Model 34 Gunshow Find-Need Help Please

[kemper]

I bought this Model 34 no dash at a gunshow this weekend of a whim from a niceolder gentlemen that had a rolling leather brief case with this model 34, a LNIB Model 17, a LNIB Model 41, a Colt Viper and a LNIB High Standard Victor.

I need some help/info please
I Paid $400 cash. No box

The serial number is 6401X
It is a model 34 no dash with a flat latch
2 inch barrel and nickel plated.
Timing and lockup are good
Appears to be a square butt and don't think grips are original

Is it an I frame or a J frame ?
Did I pay too much?
Are the nickel plated and 2 inch model 34 revolvers more or less common?

Thanks in advance for your assistance

 

[Muley Gil]

The S&W stamp looks a little weak. Do you have a picture of the other side?

 

[kemper]

Pic of right side

Hope this helps

 

[alwaysoutdoors]

Looks like a clean little model 34 snubby.

 

[H Richard]

You got a pretty good buy at that price. Provided all the mechanics are fine. The left side sort of looked like it might have been re-nickled, but the right side looks original for what I can see in these pictures. The stocks are not original, that number puts it about in the middle of the production run, probably in the early to mid 70's.

 

[loeman]

It is really difficult to tell much from your photos. Post better pics and answers will be coming. You are correct, the grips are not original, but they may be an asset. Also, a 2 inch Md 34 is very desirable, but in all honesty, I'd have been all over the LNIB MD 17 and 41 and Victor (depending on prices). And yes, it is a J frame. The Md 17 is a frame. Do you recall the price for the 17 and 41?

 

[kemper]

Thanks

Looks like a clean little model 34 snubby.

Any idea if it is an I frame or a J frame ?
Did I pay too much?
Are the nickel plated and 2 inch model 34 revolvers more or less common?


I like the little revolver regardless.
For a snubbie it is surprisingly accurate

 

[kemper]

flat latch ?

You got a pretty good buy at that price. Provided all the mechanics are fine. The left side sort of looked like it might have been re-nickled, but the right side looks original for what I can see in these pictures. The stocks are not original, that number puts it about in the middle of the production run, probably in the early to mid 70's.

I figured the flat latch and 6401X serial number would put it in late 50's or early 60's, but don't really know

 

[kemper]

Model 17 & Model 41

It is really difficult to tell much from your photos. Post better pics and answers will be coming. You are correct, the grips are not original, but they may be an asset. Also, a 2 inch Md 34 is very desirable, but in all honesty, I'd have been all over the LNIB MD 17 and 41 and Victor (depending on prices). And yes, it is a J frame. The Md 17 is a frame. Do you recall the price for the 17 and 41?

He wanted $800 for the Model 17. It was a 1972 production year revolver.
I already have a really nice Model 17 revolver and a Model 18 revolver with target grips, target trigger and target hammer so really didn't need or want the model 17

He wanted $1500 for the Model 41

I got his number from him.
He is local to my location in case I want to buy any of the others

 

[kemper]

You are correct, the grips are not original, but they may be an asset. Also, a 2 inch Md 34 is very desirable

Why would the grips not being original be an asset ?
Thanks in advance for your opinion and help

 

[Hondo44]

You didn't pay too much, even if re-plated or plated over blue.

I can't say for sure with those photos if it's been nickeled or re-nickeled, it has signs of it having been. But if so, it's a very decent job. A nickel factory finish is less common than blue.

The lower middle side plate screw is a flat head replacement, but should be a domed head like the lower front screw. Only the far rear screw should be flat which it is.

It's a New Model I frame introduced in 1953 which was replaced by the J frame Oct 1960 when it became the model 34-1.

I frames stamped Mod 34 were produced beginning in 1958 but were shipped clear into 1963 even though no longer made after ordered for replacement with the J frame in 1960. They were shipped from inventory concurrently with the J frame Mode 34-1 for a couple of years.

The 2" with square butt is fairly scarce during that period. The grips are after market plastic imitation stag, not factory. They would only be an asset if they were genuine Sambar Stag.

You found a great little shooter for a good price; they have a little more desirability than the J frames. Enjoy!

 

[kemper]

Factory Grips

You didn't pay too much, even if re-plated or plated over blue.

I can't say for sure with those photos if it's been nickeled or re-nickeled, it has signs of it having been. But if so, it's a very decent job. A nickel factory finish is less common than blue.

The lower middle side plate screw is a flat head replacement, but should be a domed head like the lower front screw. Only the far rear screw should be flat which it is.

It's a New Model I frame introduced in 1953 which was replaced by the J frame Oct 1960 when it became the model 34-1.

I frames stamped Mod 34 were produced beginning in 1958 but were shipped clear into 1963 even though no longer made after ordered for replacement with the J frame in 1960. They were shipped from inventory concurrently with the J frame Mode 34-1 for a couple of years.

The 2" with square butt is fairly scarce during that priod. The grips are after market plastic imitation stag, not factory. They would only be an asset if they were genuine Sambar Stag.

You found a great little shooter for a good price; they have a little more desirability than the J frames. Enjoy!

Thanks so much for the info.
I will try to get some better pics posted.
So I need to look for factory square "I" frame grips ?

I would prefer some period correct wood factory grips

 

[Engine49guy]

The SB Model 34 used the same stocks as the SB J frame,
IMO Checkered Walnut Magna stocks with the diamond center would be the correct style for your Model 34 like the ones pictured below .

 

[loeman]

He wanted $800 for the Model 17. It was a 1972 production year revolver.
I already have a really nice Model 17 revolver and a Model 18 revolver with target grips, target trigger and target hammer so really didn't need or want the model 17

He wanted $1500 for the Model 41

I got his number from him.
He is local to my location in case I want to buy any of the others

Well since the grips are plastic, I guess they are defineily not an asset. I don't like stag grips at all, so I just don't know, but I do know from reading this forum that quality stag grips are highly sought after, but not by me.

 

[Muley Gil]

I would date this .22 LR to 1960.

 

[colt_saa]

You got a good buy on a great little revolver. No deed to second guess yourself

From the pictures that appears to be a refinished revolver. The nickel was not done by S&W.

The over polishing on the logo is not the only tell, the hammer and trigger appear to be plated as well. The hammer and trigger would have been left color case hardened if it was refinished at the factory.

 

[KEN L]

I bought this Model 34 no dash at a gunshow this weekend of a whim from a niceolder gentlemen that had a rolling leather brief case with this model 34, a LNIB Model 17, a LNIB Model 41, a Colt Viper and a LNIB High Standard Victor.

I need some help/info please
I Paid $400 cash. No box

The serial number is 6401X
It is a model 34 no dash with a flat latch
2 inch barrel and nickel plated.
Timing and lockup are good
Appears to be a square butt and don't think grips are original

Is it an I frame or a J frame ?
Did I pay too much?
Are the nickel plated and 2 inch model 34 revolvers more or less common?

Thanks in advance for your assistance

That serial number is most likely from the latter part of 1962, probably Sep - Dec time frame. It appears to have been re-finished. Sharper pictures should tell the story. Great price though, even if re-finished.

 

[kemper]

Grips on Model 34

I took the grips off this model 34 revolver & discovered
wood under what I believe to be faux stag (plastic)
Is this common ?
I have seen many plastic grips, but never
plastic overlay on top of wood.
Any info would be appreciated.
BTW, I am impressed with how accurate this
Snub nosed revolver shoots

 

[Hondo44]

Yes, some after market grip makers do that so the plastic grips don't break if tightened too much. Jay Scott is one of those brands.