Counter-Strike 2 has several rarity classes, from common Consumer Grade finishes to expensive Covert skins. However, there is one category that sits completely outside the normal system: Contraband. Often described by players as “forbidden skins,” this rarity exists because an item was removed from normal circulation after a copyright dispute.
Despite the plural name sometimes used by the community, there is currently only one weapon skin with Contraband rarity in CS2: M4A4 | Howl. Its unusual history, permanently limited supply and recognizable artwork have turned it into one of the most famous collector items in Counter-Strike.
1. M4A4 | Howl from 4,171 USD
- Rarity: Contraband
- Current collection: None
- Case: None
- Available wears: Factory New, Minimal Wear, Field-Tested, Well-Worn
- StatTrak: Available
- Float range: 0.00–0.40
M4A4 | Howl uses a dramatic red and black design built around the image of a snarling wolf. Bright orange and red details cover much of the receiver, while darker sections on the barrel, magazine and stock create strong contrast.
The design alone would make the Howl recognizable, but its real importance comes from its history. Today it is classified as Contraband, a rarity that no other weapon skin currently shares. On SellYourSkins, its current cash reference price starts at around 4,171 USD, although the actual value varies considerably depending on wear, StatTrak status and the individual market situation.
Why did M4A4 | Howl become Contraband?
The story began in 2014, when the original M4A4 | Howl entered CS through the Steam Workshop. Shortly afterward, Valve received a DMCA copyright complaint stating that artwork used for the Howl and the related Howling Dawn sticker had not been created by the Workshop contributors who submitted it.
Valve responded on June 11, 2014. The company removed the disputed content, banned the involved contributors from the Steam Community and stopped them from receiving revenue from the affected items. Existing copies owned by players were not deleted. Instead, Valve replaced the artwork with an alternative created by the CS team.
At the same time, Valve stated that these items would never be produced again and assigned them a new rarity: Contraband. This decision created one of the most unusual situations in the history of the Counter-Strike skin market.
Can you still unbox M4A4 | Howl?
No. New M4A4 | Howl skins cannot be obtained from cases.
The Howl originally appeared in connection with the Huntsman Weapon Case, but it was permanently removed after the copyright dispute. Existing examples can still be traded between players, but opening cases does not create additional copies.
This is one of the biggest differences between the Howl and an expensive Covert skin. A rare Covert finish may still have new copies entering circulation whenever players open the relevant case. The Howl does not have that source of additional supply.
Can you get a Howl through a Trade Up Contract?
No. The M4A4 | Howl cannot currently be created through a Trade Up Contract either.
Trade Ups rely on skins belonging to eligible collections and rarity tiers. The Howl is no longer part of the normal collection progression and exists in its separate Contraband class. To obtain one today, a player needs to acquire an already existing copy through trading or the secondary skin market.
The rarest kind of CS2 skin for a different reason
M4A4 | Howl is unusual because its rarity was not originally designed as part of the normal skin progression. Contraband was created after an exceptional copyright dispute, and Valve permanently stopped producing additional copies.
That combination of restricted supply, unique classification, recognizable artwork and Counter-Strike history explains why the Howl continues to occupy a special position in the CS2 market.
If you already have a valuable M4A4 | Howl or another rare CS2 item in your Steam inventory, you can check its current cash value through our platform. We provide an offer without waiting for another player to purchase the skin. After you accept the offer and the applicable Steam Trade Protection period ends, the payout can be processed using your selected method.
