Guns with presentation cases?

[waelkhntr]

How did guns ship with presentation cases? Specifically, the pre 29 with the blue/black satin lined cases. Did the gun ship in the case or did it ship in a separate box?
I have read that the 29's etc that shipped with the mahogany cases came in an unmarked blue box in a specifically designed shipping box containing both gun and display case.
What documents/flyers would have shipped with a pre29?

Thank You for your much appreciated and respected responses.

Terry

 

[RobertK3026]

I have a Nickel Model 27 with an 8 3/8 barrel that I still have, bought new in the 70's
I still have the cardboard box it came in.
Sorry never could figure out how to post pics.

 

[Truckman]

I've heard of guns shipping inside the cases, but one of my 29-2's shipped with gun in separate box with case...Both items were sealed in a shipping container with the label on the outside of the outer box......Ben

 

[Doc44]

I am certain 44 Magnums did not ship inside the blue presentation case. I remember seeing a notice in one of the cases saying do not ship the gun inside, but it is the only one I have seen. Other than that, with all of the 44 Magnums I have seen and owned from 1956-1959, I have no idea how they shipped from the factory. The only document I have seen with the early 44 Magnums is a warranty card numbered to the gun. It is possible prior to 1960, each 44 Magnum came with a Helpful Hints brochure, but again, I have never seen one associated with this model.

Bill

 

[waelkhntr]

Thank You everyone for the responses.
So, I guess that the plain blue unmarked box that I got is not the one that this pre29 shipped in from the factory back in 1957. Humm

Terry

 

[Rusty parrot]

Doc,
Do you think there’s a chance that vapor paper was wrapped on the Pre-29’s and then the gun was shipped in the blue/black case? You’re the professor on early 29s and if you have never seen a cardboard box for the gun I’d be willing to bet they did not exist.

 

[rct269]

It is my understanding ALL guns with presentation cases were shipped together, albeit with the gun in a separate box. I don't recall if the minutia ordinarily shipped with a gun was with the gun or with the case.

See Post #3.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Truckman]

Thank You everyone for the responses.
So, I guess that the plain blue unmarked box that I got is not the one that this pre29 shipped in from the factory back in 1957. Humm

Terry

Look at the pictures I posted above and you can see that the unmarked, unlabeled box is indeed likely to be original to the gun...Here's a better look at mine......Ben

EDIT: I misread your OP...You are referring to a .44 Magnum named revolver, and mine is a numbered model...Two different animals...So you may not have the original after all...

 

[kadams]

I have a model 27 83/8 nickel also

I have a Nickel Model 27 with an 8 3/8 barrel that I still have, bought new in the 70's
I still have the cardboard box it came in.
Sorry never could figure out how to post pics.

I'm curious to know when your gun shipped and what box did it come in?

 

[waelkhntr]

Truckman,
I'm specifically looking for information on named .44 magnum pre the numbering system. I know about the dash model29s and their boxes but not the pre models.

Thanks for your information

Look at the pictures I posted above and you can see that the unmarked, unlabeled box is indeed likely to be original to the gun...Here's a better look at mine......Ben

EDIT: I misread your OP...You are referring to a .44 Magnum named revolver, and mine is a numbered model...Two different animals...So you may not have the original after all...

 

[RobertK3026]

I'm curious to know when your gun shipped and what box did it come in?

I never have never checked for a shipping date.
My 27 was in a wooden presentation case with misc material and the wooden case was in a cardboard box with the serial number and model number on the box.
Like I said if I can learn to post pics I will.

 

[Doc44]

I reviewed the information in the S&WCA Journal dedicated to the 44 Magnum that was published in Spring 2003. The Journal was co-authored by myself and Bob Radaker. Figure 16 shows a case for a 44 Magnum, S155171. The case is contained in a cardboard box numbered to the revolver in black grease pencil. It is the only box numbered to a specific gun I have ever seen. I purchased about fifteen years ago, two cases for 44 Magnums that were most likely purchased separately from the factory and never used for a revolver. They also came in a cardboard box without a number that is like the box for S155171. The reason I don't think the revolver was shipped in the case is it would have torn up the case interior during shipment and the accessories would have possibly damaged the finish of the gun. I think this would have happened even if the gun was tightly wrapped in nox-rust paper. Again, this is my best guess, and I have never seen a separate box for a 44 Magnum revolver (so I may be wrong).

For S&WCA members who can access our Journals, go to Volume 37, Number 1, Spring 2003, Figure 16 on page 5 (pages are not numbered).

Bill

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Never bought a New one.
But several used ones I bought with everything that came from the Factory had the two piece plain, unlabeled, Blue Box.
That was inside a brown cardboard box with the Presentation Case.

 

[waelkhntr]

Bill,
Thank You for your research on this topic.
So, the blue/black case was shipped from S&W to the receiver in a cardboard box without the revolver but we still don't know how the revolver was shipped from S&W to the receiver correct?

Terry

 

[Hair Trigger]

It is my understanding ALL guns with presentation cases were shipped together, albeit with the gun in a separate box. I don't recall if the minutia ordinarily shipped with a gun was with the gun or with the case.

The SWHF Letter I requested after I bought my M27-2 states the gun was shipped inside the presentation case. I did not purchase this gun new, but I got the case and all accessories.

Look at the last line of the last paragraph.

 

[waelkhntr]

Hair Trigger,
Thank you for your response. I find the last sentence in your letter very interesting. Your revolver shipped 21 year 9 days after mine.

Terry

 

[boykinlp]

The SWHF Letter I requested after I bought my M27-2 states the gun was shipped inside the presentation case. I did not purchase this gun new, but I got the case and all accessories.

Look at the last line of the last paragraph.

