Old Maroon Hinged M&P Box

[CBinNH]

I was wondering what time frame this is from. Pre or post war?
The hinge side shows the worst wear & tear.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Beginning in the late 1920's - the patent or display box

Per Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th Edition, page 52-53:

"Around the end of the 1920's, S&W introduced a new type of hinged box with the hinge attached to the bottom edge of lower portion of the box rather than the top edge. The front edge of the box itself was beveled to allow the box lid to close flush, and the box could be opened displaying the contents and thus the name "Display" Because the S&W's patent for this design is marked inside these boxes, they are sometimes alternatively known as "Patent" boxes."

So there you have it! Happen to also have its original contents?

 

[CBinNH]

Thanks for the info.
I looked more closely & see that there is a 1920 patent date printed in the box top.
No original contents. Just the orphan box.

 

[toddimusnimski]

The next box style described is the 2 piece picture box (blue or red), which was used from 1933-1941 and had the model pictured on the lid.

Yours is a nice specimen! Depending on model, the box can have a surprisingly high value. No doubt many were discarded or damaged over time, making them more scarce than the guns themselves.

 

[Sevens]

That’s a beauty, if I owned that I would set about to find a proper item to place inside.

 

[CBinNH]

I guess I need to figure a selling price. Any idea?
I have no need of it.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Tag ^^^^ Moving to the top so Paladin can see this post.

 

[TheHobbyist]

CB, a member on here, PALADIN85020, is looking for this. I just messaged him and told him about your post.

 

[handejector]

John is hunting a nickel box.

 

[Ricsen]

I might be interested in this. Sent you a PM.