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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #1  
Old 03-23-2010, 02:04 PM
andy1824 andy1824 is offline
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Model 34 22/32 kit gun? Model 34 22/32 kit gun? Model 34 22/32 kit gun? Model 34 22/32 kit gun? Model 34 22/32 kit gun?  
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Default Model 34 22/32 kit gun?

Hey guys! New member here looking for a little help on this gun I am thinking about purchasing. This is an estate gun that was owned by my friend's great uncle. It is believed the gun was purchased in 1955, but you guys can prob tell me more.

Has the original box.
Looks to be in beautiful, mint condition. I'd say 98 - 99%. I'm not even sure it has been shot!
Has the recessed cylinder and pinned barrel, walnut grips and 4 inch barrel.
Serial # on butt: 43,xxx

Based on the information above, can you guys put an approx date and value on this gun?

Thanks in advance!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg side view close up.jpg (36.1 KB, 610 views)
File Type: jpg open.jpg (37.5 KB, 477 views)
File Type: jpg box.jpg (52.5 KB, 364 views)
File Type: jpg open box.jpg (40.1 KB, 326 views)

Last edited by andy1824; 03-23-2010 at 02:07 PM.
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  #2  
Old 03-23-2010, 02:46 PM
Lumpy Pockets Lumpy Pockets is offline
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Model 34 22/32 kit gun? Model 34 22/32 kit gun? Model 34 22/32 kit gun? Model 34 22/32 kit gun? Model 34 22/32 kit gun?  
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Dang, that thing's pretty. Glad it's not being offered to me because I'd probably overpay for one that nice with the box.
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Old 03-23-2010, 02:56 PM
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Sometime during 1955 the 5th screw was deleted so if it has the screw on the right side by the hammer that's an indication. I can't tell you by the serial number. It's a fantastic looking revolver and I would buy it if you haven't already.
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Old 03-23-2010, 03:00 PM
ken158 ken158 is offline
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Most likely model of 1953 instead of model 34. How many screws on the sideplate? Is it marked model 34 inside the yoke? What makes you think it was bought in 1955? The box date you see only dates the box version. Regardless, I would think $400 - $600. A little more info needed on this one and serial # would help
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  #5  
Old 03-23-2010, 03:03 PM
opoefc opoefc is offline
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Welcome to the Forum. That's a nice speciment of the Model 34 Kit gun, however the box is missing the spec. sheet, paper wrapping and cleaning kit. Those can usually be found on Ebay, if you want to complete the set. The gun is a flat latch version and was probably shipped circa 1959-60 era. Ball park value estimate, retail, is $500-$600, depending on where you live. Ed #15
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Old 03-23-2010, 03:28 PM
andy1824 andy1824 is offline
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Thanks for the help guys. 1955 is just the date I was told, so take that with a grain of salt. I have only handled the gun once and I don't recall the # of screws on the sideplate or seeing "model 34" inside the yoke.

I will have my hands on it (prob for good!) tomorrow. After purchasing, I plan on getting a letter from S&W.

As far as value, we have $400 - 600 and $500 - 600. Is this about what everyone is thinking? Thanks again!
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  #7  
Old 03-23-2010, 03:31 PM
WNC Seabee WNC Seabee is offline
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I picked up a very nice Model 34-1, 4" round butt, yesterday without box/papers for $400 OTD. Mine dates to ~1975.

There is a Model 34 that looks NIB with box/papers in terrific condition at my local pusher with a $650 tag on it. It's been there 30 days at that price.
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Old 03-23-2010, 10:00 PM
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Alk8944 Alk8944 is offline
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The top sideplate screw was deleted in 1955 at approximately SN 11,000. That gun is probably 1957, right in the transition period for model marking. Does the SN on the box match the gun? If it does, what does the box say the model is?

The 1955 in the box is no more than the date the language of the message printed in the box was adopted. They must have been satisfied, because the same wording, and date, was used in all S&W boxes until they discontinued the message sometime in the 1980s.
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Old 03-23-2010, 11:19 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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I bought a nickel 4" 34 in 99% condition without box and papers for 5 bills last Saturday at a gunshow.
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  #10  
Old 03-24-2010, 12:10 AM
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I bought a stainless 4" 63 in 99% condition with box and papers and cleaning kit for 6-1/2 bills a few Saturdays ago at a gunshow. And I`m very happy with it. And it shoots very straight.

