Determine Age of 34-1 by Serial Number

[gabbyh75]

I bought a kit gun for my Dad sometime in the 1960s. He passed away more than 30 years ago and the revolver passed to me. It's like new and I'm sure has less than 100 rounds put through it.

I would like to know when the pistol was manufactured. I have the original blue box.

The s/n is M17764.

I hope this is the proper sub-forum to ask this question. If not, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.

 

[FPrice]

Model 34-1 Serial Number range:

1969-1971 M1-M30000

Looks like yours falls right in the middle.

 

[gabbyh75]

Thanks, MPrice. After I posted my message, I opened the revolver's box. The sales receipt is still in the box. Purchased in 1973, not the 60's. I shouldn't be surprised that my memory is a little faulty.

The nice little gun cost me $105.15 in 1973 by the way. Just ordered a set of good looking grips from Altamont and am looking for a leather belt holster. Think I'll put some rounds through it and give it to my Grandson later.

 

[FPrice]

Glad I could help. I'd save that receipt for historical purposes. Somewhere down the line, someone will say: "Gosh, guns were so cheap back then!"

 

[duckloads]

Gosh, guns were so cheap back then!

 

[MajorD]

While we all complain over the price of things these days, it has been said often here and other sites when adjusted for inflation the price of guns and ammo today is actually much cheaper than back then. In the early 80's as a teen I remember my father ponying up $175 for a used but minty with box papers and tools model 19. I doubt my father at the time made more than 30k a year. most people today working as hard as he did back then probably make about 120k so roughly four times as much and a great condition 19 can be found for less than 700 bucks.
Also back in the early 70's when my brother got into shooting cheap surplus and foreign made ammo was nonexistent as was the value line stuff like American eagle or Winchester white box. Back then a box of 9mm ball was around 6 bucks and his starting wage as a new cop was like 12k a year. Today the box of ammo has doubled but his wage prior to retirement as a detective was about ten times what it was in the old days.

 

[gabbyh75]

It makes sense that the handgun market is much much larger today than it was in the 70's. When I was young, the US population was ~120,000,000. Now, it's what... ~320,000,000. The increase in price from inflation was counterbalanced by the increase in the market for guns.

 

[Truckerjim]

34-1 box

I have an opportunity to purchase one but it has a gray/silver box, with matching label. Just curious as to what yours came in.
Thanks

 

[Truckman]

I have an opportunity to purchase one but it has a gray/silver box, with matching label. Just curious as to what yours came in.
Thanks

For those unaware, the Bangor Punta boxes of that era were silver/gray for the nickel guns, and blue for the blued guns......Ben

 

[sophie]

For those unaware, the Bangor Punta boxes of that era were silver/gray for the nickel guns, and blue for the blued guns......Ben

Ben, I have a S&W Model 19-4 Nickel 2 1/2" with factory box, and a S&W Model 10-7 Nickel 2" with factory box that I bought new, both manufactured in 1980 and both these nickel guns came with the 2 piece Blue Bangor Punta box from the factory. There are many members here who have nickel guns with factory S&W boxes that are Blue Bangor Punta 2 piece boxes from the early 80's and it has been discussed before. S&W seemed to use whatever was left on the shelf at the time.
I also have a S&W Model 34-1 Nickel 2" from 1969 that has the Silver/Gray 2 piece Bangor Punta Box.

 

[Truckman]

James, I stand corrected having momentarily forgotten the cardinal rule: With Smith & Wesson, anything is possible......Ben