Bogus Colt boxes encountered this weekend

[GUNKWAZY]

Just finished up going to the gun show this weekend and saw a few New In Box Colts that were NIBB Colt's.
NIBB = New In Bogus Box

Surprised one of the guys that usually asks me for advise said, hey Jeff, take a look at this beauty. Out from the underside of the table came a NIBB Colt and I said to him that's a bogus box, you do know that don't you ? He told me the gun was already sold and that the guy was coming back to pick it up a little later.
I asked how much he sold it for and he got a PREMIUM price for the package just because it was so nice.
I would have never paid that much even if it was correct.
So again, guys, learn your boxes. You will buy some bad stuff out there if you don't.

Good luck, Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[aircraftman]

Thanks for the heads up Jeff, what kind of NIBB was it - the "shinny" woodgrained box?

[Cruiser RN]

Jeff,thans again for reminding people to be careful because there are crooks.If I am ever blessed to have the funds to buy a Python rest assured you will be the first person I call......God Bless.....Mike

[bedbugbilly]

I don't know a durn thing about "boxes" and I'm sure a lot of folks looking on this forum don't either. I think it would be great if someone could post some pictures of original boxes - the things to look for in an original box and then some photos of the "bogus boxes" and the things to look out for that show that they are "bogus". If, of course, anybody has a "bogus box" that they can show off? Being the "Colt Forum" . . . I think it would be of service to the members if it could be done. Just my 2 cents and humble opinion on the topic as I know that I'd hate to get stuck with a fake and I'm sure others would feel the same way. Thanks much to the posers that be - greatly appreciated!

[Kanatak]

Thanks for the reminder Jeff. It gets worse every day. I happen to think that all this forgery will lead to increased values on authentic packages. The crooks are not that good yet and their "products" are really quite poor. Take the sucker that bought the gun at your gun show; one day, he is going to find out what he does not have. It may take years, but the more of this counterfeit material that is produced, the more aware everyone will be.

bedbugbilly, I once thought it was a good project for us to create a file of photos illustrating correct boxes, labels and paperwork. Someone much wiser than me pointed out that such an endeavor would only serve to help the ones creating the bogus boxes and counterfeit paperwork. I now agree.

I promise you, the archives of this forum have enough data, photographs, narrative descriptions regarding this subject. It takes a little time, but in the end, I have learned a great deal and can discern these cheats most of the time, if not every time.

Buyer beware.

[GUNKWAZY]

Yes it was a wood grain wannabe box.
Boy I feel sorry for the guy that paid a PREMIUM price for a perfect boxed gun.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[JohnBT]

And I'm stuck with a real box in a sea of faux-nies.

A year or two ago my father told me to sell his 1991 Python box with no labels or markings on it and keep the money (since he had given me all of his stuff when he moved to The Home.) I would sell it, but who is going to believe it really came from Colt.

He sent a new Python back to have the front sight straightened and they kept the original box and sent him a brand new nekkid one.

The gun was his favorite shooter, so we don't really need the box.

John

[Cruiser RN]

This is a nice thought but it was pointed out if such a thread were here it would be giving a lesson to the makers of false boxes on how to improve thier product.I have never been into the whole box thing because all my guns are shooters,but to some they pay a large premium for them.One day a fellow instructor and I were at a store we recommend to our students when I mentioned that someone spent 159 dollars for a D.S. box and papers on Ebay.He smiled, took out a box,gave it to me and said like this one?I took out my Credit Card and asked how much and he said it's yours.So now I have a box for my Detective Special........

I don't know a durn thing about "boxes" and I'm sure a lot of folks looking on this forum don't either. I think it would be great if someone could post some pictures of original boxes - the things to look for in an original box and then some photos of the "bogus boxes" and the things to look out for that show that they are "bogus". If, of course, anybody has a "bogus box" that they can show off? Being the "Colt Forum" . . . I think it would be of service to the members if it could be done. Just my 2 cents and humble opinion on the topic as I know that I'd hate to get stuck with a fake and I'm sure others would feel the same way. Thanks much to the posers that be - greatly appreciated!

[bedbugbilly]

Ah . . . as you gentlemen pointed out, after more thought on a "real/bogus box primer" . . . I can see your stance on it. . . . something that I did not think of when I made my post about the possibility of giving some of us an education. Your point is well taken and understood. I've seen what you are talking about in other collectibles. Thanks for taking the time to address my question/thoughts - it is greatly appreciated! bedbug