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  #1  
Old 10-22-2009, 11:49 PM
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Arrow Pawn Shop Colt 1917 (Update 01/06/2010, page 2, with pics)

This Colt 1917 (manufactured cir. 1919) started out life as a typical Military Colt revolver. It came from a pawn shop in Columbus, OH.
The Colt was a real beater. It could barely function, and was determined to be unsafe to shoot. It was nothing more than a "wall hanger", but the revolver was solid, which made it a perfect candidate for a project gun.

I sent the Colt 1917 off to Dave Sams Sams Custom Gunworks LLC with a list of things I wanted done to the revolver. Mr. Sams said he could do it, and agreed to take on the project.

Here is what was done to the revolver. Revolver sent to Dave Sams 04/22/2009. Received back 10/22/2009.
*Tech inspection
*Build up & re-fit bolt (rebound lever contact)
*Build up & re-fit rebound lever
*Re-fit ratchet
*Install crane ball detent
*Re-time cylinder hand
*Build up & re-fit bolt (cylinder stop contact)
*Cut & re-crown barrel to 2"
*Install Colt style "half-moon" front sight & calibrate
*Shorten ejector rod & re-thread
*Action job. Smooth, polish, lighten, single & double action
*Make oversized cylinder latch & ream frame
*Straighten bent ejector rod
*Re-finish satin matte blue

The pawn Shop Colt 1917 is now good to go for another 100 years!
Now the search is on for a holster.

Before pictures:


After pictures:





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Last edited by whitecoyote; 01-06-2010 at 11:03 PM.
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  #2  
Old 10-22-2009, 11:57 PM
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Wow, did that clean up nice! That is one serious belly gun. I like that you left the lanyard loop on--for some reason it makes it look even more business-like.
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  #3  
Old 10-22-2009, 11:58 PM
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Default By golly...

...You can make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

That's an amazing transformation.
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  #4  
Old 10-23-2009, 12:08 AM
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WOW!!!!! [Lust ON]
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  #5  
Old 10-23-2009, 12:14 AM
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Have you chronographed that snub .45? I've always been curious about bullet speeds from such short barrels in .45.

And why build up all those parts instead of just replace and fit new ones? GI parts are sometimes still available, I think. Unless the areas where the parts fit were worn, this seems to be to be extra money for the gunsmith.

In his 1960 book, "Handgunner's Guide", Chic Gaylord showed a very similar gun owned by a Detective Gano in NYC. But I think it was made from a .45 Colt New Service.

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  #6  
Old 10-23-2009, 12:15 AM
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Very, very nice! Congratulations to you, and thanks for posting those photos: It's always nice to see the work of a true craftsman! :-)
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  #7  
Old 10-23-2009, 06:59 AM
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WOW, you'd never know it was the same gun!
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  #8  
Old 10-23-2009, 07:04 AM
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Well, didn't that turn out nice.

I held that gun in its original form, it was a wreck, "unsafe" was a kind description.

Great work.

Dave
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  #9  
Old 10-23-2009, 07:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 45wheelgun View Post
Well, didn't that turn out nice.

I held that gun in its original form, it was a wreck, "unsafe" was a kind description.

Great work.

Dave
Dave,
Thanks for tipping me off to the Colt!
I knew it had a lot of potential.

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  #10  
Old 10-23-2009, 07:59 AM
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Cool

I can't even guess at how many hours of labor went into that truly amazing transformation.

I like the lanyard ring, too.

But, I think it still needs a nice set of grips, to finish the truly amazing transformation.

Or are you keeping the old grips, as a 'reminder' of this wonderful piece of craftsmanship's humble(!) beginnings?

If you reload, you can improve on factory ammunition velocity, by using some of the faster burning powders. But, if that ammunition was used in an older revolver with a4" or 6" barrel, the pressure may be dangerous.

I have a 2 1/2 , 4 and 6 inch 686's; (all pre lock, with beautiful factory wood; the 2 1/2" is a 686-1, and the others are 686-3's) and each has a few boxes of ammunition optimized for the different barrel lengths.
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  #11  
Old 10-23-2009, 10:15 AM
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I love it!

If you ever have a hankering to trade it for a nice Model 58, lemme know.
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Last edited by sigp220.45; 10-23-2009 at 04:40 PM.
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  #12  
Old 10-23-2009, 11:30 AM
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Nice gun!
I have a S&W 1917 in need of some major work.
My gun has some of the same needs yours had.
You wouldn't have a price list on the things you had done you could send me do you?
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  #13  
Old 10-24-2009, 08:22 AM
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I have a 1917 Colt. I really like the looks of yours. Great work.
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  #14  
Old 10-24-2009, 08:46 AM
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Very, Very, nice indeed! I like the original grips. Good Colt gunsmiths are not hiding behind every bush.
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  #15  
Old 11-04-2009, 12:59 PM
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Man, that looks great!!
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  #16  
Old 01-06-2010, 11:01 PM
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Default Update 01/06/2010

Since posting this thread there has been some updates to the Colt.
I added Elk Horn grips from Patrick Grashorn Home
WyattBurp made the holster, and I'm still waiting on the Tyler T grip.



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  #17  
Old 01-06-2010, 11:29 PM
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Well dang you! Now I'm going to have to contact Patrick for a copy of stag for mine.

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  #18  
Old 01-06-2010, 11:55 PM
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Those are very nice, and that's a nice looking holster too.

Now can I ask a question? Will a fired case completely clear the cylinder with the shortened ejector rods? Just curious.
Thanks
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  #19  
Old 01-06-2010, 11:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jellybean View Post
Those are very nice, and that's a nice looking holster too.

Now can I ask a question? Will a fired case completely clear the cylinder with the shortened ejector rods? Just curious.
Thanks
Yes, with the moon clips, hit the ejector rod, and the casings "pop" right out.
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  #20  
Old 04-28-2010, 01:46 PM
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very good job
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  #21  
Old 04-28-2010, 11:43 PM
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Good job recognizing a "diamond in the rough", it turned out awesome...
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686, colt, detective, detent, ejector, gunsmith, lock, military, snubnose, stag

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