Which models come with wood display cases?

[Cal44]

I just did a deal for a 14-3 6" with serial number dating from mid 1970's.

It was in a wood display case, with the blue liner that fits the gun well.

Also came with tools.

I'm wondering if back in that time frame you could order any Smith revolver with a wood case?

Did M14's often come with cases?

What models were shipped with wood cases?

It's very possible the case came from different gun, although the seller said he had it for 20 years and the case came with it when he got it from his father.

This case has no S&W logo on it.

I realize pictures would help, but as usual, it's in jail at this point.

Dave

 

[LaflinRand]

Now they even lock up the cases? lol
Congrats on the new Model 13.

 

[Cal44]

Now they even lock up the cases? lol
Congrats on the new Model 13.

Oops, it's a 14-3 I bought not a 13-4.

I went back and edited my post.

I didn't want it to look like you couldn't read, when it's me that can't type.

 

[LaflinRand]

Does your case look like this? That's a Model 29-2 in a display case.

 

[Cal44]

Yes, that's it.

It has the same tools except it's missing the long handled bore brush.

Did s&w ever ship m14' s in that box?

 

[LaflinRand]

Yes, that's it.

It has the same tools except it's missing the long handled bore brush.

Did s&w ever ship m14' s in that box?

I do not know, I was just hoping the picture helps someone else who does know give you the correct answer.

My first guess is it was an option to special order, but ya sure don't see many. Must not have been cheap.

 

[jrm53]

I can only speak to the revolvers I have bought new, a 25-2 with 6.5" barrel, 29-2 8 3/8", model 57 8 3/8" and a model 57 6" barrel all of these were in presentation cases, got a new 629 it came in a blue box also a 657 in blue box and two 25-2's from John Jovino both in blue boxes. Jeff

 

[Doc44]

Models 25, 27, 29, and 57 shipped with a mahogany presentation case after September 1975. Prior to that time only the Model 29 and Model 57 were shipped with a case. The Model 629 was shipped with a mahogany presentation case when it was introduced in 1980.

A very few Combat Magnums were shipped with a mahogany presentation case in the early 70s (usually engraved revolvers).

The mahogany case was discontinued as standard feature for these models in 1982, but could be ordered at extra cost until 1985.

Bill

 

[armenius]

When I first started accumulating Smith's a few years ago I ordered one off the net advertised as " new old stock".it was a Model 57 41 cal I was really wanting.When I received it and opened the presentation case I almost stroked out.The 57 looked as if it had been dipped in tar,with complete deterioration of the blue plastic(?) liner.I could not open the cylinder or cock it because of the "tar".I went through each emotion from despair to wanting to commit murder,and then finally deciding returning it or traveling to Texas was just too much trouble.Besides I wanted it and they were not that common.First I removed the grips,which were not S&W and didn't fit good.Then I took about 2 spray cans of grease remover and began to see the beautiful blue job come through.The the cylinder would open and function normally and the trigger pull was wonderful.There was one small spot of rust with minor pitting completely hidden by the grips which I treated with steel wool and very fine abrasive cloth .I then lubed the action,treated with RenWax and after putting a set of S&W Combat grips on it is beautiful and waits on it's first deer kill.I am happy but I wouldn't deal with the seller again.The box awaits re-lining ,if I get energetic.I have several othe boxes I may also refinish or sell.

 

[Cal44]

Now they even lock up the cases? lol
Congrats on the new Model 13.

No they don't lock up cases, but in general, when a gun store puts a gun in the safe for 10 days you want it in a gun rug or something to protect from scratches.

I didn't bring a gun rug so I told them to keep it in the case.

Now I think I made a mistake as the case its self is more valuable than I thought and I don't want it scratched either.

 

[g8rb8]

Models 25, 27, 29, and 57 shipped with a mahogany presentation case after September 1975. Prior to that time only the Model 29 and Model 57 were shipped with a case. The Model 629 was shipped with a mahogany presentation case when it was introduced in 1980.

A very few Combat Magnums were shipped with a mahogany presentation case in the early 70s (usually engraved revolvers).

The mahogany case was discontinued as standard feature for these models in 1982, but could be ordered at extra cost until 1985.

