Box and Box Label, 27-2, 8 3/8"

[Retired W4]

I recently picked up a pristine 27-2 which appears to be unfired outside the factory. The box is in beautiful condition as well, but there is a problem.

First of all, I see counterfeit labels a lot and aside from the label I can usually tell it's been replaced. This one does not show that and it appears to be original to the box.

The other issue is the gun came with target stocks, as well as target hammer and trigger and the gun only fits in the box with the stocks off the gun.

I do have a model of 1950 (6 1/2") that came with target stocks and it also doesn't fit in the box with the stocks on. I was told by reliable sources that back then (1950s) S&W would deliver the gun in the available box with the stocks removed, to be installed later by the dealer. The box in that instance had the same April 15, 1955 Liability/Warranty printed on the inside. The older box also has the "Directions for use" printed inside the top. I hope this information doesn't confuse the issue too much.

My main concern is, is this label for real and could S&W have shipped this revolver in this box with the stocks removed.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello W4, any chance of a clear pic of the white end label?

 

[Retired W4]

I was going to do that in the original post. This morning has been pretty hectic.

Here it is.

 

[RKmesa]

I was going to do that in the original post. This morning has been pretty hectic.

Here it is.

I would go with FAKE - all if the handwriting is the same on every box (the inspector and packager were usually different persons). That was not the case for the originals. Also, the font looks wrong... Looks like a nice box though. The gun probably shipped in 1979 or 1980, and probably shipped in a wood presentation case - perhaps with or without a blue pressboard box.

On a side note, I have lots of boxes that do not have numbers matching the guns I store in them. However, I never alter the box labels... I just have a card in the box with the gun particulars and sometimes a yellow stickie on the end label to identify the gun stored therein.

Let's see the gun as well... please? I love the long-tube 357s.

 

[rbmac52]

Lots of people replaced the magnas on their Model 27-2 with target stocks after the purchase, me included, and the gun with targets installed would no longer fit in the original box.

We need to see the label on the box (and the box, as well) to form an opinion as to its authenticity. Every S&W revolver I purchased during that era that came with target stocks from the factory, came in a box that would accommodate them. Not saying it couldn't happen in your case, but it would not be at all common.

To resolve your questions with certainty, only a letter will answer them.

 

[MrG5122]

Aren't the original labels put on upside down? The few original boxes I have are that way.

 

[Model52guy]

The "INS and PKR" ,inspector and packer are in the same color ink and same handwriting. Dead giveaway for fake label.

 

[rbmac52]

I agree, the label is not original. The label itself is unlike any I have ever seen before. I think it is a replica label, not an original. I am not an expert, however, so I'm just offering my opinion.

As the box is a "5-ringer", it should fit an N-frame, but probably with magnas. My thought is that your box was not intended to accommodate an n-frame with target stocks and an 8-3/8" barrel. I believe the proper box is slightly larger than the one you have.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello W4, thanks. First of all you have a Bangor Punta box that dates at least to 1966. I aint saying your label is bogus, but it dont look like any labeled BP boxes I have. Is the label on upside down. And that writing really looks super neatly written, very deliberate. All of mine look very hurried, or sloppy. I kind of raised an eyebrow when I viewed your pic. But I aint seen everything S&W. Mike

 

[PeteC]

I was going to do that in the original post. This morning has been pretty hectic.

Here it is.

The label looks a little oversized in height compared to mine, and to the best of my knowledge, labels on boxes in the 1970's did not have a blue outline and a border (I do not have one from the year your gun shipped). My labels also have a printed dash between the Model number and the suffix.

edit: as someone also mentioned, the labels on my boxes are upside down.

 

[T112-4]

What stood out to me was marking on box label. Most of the boxes I have the ins and pkr are in different ink and writing from the rest. Just a thought.

 

[rbmac52]

At the very bottom of the link below, is a picture of a genuine factory end label for an S&W Model 25-5 with serial number prefix N677XXX. To see it, you have to scroll down to the bottom of the page. This is how your label should look. Notice under "finish" the BT designation, for "Bright Blue." I believe the original label for your gun would have been exactly like this one.

TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing: Featured Gun: Smith & Wesson model 25

 

[boykinlp]

I also believe the label to be fake. The writing looks suspect, but a dead giveaway to me, as others have said, is the label should be put on the box so it can be read when the box top is facing down. This was done so that when the boxes were stacked on a safe's shelf, they could be grabbed by the sides and not have the contents hit the floor, and the lane l could easily be read. I hope this makes sense.
Larry

 

[Doc44]

A Model 27-2 with the serial number listed would have been shipped with a presentation case. If the revolver was shipped in a cardboard box, it would have been plain without printing on the top. It is also possible the revolver was shipped in the case with an outer cardboard shipping carton with the label on it. The type of case and shipping carton depends on when your gun was shipped as it is right around the time when S&W changed the style of case and shipping materials.

The TS, TH, and TT are correct for your 27-2 (standard on this model beginning in September 1975, along with a presentation case).

Bill

 

[Retired W4]

I'm going with the consensus. Fake, with several red flags as mentioned above. I wish people would not do these things. I guess they think they are adding value. I did not buy this beautiful 27-2 for the box any way. I'll post some pics when it's ready.

 

[Nightowl]

It appears to me whoever filled out that label was left handed. I have not seen any other labels that appear to be written by a left handed person. But, I have not seen all the labels on all the boxes, so I could have missed some!

 

[SmithNut]

Aren't the original labels put on upside down? The few original boxes I have are that way.

That's a big YUP.....

 

[jcelect]

Labels

The labels were put on the box end "upside down" to prevent a major problem when the box was removed for the storage shelf! If the end label is on the box right side up when the box is pick up by the top and removed from the shelf the gun and box bottom would end up on the floor and the person would be left holding the box top only! This is a dead give-away for a replaced label!
jcelect