Are boxes, paperwork, or original grips important to you?

I have not kept the box from anything I have ever bought. I only regret one cardboard S&W box from one that turned out to be collectible a few years later.
 
I guess the replies would explain all the guns for sale, being claimed to be as new, no box or papers. If nothing else, it is nice to have a box when you toss it in your trunk for the ride home, instead of a naked gun rattling around back there. I can see where the cartons that long guns come in are a pain to store. As are maybe some of the larger plastic cases like Sig supplies. But I cannot see even throwing those away. If nothing else, maybe you can sell the cases to cover the cost of getting into a gun show. Other people are looking for factory boxes for their guns! They are not trash, if someone will pay you something for them. And dealers will pay.
 
I prefer to have the boxes for storage in my safe. It makes my safe much more organized. I've only bought two guns without the box and quickly found replacements. One of which was a hard to find cardboard box that I got from a fellow member on this forum.
 
If the original owner (or subsequent) is able to take care of the boxes and papers, the gun is probably equally well-cared for. It's not a deal breaker, but it's always nice to see.
 
Sometimes. Recently bought an NOS Redhawk .357 from 1985. Came in the original box, original shipping carton, and has all the paperwork. I will definitely put that stuff safely away.
 
As a buyer, it's not important to me. As a seller or trader, if I'm looking to trade something in on a purchase, my experience has been that the receiving FFL likes to have the original box (matching serial number). That said, I keep all my boxes, paperwork, etc., wether I'm buying new or used.
 
I save all my boxes and papers just for good measure.

I dont think its a big deal, and it sure wouldnt sway me away from a purchase if they werent included.
 
It makes a difference to me. I like the gun to have original grips, box and papers. I have never thrown away a box for any gun I have bought. I admit that I am a fanatic about such things. If two similar guns are up for sale or trade and one has all that came with it from the factory and the other has none of that, just some crappy rubber grips, I will always choose the first gun and am will pay more for it.
 
To me the neather is really a big deal, if he has them great, if not so what. BUT, it is a plus if he has the paper work(manual, warenty info) just so I dont have to hunt for it later if I need it.
 
Yeah...sorry...call me analytical. Not a deal breaker (grips maybe), but I keep all that stuff forever.....and so should everybody else!!!!
 
I always have INTENTIONS to keep them and I usually do keep them for 6 months or so ... but then something happens and I lose track of the box after I find a good case for a gun. I guess the thing is I never buy a gun with the intention of ever getting rid of it. And I rarely do. Even the ones I don't like, I typically put them further back into the closet figuring that someday I will feel different about them.
 
I think all the little things that come with a gun add interest and sometimes a great deal. I once owned an S&W Model 39 that had the original sales slip from a sporting goods store in Tyson's Corner Mall. If you know Northern Virginia, that is remarkable. I also come down of the side of those that prefer the older style cardboard boxes instead of the plastic cases, no matter how practical the plastic case might be. But the last new S&W revolver came in a plain, white, unmarked carton.

I also like surplus pistols that come with issue holsters--and the spare magazine.
 
My guns are all working guns. Boxes or paperwork don't really mean that much to me. In fact, I bought a used Ruger No. 1 a few years ago and paid an extra $20 because it came with the original paperwork, box and swivels. As soon as I got home, the box got cut up and put in the trash. I saved the paperwork and swivels but could certainly have lived without them.
 
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