New to Me S&W 34-1 Any idea the year? What do you think about it?

Joe.G · January 10, 2023, 07:51 PM

Hi, I Got this S&W 34-1 today, I picked it up as a practice gun for my kids. The grips that came with definitely are not meant for this gun, I did pick up a set of Sile Grips. Any links to the correct grips for the gun?

Any Idea on the year it was produced? Serial # M465**

General idea on condition and value?

Any other facts about these guns?

Thank you

https://www.ebay.com/itm/372097391830

Joe.G · January 10, 2023, 07:53 PM

Some more.

Joe.G · January 10, 2023, 07:54 PM

I am not sure if I am posting the pictures correctly.

Joe.G · January 10, 2023, 07:55 PM

Last One.

mk70ss · January 10, 2023, 08:27 PM

EBay has many grips. Just look for S&W J Frame round butt grips.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16587206358...mis&media=COPY

RoyceP · January 10, 2023, 11:25 PM

These are probably the original style for that Kit Gun:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17556019099...Bk9SR8jljvGzYQ

jar · January 11, 2023, 08:00 AM

Here is my 1966 34-1 Kit gun with the original grips serial numbered to the revolver.

**Mike Irwin** · January 11, 2023, 08:20 AM

Your gun was made pre 1983 or so, as evidenced by the pinned barrel.

I don't have my books right now, but my gut tells me that your Kit Gun was made in the late 1960s or early 1970s.

What has me perplexed, though, is the weird markings on the right side of the grip frame. It looks like milling machine chatter, but I've never seen anything quite like it.

MC 1911 · January 11, 2023, 09:53 AM

Somewhere between 1970 - 1973

burrhead · January 11, 2023, 12:05 PM

Price is very location dependent. In my neck of the woods I'd say value, with the grips it's wearing now, is $500 or so. $550+ with proper grips.

jcj54 · January 11, 2023, 02:07 PM

Are definitely milling cutter chatter. A clear sign the cutter is getting dull.

HKGuns · January 11, 2023, 03:26 PM

Based on your serial number I would say it was produced in 1972.

As of 2018

NIB: $756
Ex: $408
Gd: $305

Armybrat · January 11, 2023, 09:51 PM

Nice little .22.

Joe.G · January 11, 2023, 10:50 PM

I didn't even notice the Chatter until you guy's pointed it out.

Joe.G · January 13, 2023, 04:12 PM

On the S&W Forum another Member pointed out that the screws were in the wrong location, I have moved them and I think they are correct now.

There was one flat and then 2 round, the round were not threaded all the way to the tip, both appeared the same.

I was hoping that was going to be the issues with the Grip, They are comfortable but they are not tight on the back strap where they meet there is a gap, I can squeeze them together but they don't stay.

Joe.G · January 13, 2023, 04:14 PM

2 More

MC 1911 · January 13, 2023, 06:40 PM

Does the grip screw bottom out or get tight. I've had a similar issue with same type of grips and using a shorter screw pulled them tight.

Drm50 · January 13, 2023, 08:03 PM

I’d give $400 and make $200-$250 on that 34.

HKGuns · January 13, 2023, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe.G

On the S&W Forum another Member pointed out that the screws were in the wrong location, I have moved them and I think they are correct now.

There was one flat and then 2 round, the round were not threaded all the way to the tip, both appeared the same.

I was hoping that was going to be the issues with the Grip, They are comfortable but they are not tight on the back strap where they meet there is a gap, I can squeeze them together but they don't stay.

I didn’t notice that detail from your pics but it’s pretty obvious now when I look.

Looks like you got the flat one in the right spot now.

The one with the tit goes all the way to the forward end to catch the yoke and hold the cylinder in place.

Joe.G · January 14, 2023, 07:29 AM

So I did swap them and the cylinder was tight when opening I did pull both round heads out and they appear the same, I just tightened the yoke one and then backed it off a hair and everything seems to feel correct now.

January 10, 2023, 08:27 PM	#5
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	EBay has many grips. Just look for S&W J Frame round butt grips. https://www.ebay.com/itm/16587206358...mis&media=COPY __________________ Say when.....

January 11, 2023, 08:20 AM	#8
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Your gun was made pre 1983 or so, as evidenced by the pinned barrel. I don't have my books right now, but my gut tells me that your Kit Gun was made in the late 1960s or early 1970s. What has me perplexed, though, is the weird markings on the right side of the grip frame. It looks like milling machine chatter, but I've never seen anything quite like it. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 11, 2023, 12:05 PM	#10
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	Price is very location dependent. In my neck of the woods I'd say value, with the grips it's wearing now, is $500 or so. $550+ with proper grips. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

January 11, 2023, 02:07 PM	#11
jcj54 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 218	Marks on right side of grip frame Are definitely milling cutter chatter. A clear sign the cutter is getting dull.

January 10, 2023, 11:25 PM	#6
RoyceP Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2020 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 234	These are probably the original style for that Kit Gun: https://www.ebay.com/itm/17556019099...Bk9SR8jljvGzYQ

January 11, 2023, 09:53 AM	#9
MC 1911 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 373	Somewhere between 1970 - 1973

January 11, 2023, 03:26 PM	#12
HKGuns Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2005 Location: Bora Bora Posts: 932	Based on your serial number I would say it was produced in 1972. As of 2018 NIB: $756 Ex: $408 Gd: $305

January 11, 2023, 10:50 PM	#14
Joe.G Member Join Date: April 4, 2022 Posts: 31	I didn't even notice the Chatter until you guy's pointed it out.

January 13, 2023, 06:40 PM	#17
MC 1911 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 373	Does the grip screw bottom out or get tight. I've had a similar issue with same type of grips and using a shorter screw pulled them tight.

January 13, 2023, 08:03 PM	#18
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,381	I’d give $400 and make $200-$250 on that 34.

January 14, 2023, 07:29 AM	#20
Joe.G Member Join Date: April 4, 2022 Posts: 31	So I did swap them and the cylinder was tight when opening I did pull both round heads out and they appear the same, I just tightened the yoke one and then backed it off a hair and everything seems to feel correct now.