Bill

In addition, according to the SCSW, starting in 1960 S&W offered optional wood presentation boxes for N-frame revolvers. As of 2006 S&W still offered the wood presentation boxes as an option. Newer wood presentation boxes have the S&W logo pressed into the box lid.

There are too many commemorative guns to list which came in wood display cases including K-frame guns like Model 19's and 66's. Although I cannot recall well enough to be completely certain I believe some commemorative L-frames came in wood display cases too. Most of the commemorative wood cases I recall have specific commemorative markings on the box lid.

I do not recall seeing a model 14 in a wood display case that I thought was original.

John

 

[Cal44]

I do not recall seeing a model 14 in a wood display case that I thought was original.

John

I may order a letter on this gun just for the heck of it. I've never gotten a letter from SW yet, so it might be worth it.

After reading up in the Catalog and surfing last night, it appears this box dates to the same time as the gun.

I also would be interested to see what grips it came with as the current ones are probably not original. (They are smooth targets with no logo medallion so probably aftermarket).

 

[Doc44]

The mahogany case with a clamshell interior replaced the dark blue/black satin lined case in May 1960. In late 58 and in 1959 some mahogany cases with a satin lining were used for the Model 29 with an 8 3/8-inch barrel; a few cases with this lining were made for revolvers with a 4 or 6 1/2-inch barrel (all of these cases are rare).

I am sure these cases could be purchased separately and used for any N-frame revolver, but the Model 29 and in 1964, the Model 57 were the only ones advertised as being available with a presentation case.

Bill

 

[smallblock360]

I have a 6 inch barrel 29-2 that is marked mod 57 ,was that common, gun is in almost perfect shape.case needs to be re-lined,just bought it.I juess they were just to busy then.

 

[dant]

wood case.......

Good info above...and again,, the only real way to know exactly just what YOUR gun may have shipped in is to have the original packaging........
normally only the N framed models mentioned above were shipped in some sort of packaging, either the regular boxes, or if they came with a "presentation case, then it was either of the two below.......





the smaller box on the left contained a case and the gun, the one on the right was their "master" carton, which kept the gun separate from the presentation case as all too often the cases would get damaged in shipping ,busting up the innards...info label would be on the outside of the cardboard shipper......
the smaller shipper on the left was also used to ship ONLY the wooden mahogany presentation case if one so ordered ,just a case, and they were available all the time,,,most folks back then didn't care as to the shipping cartons, cases, boxes etc, they wanted the firearm , and to use it..........
hope this helps but as noted above, "never say never"....

 

[DocB]

John is right. The commoratives were shipping in some really high-end presentation boxes in the late 1980's. They used a dark colored wood and a fabric lined interior that doesn't deteriorate over time. Most were not marked so, I imagine, many people have used those boxes for other Smiths of all types. While those linings can be blue, they can also be red or some other color. All the big Smiths I purchased in the late 1970's through the early to mid 1980's came in that light wood box with the blue interior that deteriorated and fell apart over time. They were stuck inside a non-descript cardboard box. I used to store them stacked up like that. I don't know much about the early boxes (pre 1975), but I know the later boxes (1988-1992) were really nice.

 

[loeman]

This is good stuff! Thanks to Cal44 for starting this thread and Doc44 and others for supplying some very good info. What I learned today is that if you bought a new Md 27 (et al) from 1975 to 1982 you got a nice wood box! Prior to today I thought that maybe only some were shipped with wood or maybe the customer specified wood when he ordered the gun from his LGS.

 

[snake803]

John is right. The commoratives were shipping in some really high-end presentation boxes in the late 1980's. They used a dark colored wood and a fabric lined interior that doesn't deteriorate over time. Most were not marked so, I imagine, many people have used those boxes for other Smiths of all types. While those linings can be blue, they can also be red or some other color. All the big Smiths I purchased in the late 1970's through the early to mid 1980's came in that light wood box with the blue interior that deteriorated and fell apart over time. They were stuck inside a non-descript cardboard box. I used to store them stacked up like that. I don't know much about the early boxes (pre 1975), but I know the later boxes (1988-1992) were really nice.

Red or some other color.....NOT...
JIM...................