A lady in my church who is in her 70's had asked me to sell her 22 pistol. She brought it over in one of those old zippered leather pouches. Inside was a pristine Model 34-1 with a nickel finish. She then asked me if I wanted the box too. She had the original box matched to the pistol, the bill of sale from 1983 and what looks like all of the paperwork. I did not find a tool kit and as a novice S&W guy, I don't know if all the revolvers came with one. She does not remember ever firing the gun and it does appear unfired. There is a small scratch above the trigger that I have tried to picture. I would love to own this pistol, but I need a fair price so that she can get the best market value. SN is M1699XXTIA
[/IMG][/IMG][/IMG]
Model 34-1 Package price check
- Thread starter antique41
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Twiki357
Member
I would put the value at $650 to $700 in the condition you describe. With the box and papers, it could even higher.
For what you describe, $700 is probably the low end. Another hundred would not put it out of reach. And yes, there should be a tool kit.
A couple points of clarity, since your pictures are not showing up - does it have the 2" or 4" barrel? Is the grip frame a round or square butt?
A couple points of clarity, since your pictures are not showing up - does it have the 2" or 4" barrel? Is the grip frame a round or square butt?
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Antique41:
Welcome to the Forum. In my opinion the only thing better than a Model 34 is a Model 63 (same revolver, but made in stainless steel). The nickel finish - if from the factory can be a plus. Note: if the piece was nickeled at the factory, you should see an "N" stamped on the rear of the cylinder, as well as on the grip frame (beneath the grips). You can also check the box label as it will tell you if the finish is nickeled.
I cannot see enough details in your photos, and the scratch above the trigger makes me a bit nervous. If she gives you permission, I'd try to lightly buff the scratch with an old t-shirt and a very mild abrasive like Mother's Mag polish to see how deep the scratch is. If very superficial, I'd probably be interested in buying it. If deeper - not so much as once that nickel plating starts to go, that's it.
A tool kit should have been included from the factory. Model 34s tend to be pricey, and can be difficult to find. If the scratch proves to be inconsequential, then $700.00 - $850.00 would be ballpark, in my opinion.
Good luck,
Dave
Welcome to the Forum. In my opinion the only thing better than a Model 34 is a Model 63 (same revolver, but made in stainless steel). The nickel finish - if from the factory can be a plus. Note: if the piece was nickeled at the factory, you should see an "N" stamped on the rear of the cylinder, as well as on the grip frame (beneath the grips). You can also check the box label as it will tell you if the finish is nickeled.
I cannot see enough details in your photos, and the scratch above the trigger makes me a bit nervous. If she gives you permission, I'd try to lightly buff the scratch with an old t-shirt and a very mild abrasive like Mother's Mag polish to see how deep the scratch is. If very superficial, I'd probably be interested in buying it. If deeper - not so much as once that nickel plating starts to go, that's it.
A tool kit should have been included from the factory. Model 34s tend to be pricey, and can be difficult to find. If the scratch proves to be inconsequential, then $700.00 - $850.00 would be ballpark, in my opinion.
Good luck,
Dave
Thanks for clarification on the barrel, butt and finish.
It should look like this:
It should look like this:
BigGman243
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2015
- Messages
- 16
- Reaction score
- 24
Correct me if I am wrong but shouldn't that box be gray instead of blue for a nickel gun?
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Hi Antique41:
I received your PM, and have reviewed your added photos of the Model 34 you are interested in. Okay, so what you apparently have is a round butt, Model 34 with factory nickel finish, original grips, factory box and documents. From your photos, it looks like the piece has been fired very little, if at all. I am assuming the bore checks out okay.
Regarding the scratch you noted above the trigger. I would probably leave it alone with the exception of applying a couple of coats of paste wax to the revolver (minus the grips).
From your original post, it appears you are trying to do the right thing - help out an old lady by giving her fair market price for her revolver - you are to be commended for this. I did a search on one of the online firearm auction sites to look at completed sales for a similar/same Model 34 without any luck.
Given the information and photos you have provided, I'm still comfortable with my initial price recommendation of $700.00 - $850.00. If it were me, I'd offer her $750.00 and think that would be a very fair and reasonable offer. By the way, I'd also ask if she has any accessories or ammo to go with the piece.
Good luck and please let us know how this works out.
Regards,
Dave
I happily paid $800 for the one shown in Post #6 about a year ago. So there's your ballpark. So, to put it another way, I'm in agreement with Double-O-Dave.
cherrypointmarine
Member
If I was you, and since you are doing all this helping, I would ask if you could pay her over time. I would try anything to get that in my collection.
I sold a NIB 2" Nickel Square Butt back in January of this year. It had all the correct papers, tool kit and number matching box. The buyer was happy to pull nine $100 bills out of his pocket. The little buggers are pricey.
Class III
Class III
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Yes, and there also a lot of fun to shoot. I introduced my son to handguns through falling plate matches which we shot with my Ruger Mk-II target pistol. I really wanted to use my Model 34-1 in the matches, but decided to stay with the Ruger Mk-II for the sake of consistency and simplicity.
Regards,
Dave
