Gun Boxes...?

MajTom · November 23, 2015, 05:37 PM

I have been keeping all the original boxes for all the guns that I have purchased... Needless to say I have -- a few -- What do you all think about the keeping of original boxes...? Does it help on resale? if I ever could part with one...

Nathan · November 23, 2015, 05:49 PM

It does. All that original box and papers crap helps some. How much depends on the gun...

SamNavy · November 23, 2015, 06:45 PM

If you have the space, keep EVERYTHING... throw nothing away ever. I've been in the military 15yrs... I keep all boxes with all factory foam inserts or whatever for everything. I'm not specifically talking about gun boxes... but EVERYTHING. All computer, stereo, kitchen stuff, tools, TV's, all of it. Makes packing/moving every 2-3 years a piece of cake.

As for gun boxes specifically... it might add a little snap to a prospective buyer to know the previous owner kept and transferred the original box. It makes it easy to ship if you ever sell out of state, etc... Keep'em.

Sevens · November 23, 2015, 06:51 PM

Haha, I guarantee someone will stroll in here and tell you they think it's nuts and they would not spend on single extra dollar on a used gun that has the box over one that doesn't. Those guys might be speaking the truth as it pertains to them, but it's still a load of crap across the board.

It is not at all possible to assess a particular dollar value or even percentage because it is far more important to some guns than to others. But please don't believe anyone who suggests it doesn't matter. On the whole, that is simply untrue.

DaleA · November 23, 2015, 06:53 PM

Well, there's this thread:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ght=python+box

and this thread:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ght=python+box

to answer your question.

Remington74 · November 23, 2015, 06:54 PM

They don't eat, [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] or drink water, so why not keep them?

As far as not selling any of the guns in the future, that's what I said about 50 years ago, You don't want to know the rest of the story.

Keep the box, it's an extra point on your side of the fence when it comes time to sell, either yourself or your heirs.

g.willikers · November 24, 2015, 11:56 AM

I keep original boxes only until the warranty runs out, in case the item needs to be shipped somewhere.
Of course, for some gun manufacturers, that means lifetime.
Unfortunately, living in a high humidity part of the country also means they don't usually last very long.
And bugs love cardboard.
Painting cardboard with clear coat makes them last just about forever, though.

Moonglum · November 25, 2015, 12:27 PM

The newer boxes for my Smith and Wessons are hard sided foam lined cases. Those are definitely worth keeping IMO

gyvel · November 25, 2015, 01:03 PM

A bit of an extreme example, but when a collector friend of mine passed about 10 years ago, there was a cardboard carton full of old boxes of varying types. One was a pre-war Smith & Wesson revolver box which we sold on eBay for (sitting down?) $1175.00. That's eleven hundred and seventy five dollars.

While that was a bit of an exception, I routinely see boxes being sold for $20.00-30.00 on eBay for run-of-the-mill guns. That should answer your question. Less common types often get sold for upwards of a hundred, depending upon what they are.

DaleA · November 25, 2015, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Smith & Wesson revolver box which we sold on eBay for $1175.00.

Well maybe skins are the best part...

mag1911 · November 26, 2015, 08:06 AM

I've been following some Python auctions. Seems that like new with original grips are about $500 more than those with replaced grips; with original box and paperwork about $1000 more than that. Save your boxes on the high quality stuff at least.

kilimanjaro · November 26, 2015, 03:51 PM

For the expense of putting your gun boxes into a larger box and putting them on a shelf somewhere, you're foolish to toss them.

Even those silly slipcovers that some DVDs and Blu Rays come in sell for a couple of bucks apiece on Ebay. People who collect want the box to go with the firearm, period, and are willing to pay handsomely for the desire.

Your firearm inventory should have a column for "Original Box", so your heirs don't toss 'em out while they sell your guns.

gilfo · November 26, 2015, 04:44 PM

I keep all mine. Handguns, rifles and shot guns. Matter a fact got me into trouble with the wife when she saw all the boxes in the closet. Don't think she had a clue as to how many guns I had up until then.

kilimanjaro · November 26, 2015, 06:02 PM

Yeah, telling her you were investing in empty boxes to sell to collectors would probably not be a good idea.

