I am always looking at older Smith revolvers on line. How much would you say the box ads to the price of the firearm?

A lot of variables, are you talking a first year 4" 44 Magnum or a 6" M&P? What about a nickel early Terrier or Chiefs? Centennial? 357 Magnum blue or nickel very different amount produced. You also said THE box so that adds a lot compared to a correct box. My mind is boggled with the possibilities...

I am just asking how much does the box add to the price of a revolver? Say the 1950's to the 1970's if you want to narrow it down. If it matters exactly to which gun let me know. I was just speaking generally. Thanks!

^^^^^ What USM1 said, plus there is some difference between a box with matching serial to the gun or simply a correct style and age appropriate box. Then there is the matter of tools and paperwork. Age appropriate gold boxes typically bring 100-200 bucks for a not particularly rare box. Many of my gold boxes were acquired separate from the gun. Lotsa variables...

__________________
Randy
Provenance nerd

Not all boxes are worth the same which is what I was trying to get across.

A revolver with the serialized box it shipped with in 1955 is certainly a lot more desirable to me than one with a box like it shipped with. Some people don't care but some people do. You need to specify what gun, finish, s/n range and barrel to get a realistic value.

So somewhere between $75 and $1000 or so for me.

Have heard of boxes for Pre-war .357s bringing $1000. I had a 1956 box for a Combat Magnum that a guy paid $400 for. It was THE box for his gun (the serial number on the box matched the gun). Have heard that pretty much any of the two piece boxes will bring $100 or more.

__________________
David Reynolds

Perhaps the first thing before buying a box is to ask the question "why do I want the box?" If it is that you need a place to store the gun then any box will do. If you want complete original packages than only "the" box will do. Or perhaps you want period correct packages and don't care about "the" box. And if you want it because the box itself is rare that is another factor.

For modern guns, say post 1980 I only want the box if it is the original box with goodies and even then I don't really want it. . . but will take it if it doesn't much increase what I'm willing to pay for the gun. But just any box from that timeframe without papers/tools isn't worth much to me and just increases my storage problems. Now a box, especially "the" box, for a Registered Magnum is collectible by itself, much in demand, and is worth buying. Same for the early blue/black 44 Magnum cases and for the first year Model 57 boxes with the velour lining. And the red, gold and other boxes from the '50s/'60s are worth buying too.

Now, all that said, what value does a box add, usm1rifle pretty much nailed it with $75 to $1000+ although for me it would be $0 to $1000.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Bottom Line on boxes is THE box ------numbered to the gun has value---more or less depending on the gun (what it is). An M&P box ain't worth spit, and a Registered Magnum box is going to require an extra trip to your piggy bank! An A box for anything is a piece of cardboard.

And condition is obviously important. Gary Lowe (glowe hereabouts) is the Box Man. He works wonders with boxes---WONDERS!!---can bring them back from the dead! You send your box to Gary, and it will thank you.

Ralph Tremaine

There are too many variables to come up with an accurate answer to such a question. Looking at today's market suggests that the cost of most vintage S&W boxes would add no more than the price you paid for the box, no real value adder. Mine pretty much sit empty on my gun room shelf. They are seldom used except to take some pictures of filled boxes occasionally.

Picture boxes and some rare boxes, on the other hand, are a different story. Boxes for everything 1st Model 38 Single Action to K22 Outdoorsman's revolvers and 357 boxes have sold for as high as $1000. In cases such as these, I do not believe that buying a high demand box like these would bring as much value-add to the combined gun/non-matching box set as selling the box and gun separately. In other words, you would likely lose money on such a sale.

For me, boxes just add to the fun of collecting guns.

Attached Images

	P1010001.jpg (91.1 KB, 425 views)
	P101003.jpg (125.9 KB, 418 views)

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

I collect 357 Magnums and K-22s. I also collect boxes for 357 Magnums and K-22s. Gold boxes for 357 Magnums range from $200 - $400.





Boxes for pre-war 357 Magnums range from $700 to $2,500, depending on size of box, type of box (Type I or Type II) and of course condition of box.







Boxes for K-22 Outdoorsman revolvers range from $250 to $650 (there are several different styles) depending on condition and style of box. Boxes for pre-war K-22 Masterpieces (sold in 1940) range from $550 to $1,500. These boxes are really hard to find. Post war gold boxes for K-22s range from $100 to $200 and are available fairly regularly on eBay. Post war Blue two-piece boxes are worth $40 - $100 to me, depending on lots of factors.





I regularly see wood presentation cases sell for $150+.





I actually store a lot of my guns in factory boxes, with the gun in a gun sock in the box. It makes it easier to stack in the safe and allows me to find what I'm looking for.

I also love custom cases... and they are a whole 'nother (beautiful) story.

























... so, like as has been said above, the value that a box adds to a gun really does depend on a lot of factors. And boxes are a lot of fun learning about and collecting.

