How important are boxes and papers to you

[A10]

I don't think today's anything will be worth what the older stuff is worth. Too many people are saving everything now in the hope it will be worth something someday.

Wait 'till they outlaw plastic........

 

[29-1]

A lot actually.

 

[boykinlp]

A lot actually.

I always heard that there was a box warehouse out there. Now I know who the caretaker is!

 

[Göring's S&W]

I chose not to answer, because I did not like any options. For me it would be:

"Adds to (personal) value, welcomed, but not a reason to pass on a gun."

I also am not the type that tries to assemble a package after getting a gun without anything. A box from another gun, is often (not always) just that, a box from a different gun. I think the options were too specific, and its not really black and white for most, IMO.

 

[chez323]

Ditto what he said, I buy guns to shoot not to collect. Nothing I own will ever not be shot. That said a box and paperwork would be nice to have, but in no way shape or form is it a deal breaker. My focus is on the gun itself.... as that's what I'll be shooting, not the box and paperwork.

I always prefer to buy with the box and docs, but will buy a nice revolver without them.

 

[MP1518]

Box and papers are always nice to have. Even withmore recent guns. Some REALLY rare guns that You are lucky to find in any condition, dont need boxes to make them collectible. People who collect common guns and want them 99% unfired in boxes with factory air trapped in them, are just collecting condition. IMHO.

 

[Stophel]

I don't personally care about them much. Of course, the older the gun, the neater it would be to have the original box... but the neatest old guns are usually out of my price range anyway!

The only time I really found the box beneficial is when I bought my 624... With the big Red "C" stamped on the box, I knew that it had been through the cylinder test.

 

[Gunhacker]

I'm with the "it depends" crowd, and pretty much echo what mbliss57 has said.

The one exception where I do place an empathsis on having the original box, paperwork and tools is the M53 Jet, due to the unique nature of the box having the cutouts for storing the .22 LR inserts, auxiliary cylinder, and the tool kit... because of the tapered cleaning mop for the jet cylinder.

 

[sw282]

Like 29-1 says, "A lot". l think 2 piece S&W boxes are as good an investment as the guns, and will only go UP. They are scarcer , more fragile and cant be refinished or restored. Just look at some of the crazy prices they bring on the net

 

[Harry_Callahan]

410bore,

help me find some of that nox rust paper for my 1965 17-2 6"


please

 

[Jim Tom]

I prefer to have the original box and extras, and will pay extra to get the originals, but if it's a gun I really want, not having a box is not a deal breaker.

I also like to store my handguns in their boxes, they stack better in my safe and it helps protect my investment.

 

[wdr2345]

Last week I was trying to decide between a nice 442-1 and a 642-? (don't remember the dash). Both were used and in beautiful shape but the 642 was $425 while the 442 was $475. Really wanted the stainless model but the blue one has no lock. Agonized over whether I really wanted to pay the extra $50 to give up the stainless just to not have a lock. Asked about boxes; 442 with; and 642 without. That made up my mind... got the 442 and am very pleased with it. Sure the box is hiding in my closet with all my other boxes but if I ever do decide to sell, it might add some value.

 

[Andyd]

I posted "unimportant" since I am mainly looking for a nice gun to shoot. I have plenty of old cleaning kits and screwdrivers from the time when they were sold from a bin in gunstores.

I am more interested in performance of a gun than collector's value.

 

[MP1518]

I have a MINTY (with box) 18-3 , same condition three inch CS-1, three inch 29-4 and P&R three inch model 65 .

All guns are minty with boxes and mint condition .

I shoot my model 18-3 all the time , carry onthers off duty sometimes and shoot them too.

Last three guns I mentioned are GREAT guns! Great carry guns. NOT COLLECTORS ITEMS.

As I said before , many people who we call COLLECTORS , collect COMMON guns in an UNCOMMON condition .

A LNIB nickel 29-2 that is RAELLY like new, is NOT a rare gun.

But to find one in that condition may notbe that easy

A first year production Walther PPK is VERY hard to find in ANY condition .

 

[echo1xg36c]

Same as others have said.
I buy 99% of my guns to shoot not to collect. If its something super rare and the papers and box are there thats awesome. But if the price is jacked up beyond what I'm willing to pay than no thanks.

 

[hotrod150]

I bought a 1955-ish pre-model 37 airweight Chief a few days ago. The seller also had an early 1960's pre-Bangor Punta model 37 box, which I decided to buy for an extra $25. I'm not that nt boxes, but I figured I'd drool over it for a while then maybe resell it. The very next day the seller called me up- he'd just unexpectedly scored a pristine early 1960's model 37 and wanted to buy the box back. I told him I'd take what I paid plus postage, but he insisted on paying me $35 and is sending me a set of later-model magnas to boot. Quicker turnaround on that box than I'd figured, but I'm coming out ahead plus he's getting what he wanted too.

 

[Cdog]

To own and shoot, having the box means nothing to me.

I was surprised a few years back when people started expecting boxes with used weapons?

If it's an older unfired collectible, then sure it adds value. A used firearm is still a used firearm to me.

 

[Nframecollector]

I don't lose sleep over not having the box and paper for some guns. But I do have several S&W boxes without the guns!

 

[fishcreekrim]

I like to find excellent condition to near excellent guns w/o box and paper, I can acquire nice shooters without bidding against serious collectors.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I am really interested in the boxes and all paperwork & accessories that came with a new REVOLVER or pistol. Having made that statement I am from the generation that threw the boxes away or put them somewhere and forgot where they were. I have learned from you guys that the OTHER things that were included are also very valuable in their own right so have been taught the error of my ways, so to speak. Most everything I own was purchased without any of the things that came with the revolver so its been a fun learning experience for me just knowing there is/was more than the revolver or pistol that is of value.
The lack of a box or accessories has not played into whether or not I decided to make the purchase although I wish I had been better educated during the years things were more reasonable, things would have been very different.

Isn't there some way you can carbon date the box tools and paperwork to ensure they came with the gun and were not added afterward??? I think they used to micro stamp the screwdrivers and cleaning rods with the last four digits of the serial number of the gun.