Found this shooter grade 1917 at a recent gun show. As you can see it has a poor reblue on it and the cylinder and ejection rod are plum in color. However, the mechanics are excellent and bore just about mint. My original though was to have the barrel cut down and make this a snubby. But it is a first year 1917, serial number 47XX. I am not sure if I want to cut the barrel of a first year 1917, despite my lust for a snubby in 45 ACP.
Cost was only 300.00 bucks out the door, grips are not numbered to the revolver.

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OGCA Member.

That cylinder could easily be redone to match the frame for not a lot of scheckels.

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Dick

I thought the same thing, but as it is a shooter I don't know if I'll bother. If I do decide to cut the barrel I'll have the cylinder reblued.

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OGCA Member.

I would leave it alone. Why mess up an early one like that?

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Dick

Nice score there!

I would really like to build a Fitz Special with one myself but I would not a first yr. actual U.S. D.A. .45, No way!

I have a Brazilian and it may find itself reconfigured but I would hold out for a Brazilian to shorten if I had a actual U.S. 1917

Are the U.S. Property and ordnance inspector stamps etc. still decent after the reblue? I probably would restore if possible, I realize it is not near as valuable collector wise but better than not having one any way.

Another thought may be to trade it for a snubbed one already

just my .02 Cents

Congrats on the find

Wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

-2Sigs

Wow you did good, I would have torn my pocket clean off getting at my dough for that one.
Go and shoot it and then see what you think!!!!!
I would not shorten the barrel on that one, Unless you find another barrel and can put it back to normal, And even then I would stop and think and go and find a Jovino model 25-2 and be happy!
I too lust after a 3" or so 45 acp Wheel gun,,, But it would not be that one!
Peter

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Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special

It does not have the US Property under the barrel, but does have an ordnance mark on the top of the left side plate,it's very faded from the reblue. I really don't plan to cut the barrel on this one, just could not bring myself to do it. May send it to Dave Chicoine in the future, he's restoring a 2nd Model hand ejector for me now.

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OGCA Member.

Muddyboot,

You are correct that is a very early gun. It has the desirable early grooved hammer. It should also have the GHS in a circle on the left side of the frame just in front of the hammer but it isn't visible in your pictures. It was probably removed in the polishing before the reblue. I see that there isn't a swivel either so I wonder if the military markings and serial number were removed from the butt and other places. The presence or absence of the serial number on the butt may very well determine what you do with this gun.

The grips are of a later date than the gun (the correct grips for this gun would be the concave, smooth, non-medallion ones).

Whether or not you have the barrel shortened and then refinish the gun is your choice at this point. As you said, it is now just a "shooter" since it has already been poorly refinished, even though it is a first year gun. Usually, guns which have been seriously modified (i.e. customized as you proposed) won't return the investment when sold. In this case, however, since you acquired it at a reasonable price, and snub nosed large caliber guns seem to be gaining in popularity, the gun might find a significant market if the modifications are well done.

Bob

Bob
You are correct, the GHS is there but faded, due to blue and polishing. I can only make out an (M) on the bottom of the strap just above the swivel hole, all other military marks are gone, however the serial number is still easy to read. It does look like the bottom strap was heavily polished.

Still don't think I'll cut this one's barrel, I'll find a Brazilian some day for that. Had a Forum member offer me a decent Brazilian at the last gun show, but I was out cash due to buying an M-1 Carbine.

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OGCA Member.

Nice find, indeed. Way too good to chop, as you have concluded. My sole '17 is a good shooter with American Eagle 230 jacketed.

Neat idea to consider having it restored, even to have the cylinder, etc. redone. So long as provenance clear.

Best of luck,

Dyson

This is from a new guy on the forum, but an old guy still playing with guns. When I first started messing with guns it was considered the norm to get used military weapons and "sporterize" them. Everybody wants to cut your head off if you do that now, but this is my rule of thumb. If the gun is 60% or less in quality then it is fair game to modify. I have a case that might be of interest to some of the members and I'm sure I'm going to get chastized by some or maybe most of them. Back 20 or so years ago I bought a Colt Model 1917 from a hardware store. The clerk told me it was chambered in .45 LC but as soon as I looked it over it was obvious it was in .45 ACP. It was in about 60% condition because of the finish (well worn) and the grips (someone had worked on them with a machetti) . but cylinder,the bore and lockup were pristeen. I paid $150.00 for it and headed out the door. I have a friend that does absoulutly beautiful work on restoring guns, and I do a halfbaked job on stockwork. So this gun became our project gun. I am attaching some photos (poorly taken) to show you the finished product. I is still a "shooter grade" gun as it always was but it is a lot prettier. The blue is perfect (although it doesn't look it in the photos) and most people that see it want to buy it. It's still a 60% gun but I love it and it shoots great although a little high and a tad to the right. Just my two cents worth.
SOUPY in Tennessee

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Muddy, if I'd seen that gun for that price I'd have bought it too...and I'd still be smiling.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Dave
No complaints about the price, try to find a revolver this well made today at 300.00 dollars, can't be done.

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OGCA Member.

I have a Brazilian 1917 that I had reblued and the cylinder also came out that plum color. Maybe the cylinder is a different hardness.

Me 2. ____

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You're shy a few manners.

I woulda paid 300 bucks for the 1917 in a heartbeat.....and laughed all the way home....
I gotta tell ya, I wouldn't have any qualms about shortening the barrel, whatever collector value it had is gone now unfortunately, and keeping it like it is, or re-refinishing it won't help at all....