I have inherited a S&W 1917 Military from my late grandfather. It does not have the original grips and I would like to return it to the original condition. Here is my problem, The serial number is in the 18,000 range and I have seen in the Blue Book of gun values that guns under serial #15,000 had concentric grooved hammers. I have also seen a posting on this site of a S&W factory letter stating that serial numbers of 25,000 and below had the concentric hammers. I wanted to see if my gun was one of those with the concentric groove hammers as I needed to put original grips on it and did not know if I needed the concave grips or the smooth grips. I had read that the guns with the concentric groove hammers used the concave grips. I have looked at many pictures of these guns at all serial number ranges and cannot see any difference in the hammers. Mine appear smooth and when I contacted an expert on early S&W, he did not know of any concentric groove hammers in early versions of the 1917. As far as I can tell my gun is all original with matching numbers so to say the least I am totally confused. I have edited this post to include some information brought to my attention. The gun has the GHS in a circle markings on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have added a couple of pictures of my gun that are located a couple of replies down.

Welcome to the Forum.

Either style grips would probably be correct for your revolver, as the change over was going on at this time. The convex style will be easier to find.

Please be aware that grips were fitted to each individual revolver and the ones that you find may not be a perfect fit.

It appears that your "S&W expert" needs to do some more reading.

You are very fortunate to have a family heirloom like that.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Magmax,

Congratulations on having your grandfather's old M1917. They are great old guns with a lot of history behind them. Also, let me extend a welcome to you to the Forum. Please join in and become a part of it. There is lots to learn here from many fine folks.

Regarding your questions: The serial numbers which you mention are estimates. Smith & Wesson did not ship guns in serial number sequence so we find guns with late numbers shipping years before earlier numbers. What we do know is that the concentric grooved hammers were discontinued in early 1918 and the concave grips were replaced a few weeks later. When we speak of the grooved hammer, we are referring to one which has finely machined concentric grooves on the sides. Once you see one, you will certainly recognize it. The only way to know for sure when your gun shipped and consequently how it was originally stocked, would be to get a factory letter on it.

One other thing that you might check is the marking on the left side of the frame just in front of the hammer. In the early guns it was a circle with the initials "GHS" (for inspector Gilbert H. Stewart) in a circle. That mark was replaced around April, 1918 with the Ordinance Dept. acceptance mark of a "flaming bomb".

Bob

I can't add anything technical to what was said in the two outstanding responses above.

I would just like to also welcome you to the Forum, and thank you for starting this thread. I love these threads about military hand ejectors, especially concerning those of pre-1920 manufacture.

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You're shy a few manners.

mine is my favorite revolver!

Magmax:

You found my factory letter that I had posted. I have the earliest known Model 1917 posted here on the forum at serial #45.

.45 Hand Ejector Model 1917 U.S. Army Revolver - Serial #45; Factory Lettered

Your gun should have a concentric groove hammer. Telling the difference is easy. If both sides of the hammer are smooth then its a later production of the Model 1917 which would have the smooth walnut grips. If the hammer has curved cut grooves in both sides then you have the concentric groove hammer which would require the concave walnut grips. With S&W nothing is absolutely certain. Exceptions to the rules can be found. Never rule out the possibilty of the hammer having been replaced.

When Roy did my letter, he obviously wasn't exact on my grips. He stated just smooth walnut grips. Mine still has the original concave walnut grips. If you want to find out for sure, send away for the factory letter. Cost is $50 and usually takes about a month.

Good luck on finding a set or original grips for your gun. The smooth ones will be hard enough. The concave ones are really scarce!

If at all possible could you post some pictures of your gun on your thread and possibly mine?

jsmith

1917 0051111.jpg

1917 0131111.jpg

Here are the photos as suggested of my gun including a close up of the hammer. As you can see these are not the original grips , but are old plastic grips marked S&W cut and mfg. If I can get the correct grips I want to put these up for sale to offset the cost. The hammer appears smooth.

That is a smooth hammer, and a nice example of one too. Nice .45, congratulations.


Cat

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Think for yourself.

Very nice example. Let me know if you want to sell those grips. Oh yea, welcome to the S&W forum.