Last edited by 649 Bodyguard; 03-24-2010 at 12:15 AM.
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  #11  
Old 03-24-2010, 12:58 PM
andy1824 andy1824 is offline
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ok, a little more info.

The box does have paper. No cleaning kit. The Statement of liabilitu and warranty info are printed on the inside of the bottom half of the box. The directions for use are printed on the inside of the top half of the box.

The serial number is written on the back of the bottom half of the box.

Side of box says:
SMITH & WESSON
22/32 Kit Gun
Blue Finish Model 34
Round Butt 4-inch Barrel

Does say "MOD-34"

No Screw on the right side by the hammer

Thanks!
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Old 03-24-2010, 02:49 PM
Anton Dee Anton Dee is offline
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The Model 34 is a fantastic little revolver and a great shooter. Mine is also a flatlatch model but somewhat 'younger' as the serial # is 757XX and has a Square Butt. I really love shooting it!

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Last edited by Anton Dee; 03-24-2010 at 02:57 PM. Reason: # etc
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Old 03-24-2010, 03:13 PM
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Very nice gun. I just bought (last weekend) an early model 35. It was serial number 401xx and was shipped in May of 1959. I think the 34 and 35's were serial numbered in the same sequence. You have a very neat gun. It should be on the improved I frame (coil spring). The model numbers weren't stamped until 1957 so yours should be a bit after that. Mine has an earlier serial number and wasn't shipped until 59...but you'll find ship dates all over the place sometimes with S&W.
I think yours had to have been made before 1960 because that's when they became 34-1's. That's also when they switched over and were made on the "J" frame. Your cylinder will be just a bit shorter than if it were a 34-1. I'm still learning about these little 22's so hopefully I'm not spouting incorrect info. The box looks correct and is an early pre bangor punta script. I'd say you have a very nice acquisition...and thanks for posting the pics.

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  #14  
Old 03-24-2010, 03:37 PM
andy1824 andy1824 is offline
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So if I can get this gun for say $400 - $450, then go ahead and do it, right? That would be a pretty good buy, right?

Thank you everyone for all the HELP!
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Old 03-24-2010, 06:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andy1824 View Post
So if I can get this gun for say $400 - $450, then go ahead and do it, right? That would be a pretty good buy, right?

Thank you everyone for all the HELP!
That would be a very fair price.
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  #16  
Old 03-25-2010, 12:17 AM
nutsforsmiths nutsforsmiths is offline
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I have a 34 identical to the one Anton Dee pictured. Serial 540xx that was shipped in 1962. It must have been sitting in on the self for awhile, as it was shipped 2 years after the 34-1 was released.

$400 seems a good price. They are a lot of fun to shoot as well.
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Old 03-27-2010, 07:30 AM
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Buy it or let me buy it! I have a round butt and a square butt 34, and they are great training guns for younger shooters or women. You will always need a top shelf 22, and this is it.
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  #18  
Old 03-27-2010, 10:17 AM
ttrotter ttrotter is offline
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In my neck of the woods, NC, I (and every other S&W junkie) would be all over it at $450- like June Bugs on a Mimosa tree in August :-)
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Old 03-28-2010, 08:16 AM
au2183 au2183 is offline
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I have a 34-1 with box that I picked up 2-3 years ago for $450. I would buy another one at that price, box or no, in a heartbeat!
Buy it, and post some more pictures!
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Old 03-28-2010, 07:19 PM
thedane thedane is offline
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This is the 34 I picked up this weekend. What a coincidence! It has a nice box and instruction sheet. Serial Number 40xxx. Looks like it was made post 1957 but before 1960.







The grips are numbered to the gun and looked like they hadn't been off. There was verdigris on the brass pin in the center of the washer. Looks like I could have done a better job cleaning the medallions.
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650, flatlatch, kit gun, punta, recessed, round butt, sideplate, smith-wessonforum.com, transition, walnut

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