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I'm not really a collector, but I like to have THE box. Not just a box, although I don't suppose I'd turn my nose up at a proper period type box. I really like the old two piece ones, the gold/blue and blue ones from a little later.

How much do they add? I got no idea, but for me, it can make the difference between buying a gun and not buying it. I bought an early 50's, 6" M&P 38, recently, that I normally wouldn't have looked at, but it had the gold/blue box (numbered to the gun), so I bought it. I say I bought the box, and they threw in the gun to make the deal.

__________________
John 3:16 .

Well Richard, nobody can beat that box collection, or what's in them either. Spectacular is the best word I can come up with, and it is inadequate at best.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Yes, if post #10 doesn’t satisfy your box curiosity then nothing will!

__________________
Terry Lester

I have owned this 38 M&P for at least 15 years without a box and never really thought about it much. A forum member turned me on to this period correct box (gun shipped July, 1951) and to me it's worth pretty much what I paid for it. Could I have been happy with out it? Sure, but it does make a nice package.

Attached Images

IMG_1391.jpg (167.3 KB, 37 views)

I second that! I just got a small pre-war .357 Magnum box back from glowe. In case you don’t realize just how rare the small size .357 Magnum box is, I believe RKmesa has stated that he has seen exactly 4 of them for sale in the last 10+ years of looking nearly everyday on the various auction sites. That’s why I jumped on it at $700 when it recently was listed for sale here on the Forum - even though it was a mess!

When I sent it to Gary it looked like someone had been using both the top and bottom as garbage cans. Also, the bottom was extremely bowed in, the top was bowed out to match, and there was a tear in one corner as you can see from the “before Gary” pictures below…..




Now, in the “after Gary” pictures you can see that he removed the bows and warps on all sides, repaired the pasteboard delaminations and separations, and it now looks like this…..



All of the above work in less than 3 weeks (including shipping time both ways) and for under $100 including insured shipping!

Thank you Gary!

Now I just need a 3-1/2” or 4” RM/NRM to put in it!

__________________
Terry Lester

Awesome! This should be made a sticky !

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

A quick search of eBay tells me that vintage S&W revolver boxes are starting the auction between 75-100 bucks.

As others have said, THE box or A box?

I acquire pistols to carry, so they tend to have some cosmetic compromises. When I buy a pistol like this I'm not too worried about a box. If it has one, that's cool but I'm not going to pay extra because of a box.

On the other hand, if I were a collector, serious consideration to the point of paying a premium, then I might eliminate a collectible because it didn't have a box. At this point, a box may very well make or break the sale altogether. That's pretty valuable.

I have the perception that the correct box indicates an attention to detail. It's a small leap to believe that this attention to detail carries over to the care and maintenance of the pistol during prior ownership. Maybe no more truth to that beyond my desire to believe it.

Same pistol in like condition and money, I'd choose the one with the box over one in a brown paper bag.

My best box story:

I'm dickering for a 22/40. It comes with a screwdriver and an A box---David Carroll is along side. (The box is as close to brand new as you're ever going to see.) I already have one of the screwdrivers------and I have no use for an A box. I ask for a price without the screwdriver and the box. David pokes me in the ribs, and whispers, "That's a thousand dollar box---DUMMY!" The seller didn't want to break up the package, but dropped the price a bit, so "All's well that ends well!".

Ralph Tremaine

Richard, your post above just makes me speechless! And that is very difficult to do!!
Larry

__________________
Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I think that most of us who buy "The Brand" would like to acquire the original box and papers and tools with the revolver/auto we're buying. Often times it just can't happen because the other stuff isn't there. I have spent some amount of money to acquire a "period" box and papers/tools to make a complete package. It seems that the prices vary between $50 to $150-$200. It's worth it to me. As long as the box is in relatively good shape I am happy. Otherwise, I am not going to fret over it.

Now, having contributed to the conversation, I am going to go off the thread just a bit to offer this:
It was my privilege and thrill to be able to meet RKMesa at the show last year. It was my first time visit. Richard was there at the time I first walked into the show and tell and sales room and he greeted me and started talking about all kinds of things Smith and Wesson. He was the most sincere, enthusiastic and generous, unassuming and unpretentious gentleman.

His display was just like his self. Although it was stunning and outstanding and you knew that he knew that his entire collection has to be one of the finest in the world. But you would never be able to figure that out by talking to him or watching him interact with all he came into contact with..... I just want to conclude this with a very heartfelt Thank You Richard for all your unselfish sharing of knowledge and your keen insights in this business we all have of collecting, shooting, and owning the Smith and Wesson.

I am looking forward to seeing you and sharing some space on this planet with you in Tulsa this year.

To me, having the original box indicates prior pride in ownership. Including paperwork and accessories. It's like original purchase paperwork. I believe it all adds value. Historical at minimum, and monetary to some degree.

