This one does not have the same border as pictured in the SCSW. I believe the gun (SN: 29155) is from about 1954-1956. The blue is sun faded like the box for my 44HE Target from 1954. What's up with this box?
Starburst Box For My 22/32 Kitgun
- Thread starter Retired W4
- Start date
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Masterpiece
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Retired W4,
Actually it's not faded...What you have there is what some of us .22-32 Kit-Gun Collectors like to refer to as a (Blue-Gray) Transition Box used for a short period between the Red Boxes & when the Blue-Blue Boxes started to show up shortly before guns started being stamped with Model No.s!!
So given the Ser. No. Range you posted Your Revolver is...Your Box is correct!! Color-Wise anyway unless the Ser. No. doesn't match...If in fact there's one there!!
Almost forgot...The Borders are different on those Boxes...At least all I've ever crossed paths were!!
OP
Here all this time I thought they were faded. Thank you. Pics of the new Kit Gun as soon as I get it cleaned up.
Masterpiece
Member
Retired W4,
Well I can't say it's "Not" faded...Just that yours looks to be in pretty good condition compared to some I've seen!!
Reason being I've seen them lighter, darker & in between plus yours also exhibits quite a bit of Silver in the Corner Rosettes & the S&W Emblem given a lot of times they fade to almost a white-like look when faded too terribly!!
Also when taking Photos of these...How much lighting makes a big difference in the looks of the coloring as well!!
OP
Here is the gun that belongs to the box. There is no trace of grease pencil on the bottom of the box but the SN is lightly written in pen. I'm guessing the SN was put there after the fact but that is just a guess. Still, it's a nice addition to my modest kit gun collection (pre-34, pre-35, 43, 51 and a 34-1. I need to get a group photo soon.
Masterpiece
Member
Retired W4,
Quick question...Does the Box End Label note the Revolver in it has a 2-Inch Barrel or isn't the End Label no longer there??
Reason I ask...To me that looks like either a Pre-34 4" Barrel Box or Possibly even a Pre-43 Airweight 3 1/2" Barrel Box...Border is different as well for a 2" Gun..Hmmm!!
If all goes well...I'll post a Photo of a 2" Revolver on the Box I believe Yours should be in so you can see the Different Border design...Diamond Pattern I like to call it!!
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I don't know whether it clears or clouds the question, but here are pics of the box I received with my 2" Model of 1953 (S/N 25455) which Roy said shipped November 1956...
...Ben
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OP
I thought this thing looked too big for a 2" gun. The auctioneer here is infamous for altering and re-numbering boxes. Note the barrel length is conveniently defaced. It probably originally said 4".
Masterpiece
Member
Retired W4,
Since it's taking to long for Truckman's Photos to download to see...I tried again to post the 2" Kit-Gun Photo that previously wouldn't download for me...Worked "Finally"!! Hopefully it's the same as Truckman's!!
Since it's taking to long for Truckman's Photos to download to see...I tried again to post the 2" Kit-Gun Photo that previously wouldn't download for me...Worked "Finally"!! Hopefully it's the same as Truckman's!!
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Here is my blue/black box from August 1956. Came with a .357 Combat Magnum. Not a starburst, so think the style before starburst, but the same color. Also a little faded. Have heard that that is common. Has been 69 years you know.
Masterpiece
Member
Retired W4,
Well you were definitely right...That's a 4" Box for certain!! And yes...Don't you just love those that try to make you believe what they're selling is Correct...Ha!!-Ha!!
Now to comparing the Photo I finally was able to Post compared to Truckman's...His Non-Sunray/Sunburst Box with the Solid Border is definitely the one you're looking for!!
I also suspected...Given the Ser. No. of Yours being in the 29000 Range...The Box I posted having the Diamond Border wasn't going to be correct for Your Revolver being the Revolver is a bit earlier than Yours...I mainly just wanted to show you a comparison of a 2" Box to a 4" Box!!
Anyway...Even though Your Box isn't correct for Your Revolver...It'll make good trading fodder if you decide to track down the one you need given it looks to be a Pretty Nice Box overall even though the End Label's been messed with!!
Lastly...Sure glad we finally got all this sorted out...It as really starting to tax My "Old" Memory Banks to try & remember which Style Box went with the different year Guns...Ha!!-Ha!!
OP
The border for your 5 screw is definitely different.
This is for 1954 44 target. Same color.
Masterpiece
Member
Retired W4,
Most definitely different being Yours is a 4-Screw...But since I didn't have a Photo to go by I'll admit I was mistaken!! Another thing that played havoc on My Old Memory Banks...I should have realized right off with a Ser. No. as high as Yours it most likely was a 4-Screw!! Oh well...Gettin' old ain't much fun sometimes...Ha!!-Ha!!
Hey...You think this all this is confusing...You ought to own 40-50 of these at a time like I once did...You think maybe I got confused from time to time when trying to keep all of them straight...Ha!!-Ha!!
OP
Don't feel bad. Walking around the house for 15 minutes, looking for something that's in my pocket happens on occasion.
Masterpiece
Member
W4,
Been there, done that...Many times!! Might have you beat though...How's about looking around for Your Reading Glasses for about the same length of time when they're right on top Your Head!! Now that's showing you're gettin' old...Ha!-Ha!!
The sun burst boxes were used with the mid-post war J frame guns.
There are 3 different boarders on the top of these boxes.
The last two of 196 guns are 4" Regulation Police Targets models produced in 1957 on some pre war parts.
There are 3 different boarders on the top of these boxes.
The last two of 196 guns are 4" Regulation Police Targets models produced in 1957 on some pre war parts.
