Rough S&W model 34 2" Box

[REB]

Cleaning out an old roll around tool box I bought and found this box. It rough but I know sometimes these old boxes still have value. I am not on any S&W boards so I though I would ask here. Any value to this box and if so any estimate? I know it all depends on who needs one. I don't really do the auction sights or I would just put it on one and see what happens.

The box is for a S&W Model 34 2" Kit Gun and is dated 1955.

 

[ar15ed]

there should be a serial number written on the bottom of the box. you could possibly use that to figure out a close shipping date for the original gun. the 1955 date in the text inside the lid is the date of the text itself, and was used for a long time. a few clues are that is has a label from before the use of model numbers, and that label is hand-stamped with the model number "34". that will mean that is it most likely from the very early "model number" era, which started in 1957/58. i would take a stab with a 1958 ship date. i think the "solid silver border" blue box was used from about 1958 into the very early sixties.

2-inchers were fairly scarce in this time period! i'd say someone with a 2" model 34 from the '57 to '60 era would pay a good price for it. maybe $100.00, maybe even more.

 

[ar15ed]

the more i think about it, i can't say i have ever run across a flatlatch square-butt 34 with a 2 inch barrel. it has to be very scarce! i don't know if that is good or bad! definitely desireable to someone with a matching gun, and maybe even a box collector. too bad it is stained so badly. normally, i'd think that would really hurt its value, but maybe the rareness could overcome the condition, to some extent.

i think i would run it on the 'bay with a penny start and no reserve, and see what happens. it might surprise you!

 

[REB]

The SN is written on box is 48048.

Thanks for the info.

 

[rugerguy]

the early flat latch boxes were red in color, this one is from the mid 50's until 1966, when Bangor Punta bought the company from the Wesson family. They had the two line address on the lid, solid ring around the top ...after 1966 they were 3 line addresses, with Bangor Punta in the center line. Herring bone trim line. In that condition is worth around $35-40, maybe more in an auction and two people NEED it ( pucker factor) I'd put it on e-bay or some such site............
yes, the 1955 on the inside of the lid is the "copy right" date.

 

[ar15ed]

serial number also puts you in the '58 area.

 

[toroflow]

the more i think about it, i can't say i have ever run across a flatlatch square-butt 34 with a 2 inch barrel. it has to be very scarce! i don't know if that is good or bad! definitely desireable to someone with a matching gun, and maybe even a box collector. too bad it is stained so badly. normally, i'd think that would really hurt its value, but maybe the rareness could overcome the condition, to some extent.

i think i would run it on the 'bay with a penny start and no reserve, and see what happens. it might surprise you!

Here's one...

...my $246 Gunbroker "win" a few years ago.

 

[ar15ed]

cool! i know a guy that has a box!