Correct color boxes

[RECONJJ]

Hey All,its been a while.Im starting to collect 1905s 4th change and up to 1942 38s.There were red boxes,maroon boxes,gold boxes,then the blue ones.So I have a chance to buy a 1940-41 5" and it has the dark maroon box with a Helpful Hints brochure also marked on end label and grease pencil matching on back. would that be correct ? For 800.00.Actually my 1905 4th change,ser.# 261xxx made in 1917 came with a gold box that I think is the wrong color. Any dates of colors that might be correct ? Thanks,SemperFi,John

 

[glowe]

1947 is right around the transition from maroon to gold. The maroon box was used from 1946 to 1975, mostly on N frame revolvers, but also K frames came in this two piece box. The gold boxes also started in 1946 and ran until 1965. Bottom line is that the factory would print labels and stick them on whatever box the gun fit into, so you will see both colors used for the same models.

A 1917 38 M&P would most likely have been in a hinged light or dark maroon box. It will often have the standard end label with a ribbon label above it signifying a Round or Square butt.

 

[RECONJJ]

I corrected my post as my Smith in question ser # 8258xx was born around 1940.So getting it in a maroon box that is labeled and with a helpful hints could be correct ?

 

[glowe]

It would have been likely that the dark maroon 1920 patent box with a green end label could have been used in 1940, but not a two-piece.

 

[RKmesa]

I corrected my post as my Smith in question ser # 8258xx was born around 1940.So getting it in a maroon box that is labeled and with a helpful hints could be correct ?

It would be the maroon hinged "Patent box". Not the two piece box. It would look like this, except this one is for a target M&P (the standard M&P would have a different label).







... and it would have the pre-war "Helpful Hints", like the one in this photo (the photo is of an early K-22 Outdoorsman that shipped in a M&P Patent box).



Hope this helps,

 

[RECONJJ]

Richard thank you thats a beautiful K-22 what year is it ? Do you know what year the first helpful Hints were introduced and what year they ended ? Thanks John

 

[handejector]

My guess is that Helpful Hints appeared in the early to mid 30s.
The post war version ran well into the 50s.

 

[RKmesa]

Richard thank you that's a beautiful K-22 what year is it? Do you know what year the first helpful Hints were introduced and what year they ended ? Thanks John

John:

That K-22 Outdoorsman shipped in June 1931... and she's even nicer in person... I agree with Lee on the 1930s (probably early 1930's). Here is a good thread on the HH pamphlet: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...239666-helpful-hints-pamphlet-variations.html