If the letter is correct, that kind of presentation case isn’t structured the same as the blue/black presentation cases. The blue/black ones have a very flimsy/fragile interior that the heavy gun sits on, making it extremely likely that the gun would cause damage to the interior of the case. The clamshell type has much stronger styrofoam for the gun to sit on, so I could see it being shipped in that kind of case, even though if it were mine, I wouldn’t prefer it shipped that way. JMHO.
Larry

 

[Doc44]

Clamshell cases (1960-1968) and presentation cases used from 1969 through 1978 contained the 44 Magnum revolver inside with accessories when shipped. Prior to 1960 is still a mystery (discussed here) and from 1979 to 1985 the "system" shown in post #3 was used. The presentation case was discontinued for the 44 Magnum in 1985. It was an extra cost option from 1982-1985.

Bill

 

[Hair Trigger]

If the letter is correct, that kind of presentation case isn’t structured the same as the blue/black presentation cases. The blue/black ones have a very flimsy/fragile interior that the heavy gun sits on, making it extremely likely that the gun would cause damage to the interior of the case. The clamshell type has much stronger styrofoam for the gun to sit on, so I could see it being shipped in that kind of case, even though if it were mine, I wouldn’t prefer it shipped that way. JMHO.
Larry

My presentation case has the thin plastic inserts with flocking and isn't styrofoam. My insert could use a little restoration, the flocking is dirty and the area around the hammer spur has torn through, but the gun itself is as perfect as I've seen for one that is over 40 years old. I don't know how S&W packed the presentation case to prevent damage, since I didn't buy mine new or get the original packing/shipping box. I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the Letter.

 

[waelkhntr]

Thank you guys for the additional information and input. Looking forward to continued discussion about what seems to be somewhat of a mystery. When I first posted the question, I figured I would get a couple line response and maybe a picture or two.

Terry

 

[Truckman]

My insert could use a little restoration, the flocking is dirty and the area around the hammer spur has torn through

Our esteemed member here, Joe Cebull (Jcelect), can remedy that problem if and when his busy schedule allows......Ben

 

[Doc44]

Mahogany presentation cases were shipped in split top cardboard shippers until 1979. End labels were affixed in 1962 or 1963 and prior to that the model and serial number of the revolver was written on the shipper in black grease pencil. See photo below (29-2 dates to early 1973). Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

 

[Masterpiece]

My presentation case has the thin plastic inserts with flocking and isn't styrofoam. I don't know how S&W packed the presentation case to prevent damage, since I didn't buy mine new or get the original packing/shipping box. I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the Letter.

The SWHF Letter I requested after I bought my M27-2 states the gun was shipped *inside* the presentation case. Look at the last line of the last paragraph.

Hair Trigger,

Don's notation in his letter as to how yours shipped is "Absolutely correct!!

To explain...Revolvers shipped in the Mahogany Pres. Cases in the era of yours with the Thin Plastic Liners that the Flocking "Actually" remained intact were strapped over the Revolver in place on the inside with a Thin Yellow Banding Material!! (See attached Photo borrowed from (Doc44's Albums)!! Before banding The Revolver itself was completely wrapped in VCI Paper before it was strapped in place as not to cause damage to the finish!!

As an aside...It seemed the procedure worked very well given I never took notice that the Banding ever caused any damage to the Finish on the Revolvers I ever observed!!

Actually I'm somewhat surprised...Bill Cross (Doc44)...Didn't make mention of it as he has a pretty good photo in His Albums showing the Yellow Banding on Your Style Case!!

Sorry Bill as I meant no offense intended as to you not noting it...Just thought I'd post Your Photo for those to see being I don't have a Photo from any of mine with the Banding still in place!! Hope this helps clear things up a bit!!

 

[waelkhntr]

Bill,
Thank you for all information you're providing. Hoping to learn more about the earlier shipping practices.

Terry

 

[Truckman]

Bill Cross (Doc44)...Didn't make mention of it as he has a pretty good photo in His Albums showing the Yellow Banding on Your Style Case!!

I hadn't thought of it until now, but one of my 27-2's still has its original mahogany case which I remember having the remnants of yellow banding as seen in Bill's photo which you posted...I always thought the banding was there to lift the fragile plastic insert without damaging it...Now I realize it had another purpose...I will dig it out from its hidey hole and examine it further......Ben

 

[waelkhntr]

I too have mahogany cases with the yellow banding and unmarked blue box for the gun to be shipped in. I don't have any information about how the pre guns were shipped. I have exhausted my limited research abilities on the subject. If Mr. Cross et al can't answer the question, the mystery may go unsolved.

Thanks everyone for your input and information.

Terry

 

[mmande]

"I always thought the banding was there to lift the fragile plastic insert without damaging it"
That is exactly what it was used for. I have never seen a revolver "strapped down" with it. The guns were wrapped tightly with the VCI paper and placed in the case. When you flipped the case latch for the very first time, the lid would pop up under the pressure of the wrapped gun.
P.S. I have been a gun dealer since 1977 and have opened quite a few factory wrapped Smiths but have no knowledge of how they were shipped before then.
Mike

 

[gmborkovic]

Isnt there any member on the Forum that bought a pre-29 with a blue case? from a dealer. Brand new.

 

[waelkhntr]

I just returned from the FFL that is holding this revolver while it clears all the hurdles. They allowed me to take the case and paperwork with me. This is the first time I have really gotten to look it over (pictures soon). The one item that did catch my eye is the serial number is written in white grease pen along the left end of the box in very nice script. It is faded but very readable.

Terry

 

[Doc44]

Mike...I agree with your post #27. Terry...Generally, the writing of the serial number on the bottom of the case in white grease pencil was discontinued with the introduction of the case with the smooth exterior and clasp style latch in October 1956. However, there are exceptions . See photo below with case from January 1956 (pebble grain exterior).

Bill