Got a question about a Model 34, possibly a 34 -1

Was down to a local LGS and saw the above mentioned gun in the case. It had a 6'' barrel and they were asking $1,000. They were busy and I also was in a bit of a time constraint so I quickly asked the counter guy about it. He said it was a factory "odd ball" that came with 3 barrels (2''& 4") and that it had to go back to the factory for barrel switching. Said it all came in a factory box that way

Now I never heard anything like that and looked it up in the Standard catalog S&W and found nothing about it. I did not examine the gun only looked threw the glass as I said above pressed for time. Is this gun on the level? My best guess is no!

Any help appreciated. THANKS!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

It may be a model 35, a parts bin model 34 or ?. I have not heard of a factory multi-barrel revolver but I suppose anything is possible; you would need a letter of authenticity to be sure but I would guess a 99.9% chance it came with just one length.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Didn't they make a 5" gun for a couple of years in the 80s or 90s???????

I never seen one with 6 inch.(usually 2 or 4) The price is certainly in the higher ballpark. I would need some sort of letter or confirmation before shelling out that much.

Here is a 6in. s&w mdl.34-1.remember the s&w mdl.35 were square butt.
Dick

Well a picture is worth a thousand words!! There you have it, can never doubt what S&W would do back in the day!

Yes, the stainless model 63-4.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

We really need more info to opine on the gun.

But these realities we do know:
There was never a 3” 22/32 barrel of regular production, and none known of special order.

Standard 22/32 Kit Gun barrels were 2” & 4”, and 6” with a square butt only on the 22/32 Target Model,
for the I frame (pre war 4” only) Mod 34 & Mod 35 or the post 1960 J frame Mod 34-1 & Mod 35 -1.

The Mode of 1955 J frame 22/32 Kit Gun Airweight (the Mod 43 post 1957) with sq butt only had a standard barrel of 3 ½”. I’ve seen them re-barreled after market with longer barrels.

The 32 and 38 S&W small frame models were produced with 3” barrels among others but did not have target sights with one exception in 1957.

The butt serial #, star by butt serial # or not, S&W Service date on left side of grip frame under the stock or not, butt shape and whether model stamped or not might be helpful.

But the facts above and the end label on the box should help discern what you saw.

For a nice boxed Target Pre Mod 35 and Mod 35-1 I frame, or Mod 35-1 is priced about right at $1000 and a bit low.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

If all 3 barrels are included that's not a bad deal. I'm guessing the owner sent it back to S&W and had a 34 re-barreled with a 6" mod 35 barrel and purchased a 2" barrel for some reason to have all 3. If the barrels have all been "fit" to the gun, they could be changed by a knowledgeable person without going back to S&W.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Very possible what you say. The clerk did say it had to go back to the factory. I know I could not swap a barrel. Asking the knowledgeably people here and a couple people in my area that know S&W fairly well conciseness is it was not a factory gun coming with 3 barrels. (I would want to see serious documentation that proved out the story)

I would have to assume that was what the person said that it came with 3 that sold the gun to the dealer. It sounds interesting to say the least but its not for me.

Thanks to you and all others that contributed their knowledge to this thread.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!