HE 32-20 and a box for same

[Teddydog]

Today was a good day at the gun show. Half a row in I scored one of my wish-list guns (sorry, not a S&W) and then a little later I found this S&W box:

Made a deal to buy it. No papers or anything else, just a nice old box.

I don't currently have a S&W 32-20 (but do have both single- and double-action Colts). Hmm...

A favorite dealer of mine has been tempting me with a couple of nice 32-20s for a while, but none of them were really a match for the box (a very nice early 1905 4" with correct grips, a 6 1/2" 1902 and a refinished 5" 1905).

Then I came across this guy and bought it as a placeholder for the box. The finish leaves something to be desired, but is not "grey" like it looks in the pics. Not sure why my color is all off. It does have staining and some shallow pitting, but it is number matching except for the incorrect stocks.

The SN is 63,041 which should make it a Model of 1905 3rd change from 1909-15.

And finally with it "in the box" (though I think the box is earlier than this gun).

I'd love to learn more about the time frame for this box.

Oh...for anyone not turned off by non-SW guns, here's the Ruger .357 Maximum that I got for a great price:

Rob

 

[DWalt]

From my SN list, the revolver is more than likely an M&P (S&W quit using the Model of 1905 nomenclature in around 1914-15) which shipped sometime in 1916. The barrel stamping was changed to .32 WCF (which is what yours has) from .32 Winchester in 1914. The box would necessarily be from 1914 or earlier. Those 1930s grips are worthwhile, despite being non-original, and are not too easily found.

 

[Teddydog]

For any of you who buy old boxes, what do you think the value is of this one? Seller was asking $100 and accepted my $80 offer.

Rob

 

[larryofcc]

This is exactly like the box I posted and asked about. It is not a picture box, but mine has a colored label for a 4" M&P 38 Special.
Much better condition, I paid $150 for it. I still would like a time frame as this particular box is not listed in Supicas book.
Buy the box. They can be restored. Big Larry

 

[larryofcc]

Today was a good day at the gun show. Half a row in I scored one of my wish-list guns (sorry, not a S&W) and then a little later I found this S&W box:

Made a deal to buy it. No papers or anything else, just a nice old box.

I don't currently have a S&W 32-20 (but do have both single- and double-action Colts). Hmm...

A favorite dealer of mine has been tempting me with a couple of nice 32-20s for a while, but none of them were really a match for the box (a very nice early 1905 4" with correct grips, a 6 1/2" 1902 and a refinished 5" 1905).

Then I came across this guy and bought it as a placeholder for the box. The finish leaves something to be desired, but is not "grey" like it looks in the pics. Not sure why my color is all off. It does have staining and some shallow pitting, but it is number matching except for the incorrect stocks.

The SN is 63,041 which should make it a Model of 1905 3rd change from 1909-15.

And finally with it "in the box" (though I think the box is earlier than this gun).

I'd love to learn more about the time frame for this box.

Oh...for anyone not turned off by non-SW guns, here's the Ruger .357 Maximum that I got for a great price:

Rob

Hey Rob, some of us have other guns in our collections. I have several old collectible Rugers, and one is a 4 digit 357 Blackhawk. That Ruger is a nice one. Big Larry