Guns with presentation cases?

[waelkhntr]

How did guns ship with presentation cases? Specifically, the pre 29 with the blue/black satin lined cases. Did the gun ship in the case or did it ship in a separate box?
I have read that the 29's etc that shipped with the mahogany cases came in an unmarked blue box in a specifically designed shipping box containing both gun and display case.
What documents/flyers would have shipped with a pre29?

Thank You for your much appreciated and respected responses.

Terry

 

[RobertK3026]

I have a Nickel Model 27 with an 8 3/8 barrel that I still have, bought new in the 70's
I still have the cardboard box it came in.
Sorry never could figure out how to post pics.

 

[Truckman]

I've heard of guns shipping inside the cases, but one of my 29-2's shipped with gun in separate box with case...Both items were sealed in a shipping container with the label on the outside of the outer box......Ben

 

[Doc44]

I am certain 44 Magnums did not ship inside the blue presentation case. I remember seeing a notice in one of the cases saying do not ship the gun inside, but it is the only one I have seen. Other than that, with all of the 44 Magnums I have seen and owned from 1956-1959, I have no idea how they shipped from the factory. The only document I have seen with the early 44 Magnums is a warranty card numbered to the gun. It is possible prior to 1960, each 44 Magnum came with a Helpful Hints brochure, but again, I have never seen one associated with this model.

Bill

 

[waelkhntr]

Thank You everyone for the responses.
So, I guess that the plain blue unmarked box that I got is not the one that this pre29 shipped in from the factory back in 1957. Humm

Terry

 

[Rusty parrot]

Doc,
Do you think there’s a chance that vapor paper was wrapped on the Pre-29’s and then the gun was shipped in the blue/black case? You’re the professor on early 29s and if you have never seen a cardboard box for the gun I’d be willing to bet they did not exist.

 

[rct269]

It is my understanding ALL guns with presentation cases were shipped together, albeit with the gun in a separate box. I don't recall if the minutia ordinarily shipped with a gun was with the gun or with the case.

See Post #3.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Truckman]

Thank You everyone for the responses.
So, I guess that the plain blue unmarked box that I got is not the one that this pre29 shipped in from the factory back in 1957. Humm

Terry

Look at the pictures I posted above and you can see that the unmarked, unlabeled box is indeed likely to be original to the gun...Here's a better look at mine......Ben

EDIT: I misread your OP...You are referring to a .44 Magnum named revolver, and mine is a numbered model...Two different animals...So you may not have the original after all...

 

[kadams]

I have a model 27 83/8 nickel also

I have a Nickel Model 27 with an 8 3/8 barrel that I still have, bought new in the 70's
I still have the cardboard box it came in.
Sorry never could figure out how to post pics.

I'm curious to know when your gun shipped and what box did it come in?

 

[waelkhntr]

Truckman,
I'm specifically looking for information on named .44 magnum pre the numbering system. I know about the dash model29s and their boxes but not the pre models.

Thanks for your information

Look at the pictures I posted above and you can see that the unmarked, unlabeled box is indeed likely to be original to the gun...Here's a better look at mine......Ben

EDIT: I misread your OP...You are referring to a .44 Magnum named revolver, and mine is a numbered model...Two different animals...So you may not have the original after all...

 

[RobertK3026]

I'm curious to know when your gun shipped and what box did it come in?

I never have never checked for a shipping date.
My 27 was in a wooden presentation case with misc material and the wooden case was in a cardboard box with the serial number and model number on the box.
Like I said if I can learn to post pics I will.

 

[Doc44]

I reviewed the information in the S&WCA Journal dedicated to the 44 Magnum that was published in Spring 2003. The Journal was co-authored by myself and Bob Radaker. Figure 16 shows a case for a 44 Magnum, S155171. The case is contained in a cardboard box numbered to the revolver in black grease pencil. It is the only box numbered to a specific gun I have ever seen. I purchased about fifteen years ago, two cases for 44 Magnums that were most likely purchased separately from the factory and never used for a revolver. They also came in a cardboard box without a number that is like the box for S155171. The reason I don't think the revolver was shipped in the case is it would have torn up the case interior during shipment and the accessories would have possibly damaged the finish of the gun. I think this would have happened even if the gun was tightly wrapped in nox-rust paper. Again, this is my best guess, and I have never seen a separate box for a 44 Magnum revolver (so I may be wrong).

For S&WCA members who can access our Journals, go to Volume 37, Number 1, Spring 2003, Figure 16 on page 5 (pages are not numbered).

Bill

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Never bought a New one.
But several used ones I bought with everything that came from the Factory had the two piece plain, unlabeled, Blue Box.
That was inside a brown cardboard box with the Presentation Case.

 

[waelkhntr]

Bill,
Thank You for your research on this topic.
So, the blue/black case was shipped from S&W to the receiver in a cardboard box without the revolver but we still don't know how the revolver was shipped from S&W to the receiver correct?

Terry

 

[Hair Trigger]

It is my understanding ALL guns with presentation cases were shipped together, albeit with the gun in a separate box. I don't recall if the minutia ordinarily shipped with a gun was with the gun or with the case.

The SWHF Letter I requested after I bought my M27-2 states the gun was shipped inside the presentation case. I did not purchase this gun new, but I got the case and all accessories.

Look at the last line of the last paragraph.

 

[waelkhntr]

Hair Trigger,
Thank you for your response. I find the last sentence in your letter very interesting. Your revolver shipped 21 year 9 days after mine.

Terry

 

[boykinlp]

The SWHF Letter I requested after I bought my M27-2 states the gun was shipped inside the presentation case. I did not purchase this gun new, but I got the case and all accessories.

Look at the last line of the last paragraph.

If the letter is correct, that kind of presentation case isn’t structured the same as the blue/black presentation cases. The blue/black ones have a very flimsy/fragile interior that the heavy gun sits on, making it extremely likely that the gun would cause damage to the interior of the case. The clamshell type has much stronger styrofoam for the gun to sit on, so I could see it being shipped in that kind of case, even though if it were mine, I wouldn’t prefer it shipped that way. JMHO.
Larry

 

[Doc44]

Clamshell cases (1960-1968) and presentation cases used from 1969 through 1978 contained the 44 Magnum revolver inside with accessories when shipped. Prior to 1960 is still a mystery (discussed here) and from 1979 to 1985 the "system" shown in post #3 was used. The presentation case was discontinued for the 44 Magnum in 1985. It was an extra cost option from 1982-1985.

Bill

 

[Hair Trigger]

If the letter is correct, that kind of presentation case isn’t structured the same as the blue/black presentation cases. The blue/black ones have a very flimsy/fragile interior that the heavy gun sits on, making it extremely likely that the gun would cause damage to the interior of the case. The clamshell type has much stronger styrofoam for the gun to sit on, so I could see it being shipped in that kind of case, even though if it were mine, I wouldn’t prefer it shipped that way. JMHO.
Larry

My presentation case has the thin plastic inserts with flocking and isn't styrofoam. My insert could use a little restoration, the flocking is dirty and the area around the hammer spur has torn through, but the gun itself is as perfect as I've seen for one that is over 40 years old. I don't know how S&W packed the presentation case to prevent damage, since I didn't buy mine new or get the original packing/shipping box. I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the Letter.

 

[waelkhntr]

Thank you guys for the additional information and input. Looking forward to continued discussion about what seems to be somewhat of a mystery. When I first posted the question, I figured I would get a couple line response and maybe a picture or two.

Terry