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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 06-21-2018, 12:34 PM
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Default 34-1 in stainless? Really?

Local shop has a 4" 34-1 with those little J frame targets.

But it looks like stainless. Definitely not nickel, doesn't really look like hard chrome either. Seller swears it's stainless.

Do stainless 34s really exist? Or are they mis-marked 63s?
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Old 06-21-2018, 12:39 PM
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Hard chrome or another stainless-like surface coating. If they are asking for a price commensurate for a stainless model 34-1, ask if they will refund the difference between that and a standard model if a letter of authenticity says blue/nickel .
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Old 06-21-2018, 12:54 PM
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Hard chrome or another stainless-like surface coating. If they are asking for a price commensurate for a stainless model 34-1, ask if they will refund the difference between that and a standard model if a letter of authenticity says blue/nickel .
I think I might head down there and ask them to take off the grips...see what is stamped there?
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Old 06-21-2018, 12:55 PM
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Seller swears it's stainless.
Usually when a seller swears, it's because he has no idea what he's talking about.
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Old 06-21-2018, 01:00 PM
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Not stainless.
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Old 06-21-2018, 01:12 PM
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Beyond looking at stampings, bring a decent magnet with you. Put the magnet to the "stainless 34" barrel. Then put the magnet to an ordinary blued revolver and /or another SS revolver in the same barrel location. A magnet will hold to carbon steel with much more force than to stainless.
My bet is the magnet holds strongly to the 34.
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Old 06-21-2018, 02:09 PM
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It is an aftermarket finish, it is not a stainless model 34

If it is priced to make you happy and you like the way it looks, buy it.

If it is priced as the rare, never seen Stainless model 34 variant, then just walk away and forget about trying to negotiate a reasonable price
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Old 06-21-2018, 03:59 PM
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Thanks guys. The 4th edition agrees with all of you

I did go look at it and took some pictures. The price is good though, I will probably still get it, though it's not collectible. Chromed trigger, hammer, and star. Serial is M673XX. The frame and barrel are done so well it does look like stainless.







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Old 06-21-2018, 04:21 PM
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Looks like the old Armalloy finish to me.
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Old 06-21-2018, 05:44 PM
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Looks like the old Armalloy finish to me.
Yep. Well it's not a unicorn, but still a nice P&R kit gun, if you're not into the whole original condition thing.
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Old 06-21-2018, 08:14 PM
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Case hardening missing from trigger and hammer.
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Old 06-21-2018, 11:18 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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Case hardening missing from trigger and hammer.
Both my 2" & 4" 63's came with flash chromed hammers and triggers from the factory.
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Old 06-21-2018, 11:48 PM
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Both my 2" & 4" 63's came with flash chromed hammers and triggers from the factory.
OP says it is marked 34-1.
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Old 06-21-2018, 11:51 PM
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Quote:
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Both my 2" & 4" 63's came with flash chromed hammers and triggers from the factory.
I'm going to guess your 63s don't have chromed stars. It's a hard chromed gun.
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Old 06-22-2018, 10:19 AM
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I'm going to guess your 63s don't have chromed stars. It's a hard chromed gun.
I still say its Armalloy. Most refinishers refinish all parts. All my 34's have CC triggers & hammers. My 63's flash chrome........Still its a nice pistol and I would buy it if I didn't have some.
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Old 06-22-2018, 11:29 AM
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I still say its Armalloy. Most refinishers refinish all parts. All my 34's have CC triggers & hammers. My 63's flash chrome........Still its a nice pistol and I would buy it if I didn't have some.
That's where I'm at. P&R S&Ws, possibly excepting M&Ps/Model 10s, are going nuts right now. Can't hurt to get a few more...well other than my wife going nuts too
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Old 06-22-2018, 10:51 PM
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In the days before stainless firearms became widely available... after market finishes like Armaloy were highly desireable for service weapons & guns expected to be used outdoors under difficult weather conditions. If it was priced right, I'd be a buyer.
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Old 06-23-2018, 12:19 AM
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Devils in the details,
Although the pinned barrel ceased sometime in the early 1980's all S&W K and J frame revolvers have recessed cylinders so not an issue.

If the price is adjusted to reflect its a refinished gun in "shooter" condition that has no collectability I would buy it (even though I have too many shooters already )

Priced anywhere near an original Model 34-1 or Model 63 I would lose interest VERY quick and just keep my feelers out for a nice 34-1 or 63.
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Old 06-23-2018, 01:30 AM
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Devils in the details,
Although the pinned barrel ceased sometime in the early 1980's all S&W K and J frame revolvers have recessed cylinders so not an issue.

If the price is adjusted to reflect its a refinished gun in "shooter" condition that has no collectability I would buy it (even though I have too many shooters already )

Priced anywhere near an original Model 34-1 or Model 63 I would lose interest VERY quick and just keep my feelers out for a nice 34-1 or 63.
True, all the rimfires, including brand new ones, have the "R" portion of "P&R".

The price is pretty good. Not mind blowing, but I decided to go for it.
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Old 06-23-2018, 07:36 AM
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Seems like those of us a little West of you (I’m in Lynchburg, VA) have a pretty hard time finding ANY affordable S&W 22 revolvers. If you got that one at a “shooter grade” price, I’d say you did well. Enjoy it!

Froggie
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Old 06-23-2018, 08:52 AM
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I had a 2.5” Mod 19 with the Armalloy finish that was beautiful. Left the hanger and trigger original. The armalloy seemed very durable. Was carried on many hunting trips both in a belt and shoulder holster and looked like new after several years of use. One of those “I’d sure like to have back” guns. Buddy I sold it to had a real nice collection of guns when he died and a dealer came in and bought everything from the widow who had no clue to the value.
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Old 06-23-2018, 10:09 AM
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Good buy!

We've seen Smiths stamped with the wrong Model # on occasion although uncommon. The Model 63 is serial numbered in the same # series as the 34-1.

However yours is clearly a 34-1 because all the 63s had a front sight base, the 34s never did. It's a plated 34-1.
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Old 06-25-2018, 12:55 PM
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Seems like those of us a little West of you (I’m in Lynchburg, VA) have a pretty hard time finding ANY affordable S&W 22 revolvers. If you got that one at a “shooter grade” price, I’d say you did well. Enjoy it!

Froggie
I'm a lot west of you out here in Washington State.
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Old 06-25-2018, 01:05 PM
S&WIowegan S&WIowegan is offline
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Wink

The other chrome plater that was active years ago was Metaloy.

As long hkcavalier knows what he's buying the rest is his business.
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Old 06-26-2018, 08:52 AM
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I'm a lot west of you out here in Washington State.
Oops! My glasses must have been smudged and I read the “W” as a “V” to get that idea... I was mentally putting you in our Chesapeake Bay area, which has a fair number of S&W enthusiasts. Your screen name added to my confusion due to the UVa Cavaliers. Sorry for the confusion.

Regards,
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Old 06-26-2018, 09:03 AM
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If the gun functions normally, I’d be quite happy to have that Model 34. That finish is ideal for an “outdoors gun” and I think it would be perfect for kayaking and canoeing, or just general woods loafing. Congratulations on finding that one and good luck with it! Very nice looking work on the plating job, from what I can see.
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Old 07-03-2018, 06:35 PM
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I ended up getting the gun today. I'm starting to wonder if it has a 63 barrel on it, the brushed look is a bit different than the rest of the gun.

Do people get .22WMR cylinders for these and swap them out? I am well aware it's not an easy chore like with, say, a Ruger Single Six. I see Numrich has J frame .22WMR cylinders, used.
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