I recently inherited a 1953 Model 34 Kit Gun. The description with the gun is 22-32 Kit Gun, Model 34, 1953 with Diamond Grip and Flat latch. Condition "Excellent". It doesn't look to have been fired. If so, very few rounds. I also have the original box. I'd appreciate some input as to the value of this gun. I'm not a collector and am just curious. Thanks,
Jim

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	22 gun.jpg (87.2 KB, 112 views)
	box.jpg (47.9 KB, 84 views)

If the revolver is truly from 1953 it can not be a model 34. Smith and Wesson did not go to model numbers until 1957. If you provide a partial serial number we can date the revolver for you. Just replace the last two digits with Xs.

You have a 22/32 Kit gun. It is in excellent condition. It has a square butt. We can not tell from your photograph if it is unfired since leaving the factory or just shot very little and cleaned well. The revolver is built on the Improved I-frame.

Value is subjective. Are the papers and tools in the box? Is the box serial numbered to the revolver?

The good thing is lots of us like these pieces.

Personally I LOVE these little guys. Earlier this year I bought a round butt version that is fired but in at least Excellent condition with a correct box and all papers and tools. I picked it up for a fair price, $600

Verah nice. Verah nice indeed.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Serial # on the gun is 351XX box has the same number written on the bottom is what looks like maybe soapstone? Box is also dated April 15, 1955 under the warranty statement. Maybe the Model 34 is inaccurate? No tools, just a Crown Royal bag with some Long rifle hollow points in it! :-) BTW, thanks for the response. I appreciate the help. Interesting stuff!

Also, it has Model 34 stamped on the inside of the frame, just in front of the cylinder.

You have a very early model-marked .22/32 Kit Gun. It most likely shipped in 1958.

Here are two others from my list that shipped in 1958:
32230 - shipped in January, 1958
31692 - shipped in June, 1958
Neither of them is marked as a Model 34.

Having the star-burst box is a nice touch. Yours isn't in great shape, but it is still with the gun, which is cool! And the gun itself is very nice.

The April 15, 1955, refers to the date that the liability and warranty statements were adopted by the company. The only relation they bear to the date of your gun is that a gun shipped in one of these boxes would have to be from 1955 or later. The date remained in S&W boxes until well into the 1970s.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Thanks for the info. Here's a pic of the end of the box. If you look close, you can see where "square" has been stamped over "round" in the butt description.

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box 2.jpg (24.8 KB, 55 views)

Welcome Renegade.

You do indeed have a "Model 34 .22/32 Kit Gun" built on and virtually the same as the "New" I frame introduced as the "Model of 1953".

The 22/32 Kit Gun and Target models were never produced on the Improved I frame, they evolved directly from the Post War Transistional I frame to the Model of 1953. This is a newer frame forging. Therefore yours clearly can not be an Improved I which introduced the coil mainspring in 1952 but still retained the smaller grip and trigger guard size of the pre war I frame. Also The Improved I frame version of the .32 and .38/32 never used the new style sq butt of your Kit Gun since it wasn't introduced until the Model of 1953 I frames. (NOTE: it will be seen although very rarely on late pre Model of 1953 J frames.)

The 2" with sq butt is MUCH less common than the rd butt version during this period, and less common thru out production until discontinued in 1991.

Based on serial #s of this model with S&W letters documenting their shipping dates in my database, I estimate its shipping date in the 3rd quarter of 1958, with the proviso that guns were not shipped in serial # order, and we can only make educated estimates based on shipping trends. The exact date can only be verified with an Historical Letter.

The 1955 date in the box cover is only the first date of the use of that text but was used for several years.

In that condition with matching serial numbered box, I put its value in the $900 + range.

I hope this is helpful,

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Jim
S&WCA #819

This is very typical because as I posted above, the sq butt was so uncommon in this period.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

By the way, your Kit Gun now has the distinction of being the earliest Mod 34 stamped serial # KG and sq butt in my database.

It should have a 3 screw side plate including the screw under the right grip. Is that correct?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

colt SAA,

That's a real beauty, It's also a Model of 1953 New I frame if not model stamped.

The .400" target trigger is rare.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hi Jack,

#32230 holds the distinction on my list as the highest # Model of 1953, pre model 34.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I believe that's correct. Here's a pic.

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side plate.jpg (53.5 KB, 43 views)

Again, thanks for all of the replies and the info. Very interesting.