Welcome to the forum!
That's a great find! We need to see pictures of it. Rd or Sq butt?
Actually it's slightly shorter than your M-34 'dash 1' Kit Gun, a J frame from after Oct. 1960, correct?
The M-34 is still an I frame and the same length, the Model of 1953 "New" I frame, as is your 2" Kit Gun, also known as a Pre-Model 34. With that serial # it shipped in early 1956.
Much more detail here:
THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION
THE POST WAR I FRAMES EVOLUTION - Smith & Wesson Forum
Yes, it would have diamond Magna grips, the same size as the J frames. Diamond grips were produced until 1968 and should be an easy find for you.
Since your gun is a 4 screw, it may still have the serial # in these 6 locations:
Gun butt
Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud
Yoke - on rear face visible thru a chamber with a flashlight
Extractor star - backside
Cylinder - rear face
Right stock – backside
Eventually down to only 3 serial # locations left by c. 1957 which are:
Gun butt
Extractor star - backside
Right stock – backside
The Q in the yoke is a fitter's or inspector's stamp.
The non-matching # in the yoke is an Assembly (factory work) #s: these other multi-digit numbers of 3 to 5 digits, are on the yoke, yoke cut in frame near the hinge, and inside of the sideplate, for the pre wr and early post war period; the frame # in the yoke cut changed to the left side of grip frame after model #s were assigned and also the serial # was stamped in the yoke cut. You know they are assembly (factory work) #s because of those 3 locations that always match on guns that are original, and that’s the only usefulness for them after guns leave the factory: still used to this day, long after serial number locations decreased.
First Timer I or J ?
Linear Mode
