I could not tell an original box from a fake, or date any handgun box Colt or other wise. I am not a collector of these items, in fact I am not a collector at all. I love guns and blades period. So, with that said if I purchased a gun from someone, and it came in a box. I would not question the box, as I am only interested in the gun. I would pay a price that I was comfortable with for the gun. If I decided to sell that gun and box to someone else. I could post that gun and someone might say "hey that box is fake, or the wrong year for that gun". Would that make me some kind of "scam" artist? I do not believe it would. It would make me a guy trying to sell a gun. When I shop for guns or edged weapons, if I see something priced to high or the item not looking right. I simply pass the item by, and go on to the next. If this seller knows the box is wrong then he should state that. But, his "i am not sure" remark is enough I feel to put doubt in someone's mind if the correct box is important to the buyer. Peace