Box or No Box

[two-bit cowboy]

I'm OCD about the guns, but I much prefer not to have the boxes and stuff. I seek out special-to-me guns to fill holes in the series, and I only get an ANIB model if I haven't seen another one like it without the box.

I grudgingly keep and protect the box and stuff if the gun came with the correct, serial numbered box because I feel a nagging obligation to do so.

I'll sell a box with a different serial number than the gun, even if it's from the correct era. So far I've forced myself to make one exception to this rule because a red 3" Baby Chiefs Special box is so rare.

 

[rkittine]

I try to get guns with the original boxes when ever possible. Right now I have three that are Factory Proof Fired only, though are from the late 70s in one case and early 80s in the other two. So far I have gone ahead and shot one and am thinking about shooting another one. I was just offered $5,500 for one that I bought through this site recently for $3,000. Hard to justify $2,500 to pull the trigger once, but may still do it.

Bob

 

[Doc44]

If you are collecting S&Ws from the 50s or earlier, boxes are a plus, but if you only want original boxed examples, you will not acquire many guns.

Bill

 

[Marshal Kane]

Like others have posted, condition of the gun trumps box or no box. If I had my druthers, I prefer having the original box or correct period box. I do store my guns in their boxes along with desiccant packs and original S&W moisture protective paper. Seems to me, most shooters who care enough to retain the original box treats his gun the same way, factory new. YMMV

 

[NoEcm]

I'm glad Grandpa kept the box for the K22 and I've tried to keep the tradition up with a couple of more modern safe queens.

 

[stansdds]

Having the original box and all the items contained within the box just adds collector value to the firearm. For me, mine are shooters and as such, I usually buy shooter grade and that normally means no box, no papers, no extra magazines.

 

[Usmc5811]

I'm buying the gun. Anything else that comes with is just a bonus. Or perhaps a detriment . . .

What Muss said. I bought a 3" 13-4 this week for $425. After I had bought the gun the seller handed me a pair of like new magnas, a holster and a model 13 box with paperwork. Granted the box didn't match my gun but it was a nice suprise.

 

[bigmoneylewis]

As long as the gun is nice, I will buy it ,with or without the box .
However, If the box is with it, I would be willing to pay an additional $ 200
above what fair market value is for that gun by itsself.

Lewis