I could never express my own opinion more precisely......Ben

__________________
Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

In post #4 the OP asked about boxes from 1950-1970! I will assume he is including the Mahogany Presentation Cases for the N frame guns? As stated above many times we are talking about "the" original case or "a" case!

We all have seen these cases for sale at gun shows, on auction sites and on Flea Bay every day. Now the fun begins(questions)! First there is no way of knowing, with any certainty and if at all, which type of case was shipped with the gun. A factory letter can possibly state your gun was shipped with a Presentation case, but it will not state which type of 4 different type liners the case may had in it. All 4 of these liner types had problems with longevity and are very difficult to find in good shape today. Flea Bay has these cases at auction and most of them need repair. Generally these auctions end somewhere in the amount of $350-$400, and still need repaired! I refurbish these cases, not restore them! I do not use the same materials to make the repairs as they did not last!

The next question that needs an answer is which type of liners could my N frame have come with! We are talking about N frame guns that have an "S" serial prefix, an "N" serial prefix, and at the end of the period of shipping guns in cases the "ABC" prefix! The next problem is these case liners were made barrel length specific and not all type liners were produced in all the barrel lengths available on the N frames models. A case will not increase the value of the package by the $400 stated above. However, it does add value to the gun as a package and usually about $100-$200, depending on which model of gun being sold.
IMHO, jcelect

The bottom line of all this is "Some's good, more's better, and too much is just right!"

"Some's good" means you've come upon a gun you've been huntin' for a spell.

"More's better" means THE box comes along with it.

"Too much is just right!" means, not only does THE box come with it; but so do all the tools (still in their original wrapper)---AND all the paperwork---AND the original shipping carton.

At this point, "God's in his heaven, and all's right with the world!"---you can die a happy man.

That's what it means to the REAL lunatic fringe collector.

Then there are just the regular, everyday lunatic fringe collectors. That means they have a lot of guns. You can figure they've been at it for a looooooooooong time, OR they're newcomers who've been spending money like drunken sailors!

As for me, I had some of THE boxes. ALL of them fit quite nicely in one of those rather small plastic storage containers---and it was upstairs in an attic "closet". The guns were downstairs in a display case. (I collected target guns---from the very beginning to the end of the "5 screws". A good 60% of my guns were pre-war. I had exactly TWO THE boxes for all those guns. That was all well and good---happy to have them---couldn't care less about all those I didn't have---and never would have.)

When my first THE box came along, my reaction was, "Now what in the world am I going to do with that-------I collect guns, not boxes!" I understood the value of the boxes----also the value of everything that came in them besides the gun-----but I didn't care that much about that stuff one way or the other----nice to have, but most certainly not need to have.

All this comes under the heading of "Different strokes for different folks".

I don't look down my nose at the folks who gotta have a box---and will happily settle for an A box. I might not understand them, but they're who they are, and what they like/don't like is their affair---and not mine.

There's plenty of room for all of us!

Ralph Tremaine

The most I’d give for a box is about 4K.

__________________
S&WHF 483 , S&WCA 1699

But what a package it made.....

I'm trying to remember that story, but didn't it end with the box being burned up in a plane crash...or something like that???

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Thank you for your kind remarks - you are WAY too kind! It was my pleasure and delight to meet you and all of the other folks at the Symposium. It is one of my favorite events of the year. It is so much fun to be in a huge hotel conference room, surrounded by amazing displays, with the access to the most knowledgeable and passionate S&W collectors in the world.

My display table was just across the aisle from THE Schofield display, which presented the most amazing collection of a gun that I know very little about. How fun it was to be tutored and educated by someone who has spent many years collecting and becoming an expert on that historic revolver... And that was just one display. So many more stories I could tell about wonderful displays and even more wonderful displayers.

If you have not been to a SWCA Symposium and are a member of the SWCA, I would encourage you to attend this year in Tulsa. If you are not a member of the SWCA and you find your S&W interests growing, I would encourage you to join...and then go to the Symposium.

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Good Lord, some of you guys have quite the collection. Sorry for the late reply but lets consider a plain Jane MINT 19-2 with ORIGINAL box. papers, tools VS same gun only? How much to add for original box, papers, and tools. It is a no brainer to me, but not sure what $ to add or subtract.

EDIT: Responding to RKmesa's post (I screwed this up somehow)

When does the Museum open Richard? I'll be first in line!

Mike

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Ummm, Richard? Any interest in adopting a 66 year old S&W fan?

Just wondering....

__________________
Ain't This Fun Though?

I would be willing to pay and extra $100 for an average condition 19-2 with original box & acc. and up to $200 for a LNIB outfit. Plus the different values of the guns of course. 19-2 revolvers are , like me, getting pretty old and tough to find with all the original parts.