35-1 in a 34 box...

[tkohl]

I am no Smith expert, and a coworker brought this in to work and would like an approximate value...the gun appears to have been fired very little, light cylinder line and no blue wear at all on the rest of the gun. No tools unfortunately...but has the wax paper ...

 

[s&wchad]

That gun is a 34-1, not a 35-1. The wrong number was written on the end label. The 35-1 is the "target" version and it only came with a 6" barrel. The 34-1 is essentially the same thing, but it was only offered with a 2" or 4" barrel. If you swing the cylinder open and look in the frame cut, you'll see the model number ("MOD 34-1").

The gun dates to around 1968-69 and the right grip panel will have the serial number stamped on the back (if original). Where I live, that gun's worth about $550.

 

[tkohl]

Here is where I become perplexed...the frame is clearly stamped 35-1...I will post a picture later today...

 

[s&wchad]

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck!

I can think of two possible explanations.

The factory assembled a 4" 34-1 on a 35-1 frame and labeled the box to match the gun. Factory mistakes are not that uncommon and can bring a slight premium to the right collector.

A previous owner had the barrel changed from 6" to 4" (shame, since the 6" version is worth about twice what a 4" goes for) and married it with a Kit Gun box and reproduction label. Are there any marks on the barrel flat (above the ejector rod)? A good photo of the left side of the grip frame might also help.

I suspect it was a factory error. A letter would resolve this once and for all.

 

[JP@AK]

Does the serial number on the butt match the one on the label? You didn't mention the serial number at all, except to show the end label.

 

[tkohl]

Finish unmarred, SN on gun matches the box...

 

[wrangler5]

Well, they're not unique. I have one like it but a bit older - in addition to the pinned barrel it has a flat latch and diamond Magnas numbered to the gun. The frame says "Mod 35." No box, so no idea how it was shipped. But when I was buying mine I posted a question about it here ( try to determine if it qualified for a C&R purchase) and was told about the inconsistency between the barrel and the model number. The consensus seemed to be that the factory just did that sometimes.

 

[dant]

waste not, want not......label looks good and proper to us, have seen others the same way, they used what they had and shipped it......error?? if only it could talk.........the records will reflect on what the serial number is , and the features.....get a letter

NICE gun..........

 

[roymack]

I purchased a Mod. 35-1, 6" barrel, and is stamped M34-1. The factory letter states it is a Mod. 35-1.

 

[jcelect]

It could be right!

I had a 33-1 with a 2" barrel, original box and papers! Everyone, including me, said it should be a 32-1 as the 33-1 came with a 4" barrel only. When I lettered the gun it came back as a 33-1 shipped with a 2" barrel. Assembled wrong, using up available parts, frame stamped wrong, who knows but the factory did it!
jcelect