Webleymkv · November 27, 2015, 04:08 AM

While I guess I may be border lining on "collector" ("accumulator" is probably a more accurate term), I still buy all my guns with the intention of shooting them. That being said, the original box and papers does slightly add to the value of a used gun to me because, as I see it, if the previous owner cared enough about the gun to keep the original box and papers then he/she probably cared enough to take good care of the gun. I would not refuse to buy a gun that didn't come with the original box nor would I pay a huge premium for one, but it does help sweeten the deal a bit.

gyvel · November 29, 2015, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Save your boxes on the high quality stuff at least.

Yes, that's good advice; Saving your Raven, Jennings or Lorcin box probably isn't going to make any significant difference in the future.

Smoke & Recoil · November 29, 2015, 09:35 AM

Check on ebay to see what some boxes sell for. What we see as only
junk now will mean something to some one in the future as did the
old boxes of past time mean to us now. Yes, even the plastic boxes
of today...as long as the paper label is still affixed to the box.

Rob62 · December 7, 2015, 07:20 PM

I wish I had the storage space to keep all my original gun boxes. But I do not. After a while you have a closet full. That's just not practical for me.

kilimanjaro · December 7, 2015, 08:05 PM

Ship them to me, I'll keep them for you. Post paid, on me.

The Few The Proud · December 7, 2015, 08:20 PM

I think that keeping boxes do add value to your trade in. I know that I will give someone trading a gun more if they have all the paperwork and box it came with. So keep all your boxes and paperwork.

Ozzieman · December 8, 2015, 09:15 PM

How many times have you sold a gun where the buyer didn't ask if you had the original paperwork and box?

2ndsojourn · December 8, 2015, 11:00 PM

I never sold a gun.

Skans · December 10, 2015, 09:08 AM

ALWAYS keep the original gun boxes. Yes, it helps resale. I wrap mine in plastic sheeting and duct tape and then toss them in the attic.

johnwilliamson062 · December 10, 2015, 04:02 PM

Hard plastic cases? Yes.
Cardboard boxes? No.

I will pay a bit more for a gun with box in excellent condition. If the person cared that much for the box...
Not enough of a difference I am willing to let them pile up though.

November 23, 2015, 05:37 PM	#1
MajTom Junior Member Join Date: July 7, 2014 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 1	Gun Boxes...? I have been keeping all the original boxes for all the guns that I have purchased... Needless to say I have -- a few -- What do you all think about the keeping of original boxes...? Does it help on resale? if I ever could part with one...

November 23, 2015, 06:51 PM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Haha, I guarantee someone will stroll in here and tell you they think it's nuts and they would not spend on single extra dollar on a used gun that has the box over one that doesn't. Those guys might be speaking the truth as it pertains to them, but it's still a load of crap across the board. It is not at all possible to assess a particular dollar value or even percentage because it is far more important to some guns than to others. But please don't believe anyone who suggests it doesn't matter. On the whole, that is simply untrue. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 24, 2015, 11:56 AM	#7
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	I keep original boxes only until the warranty runs out, in case the item needs to be shipped somewhere. Of course, for some gun manufacturers, that means lifetime. Unfortunately, living in a high humidity part of the country also means they don't usually last very long. And bugs love cardboard. Painting cardboard with clear coat makes them last just about forever, though. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

November 25, 2015, 01:03 PM	#9
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	A bit of an extreme example, but when a collector friend of mine passed about 10 years ago, there was a cardboard carton full of old boxes of varying types. One was a pre-war Smith & Wesson revolver box which we sold on eBay for (sitting down?) $1175.00. That's eleven hundred and seventy five dollars. While that was a bit of an exception, I routinely see boxes being sold for $20.00-30.00 on eBay for run-of-the-mill guns. That should answer your question. Less common types often get sold for upwards of a hundred, depending upon what they are. __________________ As always, YMMV. __________________________________________ MIIAA SIFE

November 29, 2015, 09:35 AM	#17
Smoke & Recoil Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: East shore of Lake Michigan. Posts: 714	Check on ebay to see what some boxes sell for. What we see as only junk now will mean something to some one in the future as did the old boxes of past time mean to us now. Yes, even the plastic boxes of today...as long as the paper label is still affixed to the box. __________________ Sent from my Tandy 1000

November 23, 2015, 05:49 PM	#2
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,326	It does. All that original box and papers crap helps some. How much depends on the gun...

