Help On Correct Model 34 Box

[rusty37874]

There is a "Pre Punta Gorda" 22/32 Model 34, Kit Gun Box currently on Ebay. ( Model 34, 4", Blue, Square Butt )

When was the period of "Pre Punta Gorda"?
I have a Model 34, No Dash, Same configuration of the above. in the 45xxx Ser. # Range--Would this be the correct era box for this gun?

 

[s&wchad]

There is a "Pre Punta Gorda"...

Yes there is!!!

Bangor Punta owned S&W from 1965 to 1987. The box is for #44,220, which is pretty darn close to yours. If you want it, buy it.

Punta Gorda is in Florida!

 

[rusty37874]

Now there's a real "TYPO"!-- Thanks for the response Chad.-- I am assuming that we are talking Pre 1965. I have no date of manufacture information, but assumed my Model 34 was late 50's.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

The number on the box, according to chad, seems low for it to be a Bangor Punta box. I have a Model 34, no dash, that is 54xxx and shipped in 1962. Smith never shipped serial numbers in order, but this one seems way off.
Your correct box might be what was called the Sunburst style of blue two piece box. I don't own one of these boxes, so I can't post a picture, but they were used from 1954-60 for this style of pistol.

 

[rusty37874]

I think it should read "Pre Bangor Punta" which would be right, if Bangor Punta took over in 1965, & this is a "Pre" Box. Late 1950's would be about right. I am by no means an expert on dating these, but I think the 44,xxx-45xxx Serial # Range would put it in this time range.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Sorry about that. Chad set me straight and I read the original message too quickly. That box should be prefect for your pistol. Please disregard my previous message and go for it!

Next time I will read the post more closely.

 

[jcelect]

Pre-pre-Bangor Punta

Here are two boxes that preceed the Bangor Punta era. The right hand box is what we call a "sun burst" box. The 2" gun in the sun burst box was shipped in Apr 1959 and the serial number is 45xxx. I have not seen the box on eBay but it should be a sun burst box to be period correct for your gun!

jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[rusty37874]

jcelect--The box on ebay is exactly like the one pictured on the left, with the solid silver line. The box is marked # 44220, which is close to mine. Did they change the box configuration at this time frame?

 

[bk43]

Keep in mind that slower moving models and even some barrel lengths within the same model can be using older boxes while the faster movers are shipping in a newer box. I try to view when boxes change as general estimates and not cut and dried.

Bottom line is that the correct box for a given gun is only an educated guess. With some guns there is more certainty but still a guess.

Bob

 

[jcelect]

Just guess!

Hey rusty
Using the serial number of a gun to date the gun is by far the worst thing to do. An example is the box you have found! Its number is 44xxx and the sun burst box I posted a pic of is 45xxx yet the sun burst box preceeds the box you found! S&W DID NOT manufacture, store, and ship guns in serial number order. The storage system at the factory was first in, last out type of storage. Next the factory did not throw away unused boxes when a style change was made so my 2" gun might have sat on the shelf longer and the 4" guns sold better so the sun burst style of boxes were used up sooner and the 44xxx gun was shipped in the new style box! The 4" box pictured is not numbered to the gun pictured so I have no date reference. Are you connfuzzed yet, I am! ? ! ? ! ?
jcelect

 

[dant]

sounds good either way, have seen them 'short' with a two line address, and the kicker would be the modle may be "emboosed" in silver, on the opposite end of the box, and yes, the "overlapped", and finally yes, after 'Bangor Punta' ( I do like that Punta Gorda though...)took over the boxes became a 3 line address, and the older ones were relegated to the "service operations" ( repair) from what we have seen...............as often saids, they usually did NOT throw ANYTHING away ( they would put a different model end label on it to boot)they wanted things to be MORE 'generic' and useful across the board, cost way too much for 'printing' a different box for each and every model variation........