Value please, Pre 34 Mod of 1953 22/32 kit gun 4 screw flat latch

[fish hunter]

Hello all, I am considering selling this kit gun, No box but s/n matching diamond stocks s/n183xx puts it 1954-55 per S&W catalog. Shows no abuse just normal wear on sharp edges, I rate VG for its age. Very tight and all functions as should be. I will attempt to attach a pic. Thanks to all who respond.

 

[22hipower]

Looks pretty nice, better condition I think than the one I have which is a few thousand SNs earlier than yours. Without box/papers I'd guess $600-$700 where I shop. It would probably be tagged $795ish and negotiate from there. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[cmansguns]

$700 minimum around central VA

I would agree with $700 to $950 as yours appears in sweet condition. The Model 34-1 shows up occasionally around here but the $700 tagged ones are really rough in my opinion.

I've owned several over the years and the ones from the 70's seem to have undersized chambers such that they require just a tad of reaming to load and extract without sticking. I've never had this issue with any K22 Masterpieces, Outdoorsman, but did experience it on several M34 and even a 1972 Model 17-3.

30 minutes work with a Manson 22LR finishing reamer took care of all that and they all shoot great and are enjoyable by all again. Seems to me that S&W factory was cranking out so many 22LR models during the 70's that maybe the factory let the reaming tooling get a tad dull before changing resulting in these "tight chamber" guns to get out the door.

My February 1975 Model 34-1 is classic example...the before pic shows the fired cases as far as they will go by just inserting by hand...you can push with thumb all the way but they won't extract without serious force. The after pic is same cases and all the reamer took out is basically very small "angel hair" and mostly "dust".

If you are serious about selling your very nice looking example, please list on the Forum here and give us guys (and gals) a shot at it.