Revolver original boxes

[jeffrefrig]

I was curious, as I've seen/read about people buying, selling, or looking for original boxes for the S&W revolvers. So, I thought I'd look at prices for a couple handguns I own. I decided that some buyers and sellers are in a class of their own. We'll leave it at that! I have some swamp land in East Palestine, Ohio, that has a grove of box trees on it if anyone is interested! (This coming from a guy that likes to spruce up old Griswold burners/hot plates, whatever they're called!)
I suppose I can understand a gun being sold in the box it left the factory in, other than that, no way!

 

[dasnake]

What is your point

I did exactly what you mention 15 years ago, reason was I bought a 29-2 with the presentation box and no tools except a dirty bore shirling brush, I started buying the knurled sight adjuster tools, I then bought about 25 of them from different members, then started buying the papers for the guns I have, then a quest for the boxes started which I fulfilled, I've filled in all the handguns and all my off saw guns also.
I put saw wood on all and cokes on the 44, this goes with all my long guns which I've brought to good condition and wood has all been redone also, this is all for my eye and I enjoy doing it.
For me I find it enjoyable and I think when I'm gone the scenario I've left for my wife will make them easier to get rid of the stinken things, just my thoughts about your query.

 

[cmansguns]

some thoughts on S&W boxes

There are collectors of most everything ever made, cars, pottery, toys, musical instruments, tools, etc. et. al. ad infinitum. Cardboard containers for retail display/sales have almost always led the way until anti-theft, blister packs came along.

With firearms I, like many others, came into guns as "tools" whether hunting, target shooting, plinking or carry for self-defense. Just like toys at Christmas, the container is the first thing to get trashed, and with long guns the box gets trashed even quicker. In the 60's and 70's most LGS that I dealt with in several States, sold a handgun, holster, ammo, and maybe a belt too to the buyer and out the door he/she went. Boxes stacked up in the back room until trash time.

Now we are in 2020, some original boxes are in my case alone anywhere from 105 year old to my "newest" at 40 years old. I didn't search any out separately, they came with the gun and I never attributed (or paid) any premium for them, UNTIL these modern times when any collector would be remiss not to add some value for these irreplaceable items.

The S&W boxes I have are original to:
22-32 HFT shipped 9-20-1915; Model 36 shipped Jan 1967; Model 31-1 October 11, 1975, Model 39-2 1977, Model 27-2 shipped May 8, 1980.

S&W Boxes I have been given by people who had no use for them and were going to throw away, are for a Model 14-3, 6" with serial number 12K6426, and for a Model 10, 4" Blue, with s/n obliterated on the box end label.

Since I do own a Model 14-3, 6" and several Model 10, 4" these boxes (and the paperwork included) are period correct for my guns but not "THE" box as Collectors label the originals.

Anyway...just my opinion..USED to be not worth a premium, but are valuable today with the gun they shipped with, otherwise to me of lot lesser value.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I understand now, after thinking about it, how people can pay or get paid $300 for a box that a certain model was shipped with, although not original to the gun itself. It just seems expensive, me looking in from the outside to another person's world. The only SAT I have would probably only fetch $75 give or take, (I'm only guessing) but I know it came with my dad's K22 and I'd never sell it, as it will go with the gun to somebody in the family. I've heard unwrapped McDonalds Happy Meal toys are quite the market.
dasnake, I think I understand a little better now.

 

[Sevens]

I think all of the reasons and ideas and arguments matter, but NONE of them comes close to the raw numbers which simply cannot be argued:

How ever many of -any- model were ever made (ever!), there exists fewer original boxes for that model. Simple fact.

That doesn't need to suggest that the box is worth as much as the gun or even anywhere near the gun, but it certainly shows why there is value in a box, even one for which you don't happen to have the exactly correct gun to go in it.

Beyond the simple collectibility of the box all by itself, the market has proven over and over, again and again and again daily that a handgun for sale in a box, even if it isn't SN'd to the box, enhances the sale.

If you are a potential buyer and you don't agree -- that's fine. You are in the minority. There's nothing wrong with your stance, as long as you can accept that it doesn't reflect the larger portion of the buying market.

A sideshow to all of this that opens a rotten can of worms are the "fake" and reproduction boxes, usually found on Ebay, and mostly proliferated for older models of Colt revolvers.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Sevens, yes, I do agree with all comments and yours above. It helps me understand a lot better. For example, if there were two model Xs in the showcase, priced at $200 for the one without a box, and $250 for the one with the box, assuming they are equal in condition, I would spring for the $250 gun. (Actually, any S&W revolver in shooter condition would go home with me for 250!) I suppose if I found a 6" K22 Masterpiece box for a 1950 manufactured revolver, I would probably pay $100 for it, but I'm not in the hunt. Now, if I were and bought one, now I'd have to find a box for a 15-3, then maybe one for a 10-8! Addicting!!! Peace, and thank yinz guys!