Early 44 mag box Over $1000 Is that crazy?

[seanbetsy]

I am watching an auction on eBay for a 44mag box going
for over $1000. That's not the norm now is it? I have one and I was thinking about talking it to the OGCA to have a new liner put in it. I cant remember who does it but they are on this forum. I figured those boxes ran $300-400. I was worried about hurting the value having it replaced. What do you think?

 

[usm1rifle]

Joe C. does the restorations - get it done, it will be worth it.

$1000 seems 2-4 bills high but I don't need one. Is it black or blue?

A beauty sold on eBay a few days ago for $480 and it was a real bargain.

 

[JSW]

I don't keep up with the prices on boxes but even if they haven't reached that point yet you know that eventually they will, probably sooner than later.

 

[Göring's S&W]

much more than its worth, IMO

Here is the ad, it closed today:

S w Smith Wesson Empty Box for Early 44 Mag Model 29 Blue Satin Lining | eBay

Usually I am not surprised when a rare S&W accessory goes high on ebay BUT I think this is a case of some uninformed bidders with money to spend:

1) the case came with no tools - correct tools are $150+

2) The case is the smooth type. This type came out in late 1956, so none of the early guns (first 6 mos of production) had this style case. This style case was replaced with the clamshell type in approx. 1960. Consequently, first type blue/black cases, known as the "pebble grain" bring a premium, when all else is equal. I imagine the bidders may not have known about the blue/black case varieties.

3) The case is a 6.5 in case and is thus by far the most common case. The 4in case is much harder to find.

4) The seller did not photograph the bottom of case, and I think this is because the SN is no longer there (I could be wrong). If there was a SN on bottom of case, and the bidder had the original gun, that of course changes things.

If this case type is now worth $1000, I guess my pebble grain case, number S130934, which shipped with a 44 magnum in Feb of 1956 is now worth $3000. Yes!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/422084-black-box-discovery-investigation.html

 

[murphydog]

Not if someone thinks it raises the value of their .44 Magnum package more than that, or they think it can be resold for more. Sounds high to me too but who knows for sure?

 

[Targets Guy]

Not to me but it might be to someone.

 

[1950jcb]

.44 Case

Not high condition or early first year--but it's an auction.

 

[Göring's S&W]

Not if someone thinks it raises the value of their .44 Magnum package more than that, or they think it can be resold for more. Sounds high to me too but who knows for sure?

IMO, in that scenario, ONLY the original box can add more than the value of the gun and box itself. If a box is worth $500 and the gun $1500 (hypothetical) then the package is only worth $2000, IMO. I'm not a fan of adding boxes which SN to another gun unless the "new" box is on the cheap side. I feel the same way about unnumbered boxes.

As a collector here is how I see it: either the box has the SN, written in the correct place, the correct way, with the correct utensil IE grease pencil, (same rules for an end label) or the box is not original to the gun. Many many people marry boxes to guns, and many people add the serials to boxes - buyer beware. I do not engage in such practices because I personally think its deceptive and dishonest.

 

[steve61]

Feeling pretty good about the one I bought for $480.

 

[Doc44]

It is unlikely the presentation has a serial number written on it as S&W generally discontinued this practice as they moved to the case with the smooth exterior (from the case with the pebble grain exterior). In essence, this makes these cases "generic". However, this particular case is not in great shape and not worth the premium paid (at least to me, but possibly one of the bidders had a specific need and didn't think another opportunity would come up). Early in my collecting pursuits, I may have done the same thing as was done on ebay.

Bill

 

[bronco45]

Have a black S&W Box for 44 Magnum for an 83/8s in good shape wondering what it is worth?

 

[Doc44]

bronco45...If the case is for an 8 3/8-inch barrel, it would be priceless and the only one known.

Bill

 

[JSR III]

To some sellers, the correct box is only a grease pencil away

 

[Duke44]

My take on the price of this box can be summed up in three words.

"Tax Return Check"

 

[jsfricks]

Mine is in better shape and if I could get that much for it I would probably be a seller. I don't think it came with my Pre 29, but does have the tools. With the luck I have, if I put it up with no reserve on EBay I would would probably get $199.95 for it.

 

[BC38]

Mine is in better shape and if I could get that much for it I would probably be a seller. I don't think it came with my Pre 29, but does have the tools. With the luck I have, if I put it up with no reserve on EBay I would would probably get $199.95 for it.

That kind of problem is easy to avoid - set a reserve on your auction!

I recently sold a set of Cokes in good, but far from perfect condition on GB. I set a reserve of $500 - because i figured it wouldn't be met and I wanted to see what they would go for. Then I figured I'd re-list them if I felt the the final bid price justified it.

Lo and behold, a gentleman with a slightly worn pre-29 kept bidding on the auction until he exceeded the reserve to get them. He felt their imperfect condition was a perfect match for the slightly holster-worn condition of his gun and he was willing to pay more than I expected to get for them.

We were both happy with the transaction.