Have I become an original box & grips snob?

[bushmaster1313]

Recently picked up a nice 19-3 to replace my first gun that I sold almost 40 years ago.

It joins its big brother Model 27-2:

Of course, I am now scouring the internet for a nickel Model 36. But the 19-3 came with original box and grips, and I find myself focused only on similarly situated Model 36's. I have even toyed with the idea of upgrading the Model 27-2 to one with an original box.

Am I now a box and grips snob, or have I simply succumbed to the dreaded affliction that manifests itself by the loss of all reason and sense of proportion when it comes to Smith & Wesson revolvers?

 

[Laketime]

Personally I have only looked at the gun when buying . I don't consider guns to be a cookie cutter scenario of production. Some guns are better than others , if the box comes with it that makes it better.

 

[GerSan69]

Recently picked up a nice 19-3 to replace my first gun that I sold almost 40 years ago.

It joins its big brother Model 27-2:

Of course, I am now scouring the internet for a nickel Model 36. But the 19-3 came with original box and grips, and I find myself focused only on similarly situated Model 36's. I have even toyed with the idea of upgrading the Model 27-2 to one with an original box.

Am I now a box and grips snob, or have I simply succumbed to the dreaded affliction that manifests itself by the loss of all reason and sense of proportion when it comes to Smith & Wesson revolvers?

It's not snobbery. Every collector of anything collectible has their own criteria for the items in their collection. It's certainly not limited to guns.

 

[Radco]

IMO it is nice to have all the original parts and box ! So I am in the same club lol

 

[Babysitr]

a snob? maybe so, but I admire your collection goals! mine are differrent since I shoot all mine, and boxes are awesome, but no box usually makes them cheaper

 

[Narragansett]

I own guns with boxes and without boxes. The condition of the gun is what drives me. Most of us are not( IMO ) collectors. We have a collection, are an accumulator or hobbyist. I have a couple guns that are collector grade. Most are high condition shooters, because they have been shot. However little that may be. Back in the day, almost nobody kept the box, and numbered grips when in a box at a LGS, when they were replaced.

So IMO if the gun is what I want, and in the condition I want, I do not really care so much about the box. However, if it came with accessories like 2 sets of grips, or interchangeable sights or an xtra fitted cylinder, I do want them.

 

[Doc44]

You should be able to find the correct presentation case for your Model 27-2.

Bill

 

[series guy]

Some nice examples there. Better tighten the screw on the Model 27 rear sight or it might jettison itself.

 

[Hennypenny]

Not at all! That's how they're supposed to be when you're paying for one in top condition. And no one who likes S&W revolvers has any sense of proportion or reason. Almost as bad as Winchester collectors.

 

[RKmesa]

As Doc44 noted above you should be able to find the correct presentation case for your 27-2. In general, the wood presentation cases were not numbered to a specific gun. And they really are nice. You could also have a custom case made for your gun … like this one for one of my 3.5" 27-2s.









Good luck!!!

 

[22hipower]

You could also have a custom case made for your gun … like this one for one of my 3.5" 27-2s.

Wow, beautiful Richard! Makes me consider skipping the guns and just collecting custom cases. . . . .although that 27-2 looks pretty nice too.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello 1313, Yes you are a box and grip snob. I know, Im one. To me,
a box and grips kind of indicate a gun thats in nice shape and well cared for.

 

[Chuck24]

Prefer the complete package, but the box is not a deal breaker if everything else is righteous and priced accordingly.

 

[Krogen]

You are not a snob! But yes, you have succumbed. Welcome aboard! It's nice to have like-minded company on this boat!

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I am not really a big box guy.

But I do want the original grips with any gun that I buy. Otherwise, I will expect a deep discount.

 

[JH1951]

For my 'collectible' pieces I desire grips numbered to the gun as well as the proper box. (For my 'tools' it really doesn't matter at all.)
I never considered myself a snob concerning those issues, perhaps a bit discriminating, but not a snob. Of the collectible ones I have, all grips match (except one which is one digit off), and most have the box that they shipped in. That is what I like and I'm not ashamed of it one little bit. My thinking is that there are many fewer boxes out there than there are guns, so a piece with an original box is somewhat more scarce than one without a box. When setting a value while buying I will factor in a premium for the original box, and generally pass on a piece with the wrong grips. There are those folks that chuckle about my preferences, but what I reject leaves more for those that simply don't care. Not caring about the box and matching stocks is just fine too. My preferences certainly do not have to be yours, nor the preference of another mine. It is what I like, and that is how I lean when collecting.
To me, there is nothing like finding a 1950's vintage Chiefs Special in excellent condition, all matching numbers, in the original box with factory papers and a sales receipt.....

 

[kennyb]

Yeah, I'm a bit of a snob as well. I recently found and re-acquired a colt Det.special that i owned 43 years ago. Yes, the very same one. Not having the box did not slow me a bit LOLOL

 

[GSP Fan]

I have guns with and without the boxes. I won't let the absence of the box deter a purchase in any way. As to the originality of the grips I much prefer the original ones but it's been my observation over the short time I've been here that the original grips are changed out on a regular basis.

 

[rubiranch]

I prefer the factory grips that it came with the gun from the factory. And I like having the boxes and the tools too.

I have a few that I don't have the original grips and I have a few that do.








