Ruger Empty Boxes

[sirrduke2010]

Is there any value in a Ruger Redhawk box with a low serial number. The serial number shows it came out in the 1st year of production at number 00238. Thanks.

 

[Snyd]

I saw someone looking for one on a swap and sell forum just the other day. Was it here?

 

[flatgate]

Yes, there is indeed some value there. The Redhawk boxes don't command the value of, say, a Lightweight Single-Six box :shock: but they're worth a few sheckles....

flatgate

 

[contender]

By all means, yes, the boxes do help the value of a gun AND often are worth big bucks themselves. However, as with all things, there are the details. Older guns, and the ones that most people collect are the ones that command the higher prices.
As noted above, a Lightweight box is MUCH more valuable than a Redhawk box. Why? Well, the LWT is an OM 3-screw firearm that saw limited production, and is a desirable collectors gun. Boxes for those didn't survive as often as the boxes made today. The Redhawk is a modern DA revolver. Less common to collect, and many more of them manufactured. However, you mentioned a serial number on the box of 00238. You didn't show the prefix. The complete serial number is the determining factor as to the timeframe of production. A 500 prefix was the first year of production, (1980) while a 501 prefix would be from 1984. The devil is in the details.

 

[chet15]

Hmmm...wonder where the gun is at? #238 is one of the "subscription" numbers that Ruger held back for a long time for an individual. Williams and Davidson's got 22 different guns with that number through two different warehouse cleanings. But the Redhawk wasn't in there.
Chet15

 

[ACM73]

Just curious, why are the boxes valuable? If one wanted a set and had the gun but no box, why would a box with a different serial number be of value to them? I could see a set with the gun and the actual box it came in being of value to a collector, but just don't understand the reasoning for a gun with a box that has a different serial number.

 

[contender]

If it's an older, rarer box, the as collectors we overlook the different number just to have a correct TYPE of box. However, it always makes it more valuable to have THE correct box.

 

[Snubshooter]

Also, MANY boxes are destroyed, even today, by people who buy to carry and see no need to keep the shipping box. As an illustration an original album cover for say a 1962 Beatles LP can be worth 5 to 10 times more than the record itself and the original sleeve even MORE.

 

[street]

Just curious, why are the boxes valuable? If one wanted a set and had the gun but no box, why would a box with a different serial number be of value to them? I could see a set with the gun and the actual box it came in being of value to a collector, but just don't understand the reasoning for a gun with a box that has a different serial number.

No one said us collectors had any sense. We will accept a box with a different serial number and treat it as if it was perfect. We will change grips that did not come with the gun for a set that looks better. But god help us if someone offers us a Factory re-blued gun. We would not touch it as if someone handed us some horse manure. Now try to get a collector to tell you the difference!!! People who collect guns are not right. I know because I am one.

 

[chet15]

Guns always sell better with the original box, even if its not the correctly numbered one. But must be the correct type that it shipped with.
I've even had two occassions where I've bought two groups of OM 2-piece boxes from collectors who didn't want to keep them. One group had two LW boxes (one for his #200058 LW...he kept the gun!!), an RSS4 printed box, RSS9 box and numerous other goodies. Couldn't get the two RSSE cases away from him though. He felt he needed to keep those with his two original RSSE!! Go figure!!
Chet15

 

[street]

Guns always sell better with the original box, even if its not the correctly numbered one. But must be the correct type that it shipped with.
I've even had two occassions where I've bought two groups of OM 2-piece boxes from collectors who didn't want to keep them. One group had two LW boxes (one for his #200058 LW...he kept the gun!!), an RSS4 printed box, RSS9 box and numerous other goodies. Couldn't get the two RSSE cases away from him though. He felt he needed to keep those with his two original RSSE!! Go figure!!
Chet15

As I said in the above post. " People who collect guns are not right. I know because I am one."