Box Collecting Basics

[tlmetesh]

If I wanted to add a box to one of my guns (like my 19-3 made in 1971), what's the most important things to consider when looking for the "right box"?

 

[mmaher94087]

Your serial number.. otherwise "of the period" and all the attributes of your gun along with: "condition is everything".

 

[tlmetesh]

The likelihood of finding the actual box is probably slim. I've seen lots of reproduction labels for the boxes to make it appear as if it were the original box. What's the general consensus on that?

 

[italiansport]

I don' think I've ever seen this posted or published anywhere but a thread showing the different iterations of S&W boxes and the associated models they go with would be a real benefit.
If there is good information on this subject on the Internet I for one would appreciate a link to it.
Jim

 

[tlmetesh]

I don' think I've ever seen this posted or published anywhere but a thread showing the different iterations of S&W boxes and the associated models they go with would be a real benefit.
If there is good information on this subject on the Internet I for one would appreciate a link to it.
Jim

I second that, Jim!

 

[opoefc]

There's reasonable good box info. in the SCSW,3rd edit. Some of the things to consider when looking for a box are (1) Is it a S&W box? (2) if so, is it the right style for the vintage of the gun? (3) Is there a serial number on the box? (4) Is it a box that I can easily apply a new label for display ? (5) and is the price affordable for the condition of the box ? Ed.

 

[snake803]

There's reasonable good box info. in the SCSW,3rd edit. Some of the things to consider when looking for a box are (1) Is it a S&W box? (2) if so, is it the right style for the vintage of the gun? (3) Is there a serial number on the box? (4) Is it a box that I can easily apply a new label for display ? (5) and is the price affordable for the condition of the box ? Ed.

Ed,
I found my birth year, birth month, 5 days off the day..1/15/44..It's a victory model...no proof marks, what kind of box would it have shipped in...or how big of a crate???... I like my stuff in boxes!!!
JIM...........

 

[kennyb]

most consider it poor form to create your own matching label....just sayin

 

[opoefc]

snake803, The original boxes for a Victory Models were a tan two piece Kraft box, with no markings or label and a one piece card board tan box. See Pate's" U S Handguns of WW2" p. 136 and Mullin's "The K Frame Revolver" p. 391, for pictures of the boxes.

kennyb, I disagree. Replacing the label on a box is the same a refinishing the gun. You are restoring the box to be representative of it's original condition. A replaced label won't fool an experienced collector into thinking it's original, anymore than a refinishing job will. If an inexperienced collector is fooled, then that's part of their learning curve on how to become experienced. Ed.

 

[VM]

snake803, The original boxes for a Victory Models were a tan two piece Kraft box, with no markings or label and a one piece card board tan box. See Pate's" U S Handguns of WW2" p. 136 and Mullin's "The K Frame Revolver" p. 391, for pictures of the boxes.

kennyb, I disagree. Replacing the label on a box is the same a refinishing the gun. You are restoring the box to be representative of it's original condition. A replaced label won't fool an experienced collector into thinking it's original, anymore than a refinishing job will. If an inexperienced collector is fooled, then that's part of their learning curve on how to become experienced. Ed.

Ed, you can wrap it up and put a pretty bow on it all you want but most people think that it is highly unethical to change, add, or replace box labels.
I've never once heard this "restoration" of box spin before.
I was under the impression as a group, a Forum, a Collectors Association we would be above this practice and help/mentor new collectors that don't have the experience to see a fake.
Other than just saying "Wow", I'm not really sure what else to say.
(thanks for the eye opener)

 

[markeb]

I don't care for the blank labels either. If I find a very nice gun and want to find a period correct box for it, I look for the closest serial # to the gun. A bonus would be the VPI paper, manual and cleaning kit.

 

[JSR III]

As the founder of the S&WCA has stated numerous times, finding a gun in its original box with the tools and paperwork that it shipped with is the holy grail in collecting. "Gathering" these components and putting them together is as others have stated considered poor practice.

While you may not have any bad intentions doing so and may inform a future purchaser that the package is not quite "original", what guarantee is there that subsequent sellers will do the same.

Leaving it up to some future buyer to figure it out after the fact to me is doing a disservice to the hobby. This is my opinion and others will have theirs.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I have a quantity of original end labels. I got them from a waste basket in the Service Deptment at Smith & Wesson. I have had the chance to sell some in the past. I never would, because I don't want people using them to make up a correct box. I have over 100 old boxes and never once did I ever think about making up a correct box. I can spot a fake label from across the room, but, I'll keep those secrets to myself.

 

[Sebring Pop]

In my opinion If the serial number is not there, any cardboard box will do.

 

[murphydog]

For the OP: Blue, two-piece, broken silver border of the appropriate length for the barrel. Happy hunting!

The topic of original boxes with a non-original label has come up on another recent thread. Having an "original, complete" package with the made-up label for one's own enjoyment is different from advertising and selling such as literally original and complete. I agree it is problematic when such an item is sold and the label is not known or advertised to be original.

 

[tlmetesh]

Just recently discovered that my grandfather had a 19-4 that he bought brand new in the 70s but has since sold. However, he still has the box it came in. The gun was the same length, finish, etc as the one I have, just a different "dash." Maybe someday I'll get the box from his gun and put it with mine. Won't mean anything to anyone else, but would be neat for me...