[Methos1979]

On the older model Colt revolvers, where the serial numbers routinely hand written on the bottom? I've seen this on a couple boxes in photos and in person now. Sometimes there is a different number written in a box on the side, and sometimes there is nothing written in this area at all. Can someone who has an old Colt box or two post some photos and what they've seen?

 

[JohnnyP]

The number on the outside of the box was a quick way to get the serial number without unwrapping the gun. The guns were not always built and immediately shipped out. Some stayed around for years, and the record of their sale couldn't be completed until they were sold.

This is a Police Positive box with the serial number as well as the price code and price of the dealer.

 

[Methos1979]

On the box shown, is there also a number (of any kind) written on the label on the side? I found a Colt Cobra, NIB, unfired in which the owner claims has the original box. The correct number is written on the bottom, as I've seen on many posted box photos, but on the label on the side there is a different number. The number on the bottom is a six digit while the number on the side label is a five.

 

[JohnnyP]

The only label on the box shown is on the end, and there are no other markings.

 

[MtnSpur]

I realize this thread was directed towards revolvers but I have a 1936 M1908 .380 w/box that has the serial number on the bottom as shown above and no numbers on the end label except caliber.

 

[Buckspen]

With Colt, most of the time the serial number was written on the outside bottom of the box, particularly with pre-WWII guns. Post-war, some boxes were used that came with plain cardboard sleeves (National Match pistols in "trophy" boxes and dual cylinder Frontier Scouts are two), and the numbers were written on the sleeves. When the styrofoam boxes came into use (around 1974), serial numbers were usually written on the labels on one end flap of the cardboard shell. Even later, they were computer printed on the labels.

I have seen many pre-1974 Colt gun boxes with various numbers written or stamped on the labels. These numbers are almost always different from the serial numbers. I believe that these non-matching numbers were inventory control numbers applied by gun sellers.

- - - Buckspen