Pre-28 first year, what box?

[Jebus35745]

Just bought a pre-28 ser 1116XX and it should be a first year gun. What color or type of box did these come in. Larry

 

[DCWilson]

Mine (S127225) came in a two-piece maroon box with a really simple (and faded) paste-on printed label:

 

[Jebus35745]

Thanks, that one looks hard to find. Larry

 

[BUFF]

I have a 4 incher, S 1139XX, that has a blue box with, I think, silver print on the lid. July, 1954.

DC, is yours a 6 incher?

 

[DCWilson]

Yes, six inches.

 

[Jebus35745]

Mine is a 6" also. Larry

 

[beagleye]

David-

Are there instructions inside the top of that awesome box?

Thanks, Pete

 

[handejector]

Mine (S127225) came in a two-piece maroon box with a really simple (and faded) paste-on printed label:

Interesting.
I've never seen one shipped in a maroon box.
Did it come with Target grips? That might be a reason.
Also- is there a date rubber stamped inside the lid?

All I have ever seen are in the blue-black boxes with white glue-on labels. These are the dull boxes that are not glossy and often fade to dark gray.

 

[wheelgun610]

....All I have ever seen are in the blue-black boxes with white glue-on labels. These are the dull boxes that are not glossy and often fade to dark gray.

Here's one I sold here on the forum maybe 10 years ago. It's the only one I ever saw in this color. It had the April 1955 statement of liability and warranty info printed inside the top.

Mark

 

[The Gila Bender]

Highway Patrolman, s/n S114081, 4", blue. Shipped July 20, 1954 to Union Hardware, Los Angeles. The matching box is a little rough, but it's original.

 

[samandglove1]

All I have ever seen are in the blue-black boxes with white glue-on labels. These are the dull boxes that are not glossy and often fade to dark gray.

Just like this one Lee.

 

[gmborkovic]

Ash, you are in the early Rolex Club. Nice timepiece. I have a 1969 Red Sub Dad gave me. The box I would say is not commonly run across.
I like all the old pre 1957 stuff.

 

[JSR III]

What color or type of box did these come in. Larry

Larry, they came in the blue empty box like I have in my gun room. Send me the gun and I will put it in the correct box for you.

 

[DCWilson]

Sorry for the slow response. Fighting phone and computer upgrade battles the last couple of days.
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The box has a completely blank interior.



Nothing on the bottom other than the SN.



The gun is just a fairly nice HP with the standard magnas. I don't see any evidence it ever had target stocks on it.



The label is about 95% faded away, but I eventually worked out that it reads:

SMITH & WESSON
HIGHWAY PATROLMAN
6 INCH BLUED

EDITED TO ADD: Note that this box has no metal reinforcing on the corners. I suspect it is just a taped utility box that was pressed into service so they could ship a gun while they were waiting for a new supply of standard heavy boxes.

I dimly recall seeing a thread years ago with a photo of a different maroon HP box, but I couldn't find it with a cursory search a few minutes ago.
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