Guns with presentation cases?

[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

 

[Doc44]

I asked Roy Jinks about how early 44 Magnums were shipped. He did not know the answer, but is of the opinion the revolver was not shipped in the case. He said the case and revolver (properly packaged) were most likely stored together in a shipping box and shipped together in that manner. I would also guess, knowing S&W's practices, the serial number of the gun was written in black grease pencil on the shipping box.

This makes sense to me and I will accept his answer as to how the early guns were shipped.

Bill

 

[Rad29]

Mike,

A member who may have purchased a new Pre-29 from a dealer in the late fifties would have to be in their mid to late eighties depending on the age of consent back then.

As Bill mentioned, I have only seen a couple of the outer shipping light cardboard containers with the pre-29 serial number on the bottom. They are quite flimsy with lightly taped corners but one would expect to have seen more? How were 4 screw and early model marked 29's in the pebble cases shipped? Perhaps if the guns were shipped in the case, it may be the reason so many cases have cloth tears at the front sight and near the rear sight? The new elastic may have actually held the tools well but I would have expected to see more early guns with marks.

Bob

 

[waelkhntr]

Bill: This makes sense to me and I will accept his answer as to how the early guns were shipped.

And I will as well, Thank you and everyone that participated in this conversation.


Terry

 

[boykinlp]

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.

Hair Trigger, your presentation case has a different interior from the blue/black cases. I was just trying to say that I could see a clamshell type presentation case being used to ship a gun in because of its better construction, unlike the blue/black cases that the OP was referring to.
Larry

 

[KSK]

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

Here are some pictures of the notice Bill described. I found it affixed to the inner left side of one of my Pre-29 cases.
-Karl

 

[Doc44]

Thanks Karl. I knew I had seen that notice somewhere.

Bill

 

[pasound]

This is only from memory. Many years ago I bought a 25-2 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible, and the dealer put it in a cardboard box, then inside a larger box, and put the display case on top. Outside box was marked S&W with the appropriate paper decal with the serial and specifications.

 

[waelkhntr]

KSK,
Thank you for the picture and information. I very carefully removed the bottom liner of my case to see if there was a similar label but alas no such label was found. I have two unmarked blue boxes one similar to the one in the picture that Truckman posted (bright blue) and the other is much darker in color. Any idea of which came first the bright blue or the darker blue box? The bright blue came with the gun, case, tools.

Thank You again for all the information.

Terry

 

[TheTinMan]

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

I recently acquired a 25-5 shipped in 1979 that was packaged just like Truckman’s here.

 

[KSK]

KSK,
Thank you for the picture and information. I very carefully removed the bottom liner of my case to see if there was a similar label but alas no such label was found. I have two unmarked blue boxes one similar to the one in the picture that Truckman posted (bright blue) and the other is much darker in color. Any idea of which came first the bright blue or the darker blue box? The bright blue came with the gun, case, tools.

Thank You again for all the information.

Terry

You’re welcome. It’s the only box I’ve ever seen with the label. Sorry, but I don’t know about the darker or lighter variations of blue shipping boxes like Truckman posted.