Model 34 Followed Me Home

[Fredo Batali]

Yesterday afternoon I stopped into a LGS I rarely visit because their prices are sky high and the owner has a reputation for being a jerk. I'm looking around and boxes are everywhere, things being packed up. I take a look in the case and see this guy in a holster. I ask to see it and it's in great shape. I tell the owner I'll take it. He says we have to ship it to another dealer, we're moving to Spokane tomorrow. Kind of happy I stopped in on a whim. $499.99 plus tax OTD. It's in great shape and locks up tight and it's a flat latch. Only had time to take a quick cell phone pic. SN 351XX puts in 1959 there about. Right place at the right time

 

[dmthomp32]

Great purchase but also a great deal. A nice 34 like that for $500, I would have done the same thing!

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[JP@AK]

1958 or 1959 - either is possible.

Here are some representative serial numbers. As you can see, they can run higher in '58 than you might think:

32230 - January, 1958 (not model marked)
35796 - January, 1959 (model marked)
38354 - January, 1959 (model marked)
38926 - January, 1959 (model marked)
39688 - February, 1959 (model marked, square butt)

If I had to guess, I'd say yours is likely from 1958, but you never know without a letter.

Good pickup at that price. Congrats.

Added: I just noticed one more thing. Yours is a square butt example. The one listed above (39688) is the lowest known square butt Model 34 to have shipped. Yours has a lower serial number, so it would be very interesting to know the ship date. Maybe it would turn out to be the lowest square butt number to ship. I'm sure Hondo44 would be interested in knowing that.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Beautiful 34 at a pretty fabulous price!

I have s/n 36051 that is not model marked.

 

[JP@AK]

I have s/n 36051 that is not model marked.

At last count, that was the highest known serial number of the Kit Gun Model of 1953, without a model number.

 

[rjm6120]

Extremely nice gun and an "I can't possibly pass that up" price!