I recently saw a member mention in a post that a box is not a deal breaker for them when purchasing a firearm. I was wondering what others might think on this subject? How important is a box to you when purchasing a new firearm for your collection?
Box or No Box
- Thread starter DWMartin
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GypsmJim
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I am a collector, but I don't store them in the box. Also, I'm not a seller. Whatever my collection consists of is what my kids will inherit. If they sell them and make money, or donate them to the Salvation Army, its no bother to me. I don't buy guns to save money.
If the gun comes with a box, I save it. If not, so be it. They all get shot, even the unfired Pre-27 that I got with a box & papers.
If the gun comes with a box, I save it. If not, so be it. They all get shot, even the unfired Pre-27 that I got with a box & papers.
For me it's always a plus as well as a curse. I like the added value it brings to the deal, but hate babysitting the darn thing - I feel obligated to preserve it. I am not a collector so I don't care if it has a box or not, as long as it's priced accordingly. Definitely never a deal breaker.
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kobsw
Member
DWMartin,
Not a deal breaker but I sure do like seeking out the complete package.
Here's my 1970 Model 19-3 complete with all the original goodies.
Kobsw
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
I like having the box, but it isn't a deal breaker. I buy guns to shoot!
Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk
Jack Flash
Member
I doubt that even the most died in the wool, hard core collector would turn up his nose and walk away from a pristine Register Magnum whose only "flaw" was no box. Same goes for a Triple Lock.
Some never had a box (like WWI M1917s). If you would like to search for the crate they shipped to France in, best of luck.
Some never had a box (like WWI M1917s). If you would like to search for the crate they shipped to France in, best of luck.
neorebel
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BOX too
I am delighted when I get the original papers and box. From a collectors stand point I think it adds value. I recently bought a H&K USP and it had the box, papers, card and even the receipt from the first owner from the gun store in 1993. It's a low serial number 40 S&W USP so, yes I was delighted. In fact I paid the same amount for the gun that he did in 1993 and it's in excellent condition.....funny I didn't see that one coming...lol
So, if it comes with the box great, it's not a deal breaker for me....condition is everything to me. Matching serial numbers on rifles and so on. Heck I have a 1942 Mosin with a great stock, perfect bore, head space and ALL matching numbers. I didn't pay a premium for it either. Who would think you would find an old 1942 Mosin like that?
I am delighted when I get the original papers and box. From a collectors stand point I think it adds value. I recently bought a H&K USP and it had the box, papers, card and even the receipt from the first owner from the gun store in 1993. It's a low serial number 40 S&W USP so, yes I was delighted. In fact I paid the same amount for the gun that he did in 1993 and it's in excellent condition.....funny I didn't see that one coming...lol
So, if it comes with the box great, it's not a deal breaker for me....condition is everything to me. Matching serial numbers on rifles and so on. Heck I have a 1942 Mosin with a great stock, perfect bore, head space and ALL matching numbers. I didn't pay a premium for it either. Who would think you would find an old 1942 Mosin like that?
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MixmodelA
Member
As an avid collector of "boxed" Smith & Wesson hand guns, the box is very important. I have a habit of buying a gun then go find a box for it. Or, I buy a box and then look for a proper gun for it. It's always nicer to buy a gun with the number matching box. But for me, a proper era gun is a good thing. Matching number is a just better bonus. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mick
EarlB
Member
My thoughts have changed as my collection has grown. At first, I didn't care. Then I did start liking to get the boxes more. On some guns (such as my 520, 67, 60, 19's, 15's etc.) I've sold them without boxes and replaced them with boxed examples. I like to get the original box (or what I believe is the original box) though so haven't started collecting "correct" boxes yet - but I'm thinking of getting an unnumbered gold M&P 4" box for my post war transitional, so that could take me down that road.
As others noted, I don't store my guns in the boxes/cases so it does add to the clutter - and the piles of boxes are growing in the gun room. The one exception for me so far has been the pre-29's. I did spring for original boxes for mine - then came to the realization that I'd rather have a new gun or two than that much money tied up in 2 cases with original tools and sold them. I won't get boxes for the pre-29's again unless I just luck into them at the cost of a mahogany presentation box.
All that said, it's not a deal breaker for me - but it is a reason to keep looking after I find something!
Earl
As others noted, I don't store my guns in the boxes/cases so it does add to the clutter - and the piles of boxes are growing in the gun room. The one exception for me so far has been the pre-29's. I did spring for original boxes for mine - then came to the realization that I'd rather have a new gun or two than that much money tied up in 2 cases with original tools and sold them. I won't get boxes for the pre-29's again unless I just luck into them at the cost of a mahogany presentation box.
All that said, it's not a deal breaker for me - but it is a reason to keep looking after I find something!
Earl
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Targets Guy
US Veteran
It is nice but never a deal breaker. I am always on the lookout for a period correct box for my K frames.
oysterer
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I like gun/box sets but I like great guns more even if that means w/o box. I store the boxes in a separate cabinet. I like having boxes but they will never be re-united with the guns I sell the full set (I have no plans doing that). What I do not like are 'correct' boxes which do not belong to that particular gun. I rather have the precise box with correct serial label on it or no box at all. If accessories and papers got lost from that gun, I do not think these goodies should be replaced, that is misleading as we never know what was exactly shipped with it.
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hemiram
Member
Nice to have, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. I had a bunch of the boxes for guns I had bought over the years stored in my never wet basement along with boxes for a lot of my stereo stuff and some ham radio equipment. Of course, for unknown reasons, there was about 2" of water that suddenly came into the basement just before I was about to sell most of that stuff. All the boxes were ruined, either they got wet or they got stinky from mold. Out with the trash they went.
That's my take also. I have 0 "high dollar" guns. Buying without the box/ wrong grips makes the "hunker dicker" process more leveraged in buyer favor. I appreciate that. Joe
gwpercle
Member
I'm not a collector , I buy them to shoot and shoot them often ....ergo a box doesn't matter to me . I don't sell my guns...my children can dispose of them after I'm gone , unless I can talk Saint Peter into letting me bring one or two to the great shooting range in the sky.
I'm kinda fond of that model 58 in my avatar !
Gary
I'm kinda fond of that model 58 in my avatar !
Gary
I'm buying the gun. Anything else that comes with is just a bonus. Or perhaps a detriment . . .
sbowenjr
Member
I think we are almost in the same mind set. I have started only looking a boxed 19's. I have not seen any 19-1 boxed gun combos where the box is in good shape. Most the boxes are rough.
I currently have boxed sets for
Combat Magnum blued Clam shell case
Combat Magnum Nickel with numbered box
Model 19 No dash with blue box
Model 19-2 Nickel with blue box with a sticker that shows nickel
Non Boxed
19-0 Nickel
19-1 Nickel
19-1 Blued
I would move some of the non boxed to make room for boxed models if the box was in good condition.
I am getting crazy like that as I get older.
notsofast
Member
A collector of factory only fired guns will see it differently than me. I buy nice shooter grade guns and won't pay extra for the box.
THEmodelof1989
Member
I don't care about the boxes so much; mine take up more space than the firearms I'm collecting. My original, matching, s&w boxes are the most expensive cardboard in my house though, and in the spirit of preservation, they are stored faithfully and properly.
I like to use the lack of box and paperwork as a bargaining point when I'm buying.
I like to use the lack of box and paperwork as a bargaining point when I'm buying.