November 23, 2015, 06:45 PM	#3
SamNavy Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 433	If you have the space, keep EVERYTHING... throw nothing away ever. I've been in the military 15yrs... I keep all boxes with all factory foam inserts or whatever for everything. I'm not specifically talking about gun boxes... but EVERYTHING. All computer, stereo, kitchen stuff, tools, TV's, all of it. Makes packing/moving every 2-3 years a piece of cake. As for gun boxes specifically... it might add a little snap to a prospective buyer to know the previous owner kept and transferred the original box. It makes it easy to ship if you ever sell out of state, etc... Keep'em.

November 23, 2015, 06:53 PM	#5
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,312	Well, there's this thread: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ght=python+box and this thread: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...ght=python+box to answer your question.

November 23, 2015, 06:54 PM	#6
Remington74 Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2012 Location: Carthage, NY Posts: 231	They don't eat, [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] or drink water, so why not keep them? As far as not selling any of the guns in the future, that's what I said about 50 years ago, You don't want to know the rest of the story. Keep the box, it's an extra point on your side of the fence when it comes time to sell, either yourself or your heirs.

November 25, 2015, 12:27 PM	#8
Moonglum Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2015 Posts: 468	The newer boxes for my Smith and Wessons are hard sided foam lined cases. Those are definitely worth keeping IMO

November 26, 2015, 08:06 AM	#11
mag1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2011 Posts: 140	I've been following some Python auctions. Seems that like new with original grips are about $500 more than those with replaced grips; with original box and paperwork about $1000 more than that. Save your boxes on the high quality stuff at least.

November 26, 2015, 03:51 PM	#12
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	For the expense of putting your gun boxes into a larger box and putting them on a shelf somewhere, you're foolish to toss them. Even those silly slipcovers that some DVDs and Blu Rays come in sell for a couple of bucks apiece on Ebay. People who collect want the box to go with the firearm, period, and are willing to pay handsomely for the desire. Your firearm inventory should have a column for "Original Box", so your heirs don't toss 'em out while they sell your guns.

November 26, 2015, 04:44 PM	#13
gilfo Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Posts: 307	I keep all mine. Handguns, rifles and shot guns. Matter a fact got me into trouble with the wife when she saw all the boxes in the closet. Don't think she had a clue as to how many guns I had up until then.

November 26, 2015, 06:02 PM	#14
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Yeah, telling her you were investing in empty boxes to sell to collectors would probably not be a good idea.

November 27, 2015, 04:08 AM	#15
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	While I guess I may be border lining on "collector" ("accumulator" is probably a more accurate term), I still buy all my guns with the intention of shooting them. That being said, the original box and papers does slightly add to the value of a used gun to me because, as I see it, if the previous owner cared enough about the gun to keep the original box and papers then he/she probably cared enough to take good care of the gun. I would not refuse to buy a gun that didn't come with the original box nor would I pay a huge premium for one, but it does help sweeten the deal a bit.

December 7, 2015, 07:20 PM	#18
Rob62 Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 1999 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 560	I wish I had the storage space to keep all my original gun boxes. But I do not. After a while you have a closet full. That's just not practical for me. __________________ NRA & NAHC Life Member

December 7, 2015, 08:05 PM	#19
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Ship them to me, I'll keep them for you. Post paid, on me.

December 7, 2015, 08:20 PM	#20
The Few The Proud Member Join Date: December 6, 2015 Location: GA Posts: 28	Boxes I think that keeping boxes do add value to your trade in. I know that I will give someone trading a gun more if they have all the paperwork and box it came with. So keep all your boxes and paperwork. __________________ Turn to Few The Proud For Your Next Firearm or Accessory Purchase, We will not lose a deal based on price. PM me if I can be of assistance Service Connected Disabled Combat Marine www.tftpa.com

December 8, 2015, 09:15 PM	#21
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	How many times have you sold a gun where the buyer didn't ask if you had the original paperwork and box? __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

December 8, 2015, 11:00 PM	#22
2ndsojourn Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,416	I never sold a gun.

December 10, 2015, 09:08 AM	#23
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	ALWAYS keep the original gun boxes. Yes, it helps resale. I wrap mine in plastic sheeting and duct tape and then toss them in the attic.

December 10, 2015, 04:02 PM	#24
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	Hard plastic cases? Yes. Cardboard boxes? No. I will pay a bit more for a gun with box in excellent condition. If the person cared that much for the box... Not enough of a difference I am willing to let them pile up though.