How much value does box and papers add?

Warners · Sep 16, 2022

Picked up this model 19-6, got it home and cleaned it up. Then the seller called me to say he found the original box and papers (no tools). I'm wondering how much value this adds to the gun? It is matching s/n of course.

Thanks in advance,

Warner

pantannojack · Sep 16, 2022

To a nostalgic dreamer collector, if the gun is in as new condition, one might imagine a trip back in time. Kinda like the difference between a full can, or an opened can of Billy Beer.

Ivan the Butcher · Sep 16, 2022

When I sold current guns, The box and papers missing made an otherwise perfect gun 98%. On guns that are pre 1980 it seem to be a very big premium on very high grade guns. On 1960's and before on low condition guns The papers and tool are often separately and sometimes for more than a poor grade shooter.

Ivan

robertrwalsh · Sep 16, 2022

For someone who wants a shooter, not that much. For someone who wants a collectors item in very nice shape, quite a bit.

KalamazooKid · Sep 16, 2022

For “newer” guns, maybe $50?

majick47 · Sep 16, 2022

Newer boxes like the one pictured from 1980s just don't seem to match the older vintage boxes in eye catching appeal, $50 sounds about right.

ken158 · Sep 16, 2022

I’m thinking the older the better. Boxes for the newer plastic guns…not so much. If it is not the matching box then I don't care if it even has a box.

22hipower · Sep 16, 2022

For that vintage gun, in a model 19-6 which has been shot and perhaps carried a bit, I wouldn't pay any premium for the box. If there happens to be one with the gun, fine, but I wouldn't pay extra for it. That said, the 2.5 inch 19s are in demand and I certainly wouldn't toss the box/papers. Nice gun by the way.

And that comment doesn't go for all boxes. When I moved from Seattle some 30 odd years ago moving day was a bit frantic. By the time the moving van left we were preparing for a long drive to Texas. My wife said "oops, looks like they forgot to pack this box of gun boxes, do you want them?" I said no, they're just boxes, not going to haul them in the car. One of several mistakes I've made over the years as I'd now very much like to have those Colt Series 70 and earlier and S&W two piece boxes from the '60s/'70s.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

THE PILGRIM · Sep 16, 2022

When I was pretending to be a Gun Store Clerk, I have sold new guns and the buyer just walked and didn’t take the box.
They might buy a carrying case or a rug, sometimes a Holster.
The gun would leave in one of those.

Bill Lear · Sep 17, 2022

Warners said:
Picked up this model 19-6, got it home and cleaned it up. Then the seller called me to say he found the original box and papers (no tools). I'm wondering how much value this adds to the gun? It is matching s/n of course.

Thanks in advance,

Warner

For the "super collector" box and papers add value because they add a bit of history to the gun itself. To the experienced and informed gun collector/buyer who is more shootist than collector, box and papers are immaterial. To the novice, box and papers are more important than the gun itself! They've come of age in the era where a paper certificate serves to prove the validity of a diamond, because in point of fact, the diamond itself is of little value in a market flooded with same, so the piece of paper adds legitimacy. Same for guns the the novice buyer.
The "shootist" is going to SHOOT that gun because that's what it was born to do.

mtgianni · Sep 17, 2022

For a 22-A it adds nothing. For something highly sought after and collectible it can mean a lot.

rockquarry · Sep 17, 2022

Box and papers means little to me. I buy guns to shoot and don't mind paying a bit more for a very nice collectible-type gun that I will shoot, box or not. They'll stay in nice condition if not abused.

I've sold a number of handguns and rifles at gun shows over the last forty years with and without boxes. Overall, I'd guess there was little difference in prices with or without boxes, but I think most buyers are more quickly attracted to those guns with boxes, etc. Whether the buyer is actually willing to pay more for one with cardboard, hard to say.

THE PILGRIM · Sep 17, 2022

After seeing Smith 44 Mags in every Gun Mag printed, I finally saw one in person.
I was totally impressed with the Revolver but confused by that Black Case.
Did it come in that Black Case? Yes!
Years later after owning several Model 29s I was able to corral a Pre-29.
But I didn’t get that Black Case! Some dude who don’t care about the case probably had it in his garage. And his wife probably sold it at a garage sale.
To one of you guys for $5.
‘Life is not fair.’ Jimmy Carter.

ImDrRich · Sep 17, 2022

There's a big difference between a collector and a shooter. Collectors want every little manual, paper, tool, etc., that was supposed to come with the gun.

Now, some of the shooters might want that, too, but it depends on the person.

Narragansett · Sep 17, 2022

I am down to about 20 handguns, and I only have 5 or 6 boxes. I care more about the condition of the gun. But on the other hand I only now have 3 guns that would be considered collector grade. The rest are high grade shooters. At a guess for a shooter grade, 50.00 more for the box

GP_Pirate · Sep 17, 2022

It adds some value to most any gun. Vintage pieces the most. Some buyers don't care, but having the original box and papers is never a negative and a significant plus to many buyers. I keep all my boxes, papers, and original receipts. And not just for guns.

toddimusnimski · Sep 17, 2022

I think it's pretty commendable that the seller went to the trouble of contacting you about the box and contents, and kudos to you for going after it. I always like to have what came with the gun when it shipped, if for nothing else than nostalgia.

Warners · Sep 17, 2022

toddimusnimski said:
I think it's pretty commendable that the seller went to the trouble of contacting you about the box and contents, and kudos to you for going after it. I always like to have what came with the gun when it shipped, if for nothing else than nostalgia.

Not only that, he messaged me tonight that he has the speed loaders and "rounds" for the gun. Good guy. I'm buying 3 more guns from him as well.

wproct · Sep 17, 2022

To me, it means something. Hard to say a certain bump in value. But the owner still having the box and papers says something about the care that it might have had in the past. I once bought a very nice used model 41 pistol, and when I asked the previous owner for the box and papers he looked at me like I was an anal freak.

pantannojack · Sep 19, 2022

I know of a undesirable, to me, table shark frequents local g shows. He always asks about obvious visual details. If he were to ask me if I had "the box" while examining a gun for sale, ( I will never allow him to touch any of my property again ), I would not consider it a condition included in sale unless specifically agreed, even if I admitted I had "the box". If a sale conducted, and he wanted the box, I would say: Yeah, I said I have the box, and I still do."

How much value does box and papers add?

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