Hello forum;

I have checked old posts, and sticky's back to 2009 give or take, and I cannot seem to find a definitive answer.

Model 34-1 .22LR Pinned & Recessed M prefix serial number 51XXX, on butt of gun. I have it at 90-95% original blue finish, very slight turn line, clean as a whistle. SCSW 4th edition puts it around 1972 ship date. No box, no docs so I dropped off $250 from his "high" first price, then dropped another $50 off because of the non-original stocks.

Problem is that it is a round butt, J-frame, but when I got it, it was equipped with RB to Square Butt conversion stocks. The stocks are checkered and with S&W medallions, no chips, cracks or heavy wear. The guy I got it from received it this way years ago from the original owner, and the seller (to me) swears there has never been other grips on this gun while he has had it. We dickered around a little to get to a acceptable price to both him and I, and I told him my lower offer from asking was based predominantly on those conversion stocks not being S & W originals, albeit they are very high quality walnut, not refinished, but not stamped or inked with any kind of catalog number or anything.

question for you Model 34-1 experts (or owners). Did Smith & Wesson to your best knowledge, ever (I Know never say never with all things S & W) offer a conversion grip made by them for sale with the original gun? I would even accept if it were a high quality firm like Altamont, because with my 637-2 it came originally (for $75.00 extra) in 2002 with beautiful Altamont Combats and they were not dealer add-ons.

I cannot find any thread that unequivocally actually states for positive that S & W did offer these conversions on any new J frame round butt, but I do see plenty of threads asking about the same, or defining several quality aftermarket grips.

Life and death does not depend on me ever getting an answer, but I know the seller, a good guy, with similar guns, interests and tastes as me, and I told him that if I can find out for positive sure that these conversions were offered by S & W in that era......I'd be right over with $50.00 (which he can put towards joining SWCA).

How about your ideas, opinions input which may not help but would be welcome either way? Such is life in S & W horse trading, gum flapping, "expert" to "expert", etc. you know the drill.

Do I get to keep my $50 or give it back?

Attached Images

Model 34-c.jpg (98.8 KB, 91 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

They look real to me........rnd to sq SW conversion grips on mdl 43 and 34 revolvers.

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	Model43SWcopy-2.jpg (29.9 KB, 54 views)
	IMG_4377copy-1.jpg (51.7 KB, 50 views)

Yes they are factory stocks. I have seen Mod. 34s like yours as well as 3" barrel Mod.36s with those stocks.

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Tim
SWCA #2697

I also have several sets of those stocks. I currently have 2 sets on my 63 and 3" 940.

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Dan
Ps 96 SWCA 2930 SWHF 524

Thanks Model17, kansasgunner and gdad for your speedy replies.

Your info that these conversion stocks could have come from S & W, even probably did originally, is really supported by the backstrap of the 34-1 which exhibits literally no wear, no scratches, all deep blue and totally consistent with the rest of the gun. With Magnas even high horn, on my other J frames I can see that very faint outline up on the sideplate from wipe downs, etc. over the years (not rust or anything just a finger trace of an oil line that wipes away immediately). This one has a similar "outline" but of the conversion RB to SB stocks.

All in all.....I'm texting him this morning that I'm sending over the $50, because I would have just spent it (or more possibly) on FleaBay for J frame Magna's or "service" stocks which would not even felt as good to my hands so these conversions would have stayed for shooting anyway.

Besides that....this seller is a lot younger than I am, maybe on a roll, moving OUT of a few Smiths and INTO Colts...just the opposite of me.....so along with the $50 he is getting pics of my Colt Woodsman Sport, (1962) 95-98% in box, with all docs and factory extra mag AND an offer to trade/dicker/negotiate for his pristine Model 17-4 with Bangor Punta box and docs.

Again......thank you guys for the super replies. As Harry Callahan MAY have said (had he actually had the 6th round still in there) "You just made my day"

Attached Images

Woodsman 4.jpg (79.9 KB, 22 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

They were not really "conversion" stocks but just J-frame Target stocks that were made to fit both round butt and square butt guns... They came smooth or checkered.

I have them on most of my .22 Js...




Bob

ps...mighty straight of you to give back the $50.00...

M51000 would have been from 1972, and this style of factory stocks with the black stock discs would have been from the late '70s, so I doubt they are original to the gun.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

This 34-1 originated in March 1982, and have the same "magna" stocks. The frame is Round Butt, the stocks just give it that Square Butt feel. I believe these were the standard issue stocks for many years for the Mod 34.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Again..........thanks to all for the replies. I like the feel of the stocks, and again...I'm not going to renege on a good faith promise.

I stuffed a US Grant in an envelope and just got back from "positn" it in the Noo Knighted States Mail.

So...the gun feels good, looks good, I want to get it out (maybe with 12 year old grandson) this weekend. It seems to balance well for smaller hands and with the red insert on front site I believe the young man may do well (IF...it can be pried away from the wife!).

P.S. The seller turned me down on the Colt Woodsman even up for his 17-4 so there is hope for him yet to stick with some Smiths in the bunch.

Pics when I can get them of the 34-1

Good shooting to you all!

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

cman...a pic of the 34 being shot by the grandson would be great...these guns were made for kids...of all ages...

If you check GunBroker and eBay you can occasionally find a S&W Modle 51 .22 Magnum cylinder... Then you can have a two caliber gun. The Model 35 above has one installed and that target was shot at 20 yards with .22 Magnum ammo. Did the same with a Model 63 using a 651 cylinder...

Bob

If you do find and acquire an extra cylinder, LR or Magnum, be sure to have the registration checked BEFORE SHOOTING.. the new cylinder may spit lead if not lined up perfectly to the barrel. Cylinders provided by the factory with a revolver have assured registration. Tom

It is good to have them installed and timed by a good Smith smith...

Bob