how much more desirable is a gun with....

[incredablehefey]

the original box?
the original instructions?
the original receipt?

im sure age has something to do with the equation but i just have no idea!

I have always been told that you keep everything that you can about the history of a gun but most of the guns i have purchased lately have had nothing, its really kind of a bummer to have a brand new looking gun with no box or any of the paperwork. Does anyone else feel this way or is it my ocd kicking in?


lets take a model RG14 22lr revolver for example, i've seen them for sale at $150 or so, but what difference does it make if the gun is in original box with all original paperwork?

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/6172/1005482k.jpg

[vintagearms]

OCD. If your a shooter and not just a casual plimker then box, manual, etc mean nothing. Same with matching serial numbers. They really offer no value to me personally because I only care about the condition of the gun. Not so much cosmetics but barrel break in, crown, and any bubba gunsmithing that might have been done.

[Thefeeder]

nmn

I'm on the opposite side. I have had a taste for out of production firearms for decades. On rare guns it makes a big difference to have the original box and papers . I'll buy a firearm that I have been looking for just to have one, but will upgrade to one with all the goodies if the opportunity presents itself. Having adapted this policy, it has served me well over the years, even with my shooters. As a collector, mint, original, As New in Box with all the papers is the best you are going to find for your collection.

Will an 870 "Express" bring more if it has a box?...Naa

Will a 870 "All American Trap" with original box be worth more...O'ya Why? Because they only made 1000 "All Americans" and 90% of the buyers tossed the box.

Just picked up a new shotgun that I'll shoot the **** out of ...way not save the box and paperwork? It will be a plus for me and the next person. Still cool to find the original booklet to a Rem 1100 bought in the 70's, worth 0.00 but still cool.

FYI..There are boxes that are worth 800-1000+....just for the box, no gun to be found. There are fakes also, so know your stuff before you lay the cash down.

[Vacaville]

Not important to me, important to some collectors.

[big al]

receipts? i don't keep any so the wifey would not freak out.

[CJN8]

I have a beautiful sporterized Smith-Corona 03-A3 that was given to me by my uncle a few years back. When he gave it to me he had the original receipt which is dated 11/13/1963 (could this still be considered a C&R?). $100 plus tax, cash and carry, the receipt is no bigger than a 3”x5” card. Shows you how much things have changed here in beautiful California over the years. Probably does not increase the value much but it is a cool conversation piece.