Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Save the Boxes!!!!

I've usually felt the box helps sell the gun quicker, but doesn't add much to the price. Gives the idea that the gun is just barely used as compared to a really used one without a box. If someone is looking at 3 or 4 identical rifles, a box and paperwork can help seal the deal.

Boxes can be a real value add to a sale. I see this more often with pistols and revolvers. Collectable rifles as well. Like VarmitGuy I have bought boxes for special pistols. I also ask about boxes and paperwork when I buy a collectable (or just older) firearm. I will pay a bit more if the box and paperwork, accessories are included. If they are not I will lower my price. I have about the same High Standard as Owl, with everything that came with the pistol when new, even the blank warranty card. Easily adds $250 to $300 to the value of the 1969 pistol.

If everyone saved every (factory) box that every gun came in they wouldn't be worth anything. The only reason they're worth anything at all is because most pitch them.

I used to save them, but decided there wasn't enough room in my life to store empty gun boxes. I seldom sell guns anyway...

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What he says.

Well since you "pitch" them I guess that ones I saved will be worth more.

Thank You

2 years ago I bought a Colt 1908 25acp $250 that was made in 1915.



I showed it to the Colt guys and they were interested in the box.

Now they tell me counterfeit Colt boxes are showing up on Ebay.

Interesting thread, and I am sure someone out there has a whole wall devoted to boxes.

I don't.

I don't buy many new rifles or shotguns, but when I do, I save the boxes for if/when they get sold. I only have 4 or 5 boxes down there now that match once new guns.

I never really save boxes. I find it a waste of space. I keep one around to ship a rifle every now and again. Otherwise I agree with the above. I dont think it adds to the value you to much but makes it easier to sell. Although there are a couple exceptions....

I have a pre-64 model 70 in 30-06 that my grandfathers best friend purchased in 56 I believe. Not sure. I will have to look back. That rifle was his hunting rifle for many years and took many many deer. He built a wooden box to hold it, a sling, an old weaver 4x scope, and some hand warmers. But he kept the original box from Winchester and the sales receipt from the shop he purchased it from. Box is mint, not a scuff. Just a little dusty. People have offered me a pretty penny for that. The rifle though and stories are invaluable to me and my family and will always be passed down. I have always thought I should reload a batch for it and take a deer with it in memory.

Don't own a warehouse, and I do not sell any of my firearms.

Me neither.

I do have a shipping container though....and it has some boxes in it.


Buddy threw away a box the other day......had the bolt in it.

Save em, beats the chit outta searching dumpsters when you sell one!!!

My friend bought a Winchester boys rifle as new in the box.
The box is worth as much as the rifle.
As rare as a like new kids gun made in the 20s is,the boxes are even rarer.

Always save your Kimber box.......

It just makes it easier to send the rifle back to Kimber

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THIS

The only answer that makes sense.

I know many guys are hung up on having the original box...and I never figured that out.....

I generally do save the boxes, but I buy and sell guns quite a bit, so keeping the boxes around for a few years (or, sometimes, a few weeks or months) makes it easier to ship 'em--if I have to ship 'em. Which is why the rafters of maybe 1/3 of my shop are filled with rifle and shotgun boxes.

But with rare exceptions, the boxes don't add value other than handiness.

In 50 years maybe..

i have never got more for a gun because i had the box....and i would never pay more for one with the box but i use all my rifles

I save mine, and I'd get pretty steamed if someone casually threw them away. In fact, most any collectible item - camera, guns, fishing reels, knives, I save the box.

On newer guns it would add a small amount of value. If you are OCD about getting rid of all clutter, empty boxes, etc, and don't care what it's worth in 30-50 years, fine, go ahead, it makes mine worth more

There was a guy on Antiques Roadshow last year, who had a Rolex watch from the early 60's. He'd bought it new when he was stationed in Germany, and had taken meticulous care of it. Had all the boxes, receipts, manual, certificates, an extra Rolex band, service receipts, you name it. He figured it might be worth $5k. The appraiser stunned the owner, when he told him that the watch was worth about $40k, but because he had all the other stuff with it, it would be worth about $70k.

If you had a really desirable collectible gun, like say a S&W Registered Magnum, and had the original box, it's going to add a LOT of value.

Save yer boxes! Or Not!

When we cleaned out Mom's house I found the box for my Winchester mod 94 30-30 I got in 1967.

Price was $68!