So...what is the big deal about a box?

[s&wchad]

I've sold a number of empty gun boxes for between $100 and $600. I've seen others top $2,000.

Send me all the nice old boxes you have and I'll gladly reimburse shipping and buy you a beer.

 

[lowriderfxr]

never had either, or a RM, but would like to find out.

I think you should buy yourself one for a retirement present! You deserve it!!!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

One time I was selling off a small collection that I had purchased.
When I was selling a pretty beat up Win 1892 to a guy that I knew, I ask him, hold on a second, do you want the box?
He really laughed! I have no idea what that box would even look like.

I would love to have the case for my pre 29.
And my P- R 629. Oh yes I would.

 

[g8rb8]

So...what is the big deal about a box?

I like boxes for many reasons.

Many call us gun nuts.
Our wives complain about our hobby.
And now lawdog gives us trouble for liking boxes.

I should've stayed in bed this morning.

 

[Arik]

I'm like the OP. I want the gun nor what it came in. Most of my guns were bought without boxes. However since so many people make a fuss about it I just keep them.....al 3 or 4 of them. If they feel like it was taken care of better or worth more then it's more money in my pocket on trade in. But I rake care of my guns exectly the same with or without the box.

 

[marinevet]

You always hear "they don't make that gun any more", guess what, they don't make the boxes for that gun any more either……….

Semper Fi!

 

[hoc9sw]

Having the original box and papers adds a tone of correctness to a transaction. Serious collectors of anything will add importance, if not also value, to any item that can be tied to a time or event, and can be seen in the original condition.

I've seen flea market coin "dealers" who clean coins so people will buy the sparkle. Pity is, that destroys the collector value.

I don't much care about boxes until I take a gun to put on consignment. Not all guns survive the honeymoon. The box, papers, and original tools / locks / etc. do add value, at least in the market I am in.

 

[Geno44]

A lot of buyers of used Corvettes want the "window sticker" that was on the car when new. You can buy a reproduction for a little under $100.

 

[03Fatboy]

Different strokes for different folks. What if we were all the same, yuk. Some like blondes, some red heads, me like brunettes with big......️️ [emoji15]

 

[mauser9]

Plus the boxes are a lot nicer and useful as carrying devices especially the S&W blue plastic boxes with the carrying handle.

 

[rusty37874]

To each his own. If anyone has any useless older S&W boxes please send them my way. Even better if the papers and goodie are included.

Agree, I long have been interested in boxes, original paperwork.
My wife finds this quite amusing and has dubbed me the " Kardboard King"

 

[regalsc]

I also am a shooter but I have a few collectable revolvers but only one has the original box & paperwork. My latest purchase is a 66-4 3" unfired but no box. One very close but fired with box went for $700 more than I paid. In the distant past I threw the boxes away & lost at least two presentation cases.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

The real value in the box, if you can verify that the label hasn't been altered or removed and replaced with a forgery, is it is another thing to authenticate the firearm. If a factory letter is worth $50.00 to a $100.00 shouldn't a box be?

 

[mauser9]

Heck after listening to you guys I sure wish I would have asked for the box my 66 made puma skinner probably came with. Did not know they came boxed way back then. Recall the knife was mounted in a wooden display case. Hate to think how many valuable boxes have been tossed!

 

[srsmyth]

I would never pay more for a gun just because it had the original box.....that said .....I would never throw one away because of how many people seek those guns out

There always seems to be differences between buying and selling.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

You...can...sell..a firearm for more money with the box.

 

[TTSH]

You...can...sell..a firearm for more money with the box.

There ya go! True! One LGS I frequent separates their used & consignment guns into boxed and no box. Guess which side I shop first!

Everybody already knows that I'm a big "box" guy and have explained it 5 or 6 times before so I won't repeat my mantra here. Original factory box = good. No box = not so good.

It is also a fact that I own a box that is worth more than the gun that came in it. I'd never sell either (it's a family heirloom thang) so it's kind of a moot point... but it is a fact!

 

[PDX1953]

A lot of buyers of used Corvettes want the "window sticker" that was on the car when new. You can buy a reproduction for a little under $100.

Ford has / had a free window sticker generator. Just put in the VIN and out pops a nice reproduction. Did it for my 2003 Escape & now that I remembered it, I may create one for my Flex.

 

[timn8er]

Speaking of those window stickers, years ago, in my checkered past, I worked at a body shop that specialized in fiberglass. No offense to any that might be on this board, but Vette people are just a little out there. It wasn't uncommon at all for a new Vette owner to bring in his ride & have us remove the window with the sticker(I believe it's called a Mulroony?)& replace it with a brand new piece of factory glass. It wasn't cheap, either! That way if he ever sold it, he would bring it in & have us trade the glass out, & his sticker would still be perfect.

 

[PMRet]

This is only my opinion, but to me, having the box and the original accessories demonstrates that the previous owner(s) exercised a certain degree of care with the firearm. Not having those items reduces the price I will pay, to a degree. I am a shooter, and not a collector, but still . . .

My thoughts exactly. Plus, the box and accessories almost always add significant value if you resell a gun. Not that I buy guns with the idea of reselling them, but it does happen occasionally for one reason or another. I consider myself to be a "shooting collector" in that I shoot most of my guns, but I also take very good care of them so that they will hold their value.