Box Question

[Handgunner00]

Just acquired a mint condition S&W 686 4" Distinguished Combat Magnum that shipped in Dec 1981, affirms Roy Jinks. What S&W factory box would carry this fine 686? Please describe this box and pics would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks, fellow S&W Forum members for responding.

 

[Sevens]

Tough question! Let me say that most likely, it will be the blue one-piece flip top box that says "double action REVOLVER REVOLVER REVOLVER" all over the top of it.

I say most likely because I recently saw a very early 686 with the previous box -- the dark blue two-piece. I honestly had no idea that the 686 ever came in one of those.

 

[Handgunner00]

Thanks for responding. Agree - not an easy question unless you own a 1981 Model 686 with its original box. Had a long time S&W collector tell me with a high degree of confidence that the correct box is a two piece S&W standard dark blue box with a cover logo and lettering that says: Smith and Wesson...a Bangor Punta Company...Springfield, Mass. Got more detective work to do for sure.

 

[dant]

box.....

yes, that would be coming to the transition era and depending on when it was shipped, not made, the box should be the two piece Bangor Punta ( 3 line address top) it was maybe 2 years later the one piece fold up box and even that one would have used the older style white, hand filled in, end label, the computer generated ones came later.....The L frames that came into our shop back then all had the two piece boxes, but then again ours all came from LE distributors if that makes any difference...........
the serial numbering that started with the letters of the alphabet AAA ,etc affected this process,change for the most part.......

 

[rbmac52]

I've seen the 586/686 revolver come in either box. The transition from the two-piece to the one-piece box took place shortly after the introduction of the L-frame, if I recall correctly.

I've also seen Model 24-3 guns come in both box styles, which makes sense, as this model, too, was introduced in the early 80's.

 

[Handgunner00]

Thanks, all. Great info as always from the S&W Forum. Just scored well on eBay - bought a two piece Bangor Punta version box in good condition that is ideally sized for my 4" revolver. As a bonus - it came with a complete cleaning/tool set that will fit a 686. Life is good!