Keep Original materials?

[retired]

I know it's advisable to hold onto the original case your handgun/long gun came in, the paperwork, etc., in case sometime down the line 20 or 30yrs. later, you decide to sell your weapon. It tends to add some value if you have all of the original "stuff." I've done that with all of my handguns and none of my long guns have come in anything until my new purchase.

My question, dumb as it might be, is what about if it is just a cardboard box. I just bought a Marlin 795 .22 rifle. I do not intend to sell any of my weapons and they will go to my son eventually (hopefully not for a long time). I also realize the rifle is not going to be worth any fortune 20yrs. from now, but is it worthwhile keeping the cardboard box or not.

Thanks.

[Scratch705]

in this case, not really.

[rct442]

If it was a Colt SP1 you bought new in the 1970's yes.

In this case no.

[K5Cruiser]

I do not intend to sell any of my weapons and they will go to my son eventually (hopefully not for a long time).

Based on this, I would say simply trash the cardboard box.

However, all of the guns I have purchased new, I have saved the original boxes save for maybe 1 or 2. The collector side of me wants to save everything that came with the gun, including original receipt, etc. If it's just a plain brown cardboard box it's difficult to justify saving it, but if there's any kind of print on it at all, I as a collector want to save it. The cardboard boxes I usually place in a plastic bag and put them up in the garage where they are out of sight and out of the way.

[shooting4life]

I keep handgun boxes only. The rifles I have will not have any collect value. Now I only buy used guns and hope to always get the box. I purchased a ruger 3 screw in 45lc that came with the box which has sold on eBay for 150.

[bsg]

i guess i'm the oddball.... i'd keep the box.

-Brady-

[damndave]

I would toss it.

[checkenbach]

I always keep the boxes just in case I have to ship it back for repair, or to use if selling it to someone else.

[E-120]

I throw all that junk in the attic. Its nice to have just in case. Is it mint? No, but it is good enough.

[retired]

Thanks for the input everyone I appreciate it. I still have the blue S&W boxes my Model 15, 60 and 66 came in from 1976, 1977 and 1978 and even the Beretta 92f that was issued to me when I was in le.

I bought the Model 15 when we transitioned to the Beretta in 1990 and the latter when I retired.

[rod]

I always keep the boxes just in case I have to ship it back for repair, or to use if selling it to someone else.

This ^

[Rob454]

None of my guns are ever gonna be collectibles really. The only one I can say is somewhat rare(ish) is my Poly m14. I never kept any of the boxes any of my rifles or shotguns came in. Not even pistols. Oh wait yeah one of my Rugers i still have the box. Other than that I don't much care. If I sell or buy a gun its gonna sell for whatever price . The box is inconsequential to me. I guess if its a rare or limited edition kind of gun then yeah keep everything it came with but for a regular gun no point in it. If to someone the sale of a everyday normal gun hinges on a box or a piece of paper then I guess go buy someone elses gun? IMO the gun and what it comes with is more important than a instruction booklet that can be downloaded off the internet.