Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: Model 34, The Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun
Serial Number: 39094
Year of Manufacture: 1957-1960 / C&R
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action or Double Action Revolver with 6 Round Swing-Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4" Pinned with Solid Tapered Rib
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade pinned to the barrel rib. The rear sight is a flat-topped square notched micrometer click sight adjustable for windage and elevation that is screwed to the top strap. The rib and rear sight base are serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut Magna stocks with smooth borders, smooth diamonds, and S&W medallions. There are a couple of minor marks from handling and storage. The checkering is mainly sharp. There are no chips or cracks. There are losses in the edges of the checkering borders. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color hammer and trigger
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered light marks on the barrel and frame. The turn line on the cylinder is intermittent and faint. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. The case colors are vibrant with minor gentle muting in the edges. There is faint intermittent oxidation. There is faint thinning on the ejector rod. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has faint side-to-side play on all six chambers. The double-action trigger is smooth and the single action is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson .22/32 Kit Gun traces its lineage to the company's prewar small-frame target revolvers and was developed as a compact, accurate .22 intended to accompany a hunter, fisherman, or outdoorsman in a field kit. The improved "Model of 1953" version used Smith & Wesson's small I-frame and combined adjustable target sights with a six-shot .22 LR cylinder and compact dimensions. When Smith & Wesson adopted numerical model designations in 1957, the .22/32 Kit Gun became the Model 34; the original I-frame configuration continued until the transition to the larger J-frame around 1960. This early, no-dash Model 34 therefore represents the transitional period between the traditionally named postwar Smith & Wesson revolvers and the numbered-model era collectors recognize today.
This example is especially attractive, retaining approximately 98% of its original blue finish with only minor handling marks, faint oxidation, and a very light intermittent cylinder turn line. The checkered walnut Magna stocks remain in Very Good condition, while the bright 4" bore has sharp rifling and no erosion, rating 10/10. Mechanically, the revolver functions correctly in both double and single action, with a smooth DA pull, crisp SA break, and only faint side-to-side cylinder play. With its early no-dash configuration, 4" barrel, adjustable sights, strong original finish, and excellent bore, this is a fine representative of one of Smith & Wesson's classic small-frame sporting revolvers.
