Model 34-1 "kit gun" .22lr

glockwhiskey · #1 10-25-2021, 06:23 AM

Awesome purchase from forum member Dave.357

61-62? SN/119xxx

Babysitr · #2 10-25-2021, 07:16 AM

Very nice! so that's what mine used to look like....you'll love it, fun to shoot and easy to carry....mine had a bad case of sticky extraction...reamer cured that

JP@AK · #3 10-25-2021, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glockwhiskey

61-62? SN/119xxx

No. It cannot be that early with that thumbpiece. The flat latch was in use until 1966, so this one is at least that late.

The stocks lack the diamond also. That change was mandated in January, 1966, but implementation was a bit later. My estimate of the ship date for this gun would be in 1967 or later. Of course, a records check by Dr. Jinks or Don would be necessary to get any certainty.

glockwhiskey · #4 10-25-2021, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

No. It cannot be that early with that thumbpiece. The flat latch was in use until 1966, so this one is at least that late.

The stocks lack the diamond also. That change was mandated in January, 1966, but implementation was a bit later. My estimate of the ship date for this gun would be in 1967 or later. Of course, a records check by Dr. Jinks or Don would be necessary to get any certainty.

I've not read where the flat latch was used until 66? I have seen where the flat latch was used up until 58 I believe, when they were still the I frame? I could be wrong. lol
I know they didn't start putting the M before the SN until 69?

Those grips are not original to the gun, it actually had Pachmyer finger grip molded on it when Dave purchased it, he changed them with these.

murphydog · #5 10-25-2021, 08:06 AM

No M prefix to the serial number?

glockwhiskey · #6 10-25-2021, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphydog

No M prefix to the serial number?

I just posted pic of SN

JP@AK · #7 10-25-2021, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glockwhiskey

I've not read where the flat latch was used until 66? I have seen where the flat latch was used up until 58 I believe, when they were still the I frame?

Well, whether you have read it or not, 1966 was the year it was eliminated from all J frames and from the Airweight K frames. By that time, of course, there were no more I frames.

Quote:

I know they didn't start putting the M before the SN until 69?

That is correct. 786549 was the highest serial number used on any J frame before the introduction of the M prefix numbers on the .22/32s and the J prefix on other J frames.

Incidentally, 786549 is five numbers higher than the highest number reported in the SCSW. But Dr. Jinks has confirmed the higher number.

murphydog · #8 10-25-2021, 09:15 AM

If the gun is all original (no reason to think otherwise), you have one of the earliest ones with the newer thumb piece. Enjoy!

DGNY · #9 10-25-2021, 04:29 PM

That is a very handsome little Kit Gun, GW. A warm welcome to you; we hope you'll come back time and again to share information and gain knowledge from this excellent Forum. Yes, there are a lot of details, but for me those never override the joy of ownership, use - and reflection on just how fine these Smith & Wesson's truly are.

May that excellent .22 serve you beautifully for many seasons of recreation and practice. (Never ran across one like that, but would've been honored to do so.)

Thank you for sharing.

glockwhiskey · #10 10-27-2021, 08:29 AM

So no sure born on date on this yet? lol

Rubone · #11 10-27-2021, 09:59 AM

Very nice. Enjoy it. I also recently acquired one as well in but in nickel finish.

PeteC · #12 10-27-2021, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glockwhiskey

So no sure born on date on this yet? lol

From the SCSW book...

1953 - start with s/n 101
also,
108087 shipped in 1965
and,
"1966 Change Thumbpiece"
finally,
1969 last s/n 135465 in the series

So, for what it is worth, and until someone else has more information, you can at least bracket the year of production from that! (The year JP@K gave you is in that date range)

CH4 · #13 10-27-2021, 10:52 AM

Very nice! I regret passing up the chance to buy several blued/nickel 2" 34s.

glockwhiskey · #14 10-27-2021, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteC

From the SCSW book...

1953 - start with s/n 101
also,
108087 shipped in 1965
and,
"1966 Change Thumbpiece"
finally,
1969 last s/n 135465 in the series

So, for what it is worth, and until someone else has more information, you can at least bracket the year of production from that! (The year JP@K gave you is in that date range)

Thank you.

John

PeteC · #15 10-27-2021, 12:00 PM

The stocks that JP@K was referring to may have looked like a pair I recently bought from a very kind member here, jringo8769. Someone else would have to tell you for certain. He got them as part of a lot, so who knows, he may have more,

glockwhiskey · #16 10-27-2021, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteC

The stocks that JP@K was referring to may have looked like a pair I recently bought from a very kind member here, jringo8769. Someone else would have to tell you for certain. He got them as part of a lot, so who knows, he may have more,

Yeah, the model 10 no dash I have on layaway has the diamond grips. I'm hoping they are original to that piece.

S&W-Keeper · #17 10-27-2021, 09:52 PM

I had one. It went away with my first wife. I sure do miss that little revolver.

pharmer · #18 10-28-2021, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S&W-Keeper

I had one. It went away with my first wife. I sure do miss that little revolver.

I got one for my 2nd wife. Best trade I ever made. Joe

Grayfox · #19 10-28-2021, 09:41 AM

I had a 2" Model 34. Nice little gun, but I rarely shot it. Just didn't seem to have much use for it. After lingering in the safe for several years, I let it go.

However, my 4" Model 34 ain't going nowhere.

Mike, SC Hunter · #20 10-28-2021, 09:59 AM

I have some. 2" and 4". All are fun. The likes of guns you'll never see made again,