I changed the grips on my 640-1 and picked S&W smooth Combat grips.
These feel god to me on this particular gun.
I have the original case for this one too.

 

[larryofcc]

I would say about 1/2 of my 58 S&Ws have boxes and all have matching number stocks. At this stage in my collecting, I try to buy the best I can afford and it is a must to me that ALL numbers match. I do try to buy boxed guns too.
Due to my handicap, I cannot shoot any longer, so I am not interested in shooters.
I also buy correct vintage boxes for my early no box guns.
On this Forum, I just bought a near mint, 30's Patent Box, for a near mint 4" 1935 vintage, M&P .38, I have had for a few years.
None of my "N" frame early guns have boxes, but I am looking.
I also collect period sealed boxes of ammo for all my guns. Big Larry

 

[two-bit cowboy]

When I first began to accumulate Chiefs I didn't pay much attention to condition so correct grips and boxes meant nothing to me.

After the herd grew I changed to want (not quite demand) matching serial numbered grips and better condition examples, which usually also came in the correct box. Many of those earlier any-condition-will-do Chiefs have since moved on.

A few of my Chiefs don't have number-matching grips, but I've come to pick up one of those only if the particular model is a bit hard to come by. For example, my only Baby Chiefs Special with a nickel finish came with non-diamond Chiefs Special grips that had been cut down to fit the Baby. I had an extra set of Baby Chiefs grips that actually fit pretty well so those non-diamond grips now live on a old I-frame Terrier back East somewhere.

If I had to call myself a name it wouldn't be snob, and I don't consider anyone who has high standards a snob, either.

 

[Old_Cop]

This is an interesting question but what kind of discount would you expect on a reg. mag. with incorrect grips and no box?

 

[Engine49guy]

I'm old enough to remember buying a shiney new model 66-2 for the police Academy, removing the factory wood grips replacing them with rubber pachmayers then carefully placing the wood stocks in the box and tossing it into the trash.
Back then it was just a tool for the job and most gun stores had boxes of factory grips on the counter by the register for $5 a set.

Times change

 

[bushmaster1313]

You should be able to find the correct presentation case for your Model 27-2.

Bill

The 27-2 came with its original presentation case but not the original box with the numbered sticker

 

[Narragansett]

This is an interesting question but what kind of discount would you expect on a reg. mag. with incorrect grips and no box?

Very good question. However, the air is a little thin for me in this area. I do not know what they are worth, and most certainly do not know how to estimate the added value of the box.

I suppose I need to retract my original statement a bit. When I said I was more concerned about the condition of the gun, as opposed to having the box, I was no doubt speaking to the 1950 to 1982 era where most of my collection falls.

I did buy a rather nice 38/44 Outdoorsman, that I would not have bought without the original grips, and the grease pencil marked box

 

[larryofcc]

I have a near mint pre war 38-44 Outdoorsman.
It is in its original blue picture box with the tape and correct serial number.
The gun also sports pre war magnas that also number to the gun.
it went to an individual named Bernard Vanderbrook in 1940.
Pretty revolver, it also sports a ringed Humpback Hammer also mentioned in the letter.
I probably would not have bought this gun without the box. No papers and no SAT. Big Larry

 

[Inland7-45]

I have S&W revolvers both with and without box. I have a model 36, an 18 a 27 and a 34 that were purchased new between 1968 and 1978. At the time I thought of older guns as being collectable while I looked at the guns from the late 60s onward as guns that were bought for a specific purpose. I really did not give any consideration to the future collectibility of these guns. Unfortunately with the exception of the model 27 a no longer have the boxes or paperwork. I carried and used these guns and took good care of them but did not give any consideration to boxes or even the original stocks. As time passed I gained a greater understanding of what it means to be a collector. Over the last few years I have added some nice S&Ws from the 1930s to early 1970,s. I am focused on guns from 1900-1980. The first thing that I look at is overall condition, right hand stock panel numbered to gun and factory installed options.I am ok with factory refinish if the gun is priced accordingly. Not having the box would not be a deal breaker and I would pay extra if present.

 

[BC38]

As Doc44 noted above you should be able to find the correct presentation case for your 27-2. In general, the wood presentation cases were not numbered to a specific gun. And they really are nice. You could also have a custom case made for your gun … like this one for one of my 3.5" 27-2s.









Good luck!!!

MAN! That is just SO over-the-top! Thanks for sharing.

 

[BC38]

I'm old enough to remember buying a shiney new model 66-2 for the police Academy, removing the factory wood grips replacing them with rubber pachmayers then carefully placing the wood stocks in the box and tossing it into the trash.
Back then it was just a tool for the job and most gun stores had boxes of factory grips on the counter by the register for $5 a set.

Times change

BOY HOWDY do they ever!

 

[chief38]

Well I guess I am a "gun snob" too! I really like and prefer a complete package which includes the original condition gun, paper work, tools and pristine box. I'd say at least 85% - 90% of my collection is that way (complete) but I do have a few that were just gun only purchases. What I do in that case is I try and find an original factory box, paper work and tools that would be period and model correct for that specific gun. Obviously the serial number won't match the box but I do the best I can. Thankfully most of mine were purchased complete and original.

Original factory grips are still out there from time to time but obviously getting harder to find and more expensive as time goes on. I've got a descent stash of them that I have squirreled away over the years but since I rarely need to use one as a replacement myself, I might decide to sell the "back ups" one of these days.