This particular radio was sold on August 5th, 1941. Just 4 months before the U.S. was drawn into WWII. To create the 34X, RCA performed some quick modifications to one of their standard AM table radio designs which allowed it to receive the shortwave band (SW).
Listening to international news broadcasts regarding the war already raging in Europe was almost a necessity, making radios that included the SW band highly desirable.
It's easy to tell that the design changes were an afterthought with this radio, as the AM/SW band switch is located in the rear, and it's not even labeled.
