. In 2006 I first noticed S&W using an even cheaper looking cardboard box on certain low priced J-frames. This box has grown in usage over the years and today ships with much of S&W's standard production.
That's a shame,but who knew at that time.
Boxes mean little to me. I've pretty much kept them all in a big box in the attic. I'll never sell the guns that came in them or use them ever again. Maybe I should have a box sale. BTW the last used gun I bought that came with a box/tools/paperwork was nickel 34-1. It too was tossed into the big box in the attic.
Arik
Member
Same as now. Sometimes you misplace them, damage, or just forgot about it. Half my guns don't have boxes and I have boxes for guns I sold years ago but forgot about that box
Arik
Member
A buddy of mine throws them in his fireplace
Arik
Member
This is how I look at it. If I'm selling my TV to you do you really care if I saved that box from years ago? Or a microwave or...or...
Arik
Member
Lololol[emoji38] [emoji38]Man...you need to be let loose barefoot in the middle of the biggest cactus patch in Nevada for letting that tragic event happen!
Similar threads
- Locked
