Correct box a big deal?

[flhr95]

When you are selling something from the early 80's would the factory box make a huge difference. What would the correct box be for a 27-2 Nickle 4".
Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[fleabus101]

A blue BangarPunta box with the appropriate designation model 29 blue 4 inch barrel etc..
Some don't care about boxes. I would consider having a correct box an incentive to buy your Smith
ahead of another..

 

[flhr95]

Thanks fleabus101, I will begin the search.

 

[Breakaway500]

Ive found if someone cared enough to keep the original box etc on a new purchase of most anything the item is usually in better shape than one without.Especially guns.

 

[stansdds]

For the collector, the correct box, plus documents and tools, makes a difference in value. For someone looking for a shooter, they are unlikely to worry about such things.

 

[chief38]

I like to have the original (preferred) or at least the factory correct box for every gun I own - but that's just me. I have purchased guns that were absolutely gorgeous and pristine but came with no accoutrements. I have since purchased factory correct boxes for those separately as well as acquiring the period correct paper work and tool kits. Many others couldn't care less as long as the gun is good.

I only own one gun that does not have a box and that is an inherited Ruger Speed Six which I will be listing soon here on the Forum. Since I'm not a Ruger guy, I was never really interested in keeping it even though it is a very collectible version in 44 spl.

Personally I have payed a small premium for what I call a "complete gun" that not only looks pristine but comes with all the goodies. Soon after the purchase the price is forgotten but what I have lasts for ever. Again - many could not give a hoot about cardboard boxes and paper work. Your choice! As my Mother always said, there is a butt for every seat!

 

[22hipower]

I'm no expert on boxes but I think a 27-2 4 inch in nickel could also have come in the last version of the wooden presentation box. The -2 stopped with the introduction of the -3 in 1982 and the last of the presentation boxes was, according to the Standard Catalog, 1981. I have a 4 inch -2 in blue from the same period which came with the wooden presentation box but I have no way to know if the box is original to the gun or not. I think finding a blue BangorPunta box with a label designating a nickel 4 inch 27-2 is going to take a while. The wooden presentation boxes are available although at a couple hundred dollars these days. And, in my opinion anyway, won't make your gun worth much more than it is without the box. I considered the box "free" when I bought mine. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Electraclyde]

I am not a collector, but I will almost never buy a gun unless it has the orginal box and papers.

 

[MajorD]

Ive found if someone cared enough to keep the original box etc on a new purchase of most anything the item is usually in better shape than one without.Especially guns.

Agree, even modern non collectible guns. It implies that the owner/seller took care of the item.

 

[Nightowl]

Smith started the full target 27-2s in September 1975, with wood presentation case. These cases, as said above, were discontinued as standard in the early 80s but could be bought separate for a few more years. Dash 2 four inch had a life from around 1978 to 1982, so I would think that it is most likely shipped with the wood presentation box with target grips and target trigger and hammer.

 

[jcelect]

Box?

The -2 engineering change was made in the early 60s and the 4" mod 27 was made a catalogue item in the early 1980s.

To the OP! It depends on when your 27-2 was shipped in the early 1980s. It could have shipped in a Mahogany Presentation case, a two piece Blue Box, or the new fold over one-piece cardboard box, which was introduced in about 1983. The case liner would have been the type with the small tool compartment. The problem with finding a box for your gun is it will not be the original. Any other box will have a label with a different serial number. A presentation case will not have any number relating to a specific gun on it and the type you need is easier to find, however they are getting expensive and will not add the cost amount to the value of your gun!
jcelect

 

[murphydog]

I would guess if you (the OP) has a pristine 4" nickel 27-2 that it 'might' be worth pursuing the complete set of box, tools, paperwork, etc. I would also guess that short of a (nearly) new appearing gun there would not be a great deal of value increase.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

To me the Box isn't so much as issue of value,
It's more related to desirability.
In other words, a gun with the box is more desirable than one without the box.
Opinions do vary.
I have sold new guns to folks who walked off without the Box.

 

[flhr95]

Thanks for all the great responses, I do plan on selling it and thought the factory (type) box would help. It does have the target hammer, trigger and stocks, wondering if that would have come in the wooden box. Thanks again.

 

[22hipower]

I'm pretty sure your gun came in a box like this one. You'll notice that the flocking is completely deteriorated as are so many of them from this timeframe. However, a member here, jcelect, who also commented above, works miracles in restoring these and other S&W boxes. If you were keeping it, and wanted the complete package you'd probably want to get a box and have Joe restore it. However, I think if your intent is to sell the gun anyway, you're going to spend time and effort (and dollars) acquiring the box and you likely won't increase the value of your sale enough to pay back the box costs. You would have no trouble selling your -2 here on the Classified side of the Forum. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2o5GCwc https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2o5HTzv https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Laketime]

Buy the gun not the box or the story. A visual and hands on inspection is all you really need if you know what to look for.

 

[Camster]

Thanks for all the great responses, I do plan on selling it and thought the factory (type) box would help. It does have the target hammer, trigger and stocks, wondering if that would have come in the wooden box. Thans again.

It would help sell more quickly, though paying 75 for a box in order to get another 100 out of the gun, isn't that much of a homerun. The presence of "a box", doesn't add as much value as the original box, with the proper serial number.
I understand the feelings that many have regarding the possibly better condition of a boxed gun, but for me, if the guy really cares, he doesn't care so much about the box, as he'll keep the gun in a Boyt case. That was my m.o.

 

[CLMN]

Original intact factory box with label and everything: Big plus!

Duplicate "period correct" box: Big yawn.

 

[murphydog]

Thanks for all the great responses, I do plan on selling it and thought the factory (type) box would help. It does have the target hammer, trigger and stocks, wondering if that would have come in the wooden box. Thanks again.

The model 27s made just before the Presentation case era had service (narrow) width hammers and triggers. The guns with cases had Target width action parts but I am not sure if this continued after the cases went away. Someone here will know the answer.

 

[MikeR90S]

To me the label is the key, it gives you much of the info otherwise only available from a factory letter.