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1050 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  iaboy
Hello. I'm an avid gun guy and I really love firearms. Particularly antique guns.

I recently came into possession of an old S&W revolver with the box. The box says that it's a model 34-1 22/32 "kit gun."
However, it doesn't really match up with the kit gun description. Every kit gun I've seen has wooden grips, an adjustable rear sight, and are chambered in 22 caliber.

This specific revolver is blued, has a 2 or 2 and a half inch barrel, hard black rubber grips, and says "32 long ctg" on the barrel. It has a swing out cylinder and is in double action. The serial number is "12624" and is located on the bottom of the grip and the cylinder. I don't even know if it's for black powder cartridges or not.

Sorry for the long post! I just really would like some help identifying this piece.

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Hello welcome to the forum. I believe your gun fires the SW 32 long cartridge smokeless powder. It's only a 2 grain charge at the most and very low pressure. I load and shoot a H&R 32 SW long. You have yourself i nice vintage firearm there.:thumbsup:
Greetings and Salutations.

Your revolver was made between 1960 and 1968.


"Model numbers were assigned to all Smith & Wesson handguns in 1957, and the 22/32 Kit Gun became known as the Model 34. The I-frame was replaced by the J-frame in 1960; the primary difference being a larger cylinder window to make room for a longer cylinder that could accept .38 Special cartridges. Though this didn’t directly impact the Model 34, it followed with the J-frame to simplify the line."

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2018/2/8/a-look-back-at-the-smith-wesson-2232-kit-gun/
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Welcome from NJ!
Welcome from NW Iowa!
Your welcome. Enjoy your new classic. Ammo will probably be found at a gun shop. Not a big box store. I found this out when i bought mine. After sticker shock of the price of ammo i ordered dies to load my own lol.
It was said that it only takes a 2 grain powder charge maximum. Obviously, this depends upon the powder. Some people like fast burning powders like Bullseye. I personally don't. However, for something a little slower and more universal like Unique about 3 grains is near max. It's an old limited cartridge. Come to think of it, I'm kinda old and limited.

BTW: Welcome from Arizona.
I have some 97 grain fiocchi ammo. Is this safe?
Yep it will be fine.
Yeah i might be closer to 2.5-3 grains of powder too. Sorry for any confusion.
Sorry, the BOX might have been from that era, but that gun and grip are a lot older than the 60s

Does it day 34-1 inside the crane of the cylinder? If not, then the box does not match the gun

How many screws? 3, 4 or 5?
barrel length is measured from the muzzle end to the forcing cone.
From the 3rd edition of the Standard S&W Catalog it appears to be a I frame 32 hand Ejector, 1st model from the grips and knurled knob on the ejector rod and serial number.

Is that serial number from the bottom of the butt?

If that is right, the gun was made from 1896-1903
Added, what are the patent dates on the gun? IF I am right and it is that old, do not shoot hot loads as the heat treating wasn't in effect until the late 20s, so old low powered standard loads are best.
Welcome from Texas.

I was intrigued by the html code, and it translates to:

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Howdy from KY.
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