Need some help... 34-2? Kit Gun?

[elkhunt]

Hey,
I need some help, and my info is a little sketchy. I went to my local pawn shop today and found this little revolver. I could not read the model number on the crane (old eyes and poor light) and he had it marked as a 34-2. It has a flat latch and diamond grips, it had the high screw on the starboard side plate... honestly did not check for a screw under the trigger guard. I am not believing it's a 34-2. It's .22, pinned and recessed, 2" barrel. Any help and do you like the price? It's well worn, some pitting on the butt by the serial # but other than that just a nice old revolver. UPDATED, bought the revolver and added pictures.

 

[crsides]

Do you know the serial number or perhaps a range?
I would guess it is a pre -34, not marked in the yoke area.

Offer $450 ... but by all means buy the gun.

Charlie

 

[Hondo44]

Exactly what you suspected and Charlie posted above.

The 34-2 is the last version of the old ".22/32 Kit Gun" built on the J frame w/o pinned barrel from 1988 thru 1991.

The one shown is the first "Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun" New Model I frame. It's a four screw (no trigger guard screw), went to the 3 screw version in late 1955, and became the Model 34 in June of 1957.

The last four screws were in the 13XXX serial range and were shipped by ~ mid 1955. Looks like a 2" which are even less common in that vintage; most were 4". It's priced right for a 34-2, but it's actually a desirable earlier model in decent collectable condition that generally go for up to $800. So as Charlie suggested see if they'll deal on it but either way, buy it (before the shop sees this post!)

I can pin down the shipping date much closer with your actual serial #.

Here are its 6, and until ~1956 serial # locations:
NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, and an attitude that it is there!

1. Gun butt - or forestrap on I frames/single shots with grips that cover the butt

2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud

3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight

4. Extractor star - backside

5. Cylinder - rear face

6. Right stock only - on back; stamped, scratched or penciled depending on vintage and stock material (yours are stamped).


Enjoy!

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Mr. elkhunt, roll the dice on this one. $499 seems a little steep.
Not outrageous. Try $380 cash on the counter and go from there.
Aint telling you what to do. But Man what a little cutie.
Best of luck.Dont lleave without it. Mike

 

[Rpg]

Put $500 cash on the counter and ask them to pick up the sales tax.

If they won't, add cash to cover the tax and walk out th door with that revolver.

If I knew where it was, it would be gone before you got back to the shop.

 

[elkhunt]

OK, you guys made me do it. It's serial # is 1058x. There is no model number on the crane. It has a grooved trigger, coiled mainspring and the rest is evident from the pictures. Hondo44 I'd love to know it's birthdate and what it's actually called... Kit Gun? Thanks for the interest and help. I posted some glamour shots in the original post if you want to take a peek at it.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. elkhunt, nice snag. If you got it for five that is OK. Im just a frugal old mule trader. Best

 

[elkhunt]

Oh I always make and offer and I got them to drop the price on this one... that's part of the fun.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

That's a great looking flat latch kit gun. Looks like it was used but well cared for. If it's all original you have a wonderful collectors piece. No reason not to shoot and enjoy it yourself though. With proper care it will last another 100 years and won't look too different than it does today.

 

[Skeetr57]

Don't the two cross pins for the firing pin and bushing date it to a small window of time?

 

[KEN L]

Most likely ship date of Feb 1955. I'd buy it!

 

[Hondo44]

OK, you guys made me do it. It's serial # is 1058x. There is no model number on the crane. It has a grooved trigger, coiled mainspring and the rest is evident from the pictures. Hondo44 I'd love to know it's birthdate and what it's actually called... Kit Gun? Thanks for the interest and help. I posted some glamour shots in the original post if you want to take a peek at it.

You probably know Smith did not produce or ship guns in serial # order, but I agree with a 1st quarter of 1955 ship date based on known shipping dates in my database.

My post #3: "Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun" official model name is as advertised and on some box labels, which is built on the New Model I frame. For full details click on the commentaries yellow #3 in the upper right of this post, then choose Post War I frames evolution.

 

[Hondo44]

Don't the two cross pins for the firing pin and bushing date it to a small window of time?

The Model 1953 and Model 34/35 New I frames all have two pins but it's the one flush pin/one proud pin that has the short window.

I could not find this info anywhere so have studied the .22/32 models. The one pin or two pins coincide with two styles of firing pins, round and rectangular respectively at the breech face. With the rectangular style there can be two proud pins, or front pin proud and rear pin flush from the factory.

ROUND FIRING PIN with one retaining pin:
The front single pin retains the firing pin bushing in the recoil shield and the firing pin is a round style including a fully round front striking tip. Used on the Pre war 22/32 Heavy Frame Target, ('30s vintage 22/32 Heavy Target ), 22/32 Kit Guns, and post war transitional Target and Kit Guns. This configuration returned later c. #70000, Oct. 1960 with the J frame introduction.

RETANGULAR FRONT TIP, FLATTENED TOP REAR FIRING PIN with two retaining pins:
The Model of 1953 New I frame is the first post war model change for the 22/32 models and introduced a new rectangular shaped firing pin tip with two proud retaining pins, at first, front for bushing and rear for firing pin.

This rectangular front striking tip style firing pin can be seen with hammer cocked by looking in the hammer channel from the rear at the top of the firing pin. This rear 2nd pin crosses over the flattened rear top of, and retains the firing pin.

The rectangular firing pin with proud front pin and flush rear pin was used beginning c. #21000 (1956) thru c. # 29000, at which time the two proud pins returned. I have observed that the 'bright' blue finish began on the .22/32 in its serial # range in the early to mid 21,000s (1956) and seems to coincide with the flat polishing of the rear retaining pin.

RETURN OF THE ROUND FIRING PIN:
The Pre-1953 round tipped firing pin w/one front retaining pin, was reintroduced c. #70000 Oct. 1960 with the 22/32 J frame introduction of the Models 34 and 35.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Very nice!
I can't recall who was Prez the last time I saw something that nice in a pawnshop.

 

[g8rb8]

Good for you. The pictures look good and the overall condition looks better than you described. Given the price bandied about the last couple of days ($500 or less) the decision to get this was probably somewhere close to a "No-Brainer."