Does not having the original box matter?

In the case of this Ruger, the cardboard shipping sleeve mattered to me, as it was the only way, short of contacting the factory, and having them research the serial number, that this was a Factory Polished Redhawk.

The "G" in the GKRH-445 confirms factory polish..

I would have offered far less if it was possible, even likely that it was a back yard polish job.

In the case of this Ruger, the cardboard shipping sleeve mattered to me, as it was the only way, short of contacting the factory, and having them research the serial number, that this was a Factory Polished Redhawk.

Click to expand...

That's a good example of where the factory box REALLY makes a difference!

Howdy Again

I forgot about this one. Yes, I suppose a box adds to the value. But frankly, as I said before, in my experience most of the time when a box was involved in the sale, it was an afterthought. This Model 27 is a case in point. After the deal was struck the dealer mentioned a box went with the gun. It was not mentioned during the negotiations. I buy a lot of used revolvers. I would venture to say that a box is part of the deal less than 10% of the time.

I have a beautiful early Colty Ace that I bought after examining it and the box. Between the unfired condition of the pistol and the condition of the box and factory accessories I decided to pop for it even knowing that I was buying into a forever "New In the Box" (NIB) display piece.

About a year later, while messing about with getting rid of or shooting (gasp) my NIB Colts, I note that the previous owner had switched boxes and I had the one for his other (of two) NIB Aces.

I contacted him and found it to be too great a hassle to track down the other box and mine became an un-fired shooter with a period box (New In A Box).

So now the curfuffle has led me to designate it a perfect "shooter" all based upon having the incorrect box.

Does the correct box matter? Depends upon the person. Remember, they all had a box at one time and it matters not a whit regarding the quality of the firearm, only perceived collectibility/value.

Will the lack of a box "hurt" the value? I don't know really, but it will help make a sale, at least it will with me. My wife even knows I'm a sucker for a gun with a white sticker on the tag that says "box in back." And I'm willing to pay more for it.

I can't really tell you why. I don't consider myself a collector, but I just like to get the original box and papers if I can.