17 No-Dash gun show find.

[Bent-Twig]

Hi Folks,

Was at a gunshow this Saturday morning lugging around a Ruger 22-250 rifle . One of the dealers had an intrest in it at my $550 asking price. He wanted to know if he had anything I would work a trade on.

I had a look at his table and laying there was a beautiful model 17 no-dash with a healthy price of $775 on it. The 17 has barely any sign of wear at all to it. I was getting ZERO interest in my Ruger so I figured it was time to strike a deal.

The Ruger was a deal closer on a truck I was selling a while back so I had no use for it and really didnt have anything in it. The model 17 however is rite up my alley.

He said "make up the difference and lets trade". I told him I would give him 2 crispy $100 dollar bills(which the new ones look like Monopoly money). He accepted the offer and we were both happy.

The little 17 had the wrong grips on it. It had non-diamond targets on it. Knowing that any 4 screw should have diamond stocks , I knew rite away that these were wrong. Lucky for me I had picked up a really nice 14-4 earlier that was sporting diamond magnas(not rite for this gun). Swapped the grips around on the two guns and am a little closer to the correct grips for the pair.

I have a few questions for all of you S&W experts.

First thing is the serial # is K337802. I have searched around and found other numbers close to it that have been dated as 1958. Would this be acorrect guess?

Second is this gun has a target trigger and target hammer. I have looked at many pictures of early 17's and have not seen TT/TH on them. Would this have been a special order? Could this have been someones changes made after leaving the factory?

Third if the TT/TH came from the factory then would it be safe to assume that the 17 would have came with target grips(diamond) rather than magnas(diamond)?

This 17 feels great in the hand and I cant wait to get a little range time with it. Enough rambling and questions , here are a few pictures for ya.

Twig.

[fat tom]

First: yes
Second: possibly and yes
Third: Not necessarily,but possible

f.t.

[stmry]

The no dash 17 is a great .22. Enjoy it, and congratulations.

[Bent-Twig]

Originally Posted by fat tom

First: yes
Second: possibly and yes
Third: Not necessarily,but possible

f.t.

Tom,

Would this be a good candidate for a S&W letter?

Or not rare enough features even if from the factory to warrent the $50 fee?

Twig.

[LEO918]

Gotta' love the gun shows.

[Jebus35745]

Don't think the TT & TH would make this a rare gun. The letter would let you know, IF it mentions the parts. I only sent for letters on modern guns for unusual bbl lengths. Lettering pre-war guns may let someone know if the gun went to a famous person or desirable place. Nice gun Twig, have fun with it. Larry

[b.guggenmos]

Congrats on a beautiful gun. I puchased my Model 17 no dash last summer. It dates to 1960. I paid $700.00 and was very happy with my purchase. You did fine and very nice to be able to swap grips for no cost. Enjoy!

[beagleye]

The no dash guns seem to have the best finishes. That one really shines. Plinking with a k22 is world class fun!

[hangnoose]

GREAT DEAL. Were you the first person thru the door? I can't imagine anyone passing that by. A deal like that may make me change my mind about going to the next show.

[Bent-Twig]

Originally Posted by hangnoose

GREAT DEAL. Were you the first person thru the door? I can't imagine anyone passing that by.

I was there early but not first in by far.

I had a half a dozen guys ask if it was the one from "that guys table" table and when I would tell them "yes" they would tell me "i woulda bought it if I had the money".Glad they didnt.

It had drawn in plenty of interest before I got to it , but the folks either didnt have enough cash on them or the rite material to trade with. Maybe he needed or new somebody that needed a good woodchuck gun. He was really after the Ruger 22-250 and I didnt have any questions on it in the first 3 rows.

Sometimes you just get lucky.

Twig.

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Well, I have a pre 17 4 screw with the TT & TH so there is at least one other with that combo. Its' serial # of 268xxx dates it to 1956.

[29aholic]

Target hammers and triggers started appearing regularly about the time of the deletion of the 5th screw (upper sideplate), I also have a late 4 screw Pre-17 with the TH, TT, and TS. More than likely your gun would have shipped with relieved diamond targets vs non-relieved targets like my gun has on it.

[Bent-Twig]

Originally Posted by 29aholic

Target hammers and triggers started appearing regularly about the time of the deletion of the 5th screw (upper sideplate), I also have a late 4 screw Pre-17 with the TH, TT, and TS. More than likely your gun would have shipped with relieved diamond targets vs non-relieved targets like my gun has on it.

I will be keeping a lookout for a nice set of diamond targets.

I wonder what a nice set will run me these days?

Twig.

[29aholic]

I would expect to pay in the $200 range for a nice set.

[THE PILGRIM]

Mine also has TH-TT but a buddy and I installed them.
Really nice grips!

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the trade as you got something you really wanted for a bargain price when you consider you have nothing in the Ruger 22-250.

[Bent-Twig]

Originally Posted by fyimo

Congratulations on the trade as you got something you really wanted for a bargain price when you consider you have nothing in the Ruger 22-250.

That is the way I felt also. Got rid of a gun I would not use and picked up a gun that I feel the whole family might enjoy.

Twig

[coleslaw]

Congrats. The ones you stumble over when you're not looking are the best ones.

[viceunit]

I have an 18-4 equipped with TT and TH, so marked on the original box. You do not commonly see an 18 with those features, but it came that way from the factory. I would think it would be more common on a model 17, as that is more often associated with target work, while the 18 is, by some, considered more of a field gun. BTW, my 18 came with magna grips.

Beautiful 17 you have there.

[Bent-Twig]

Originally Posted by viceunit

I have an 18-4 equipped with TT and TH, so marked on the original box. You do not commonly see an 18 with those features, but it came that way from the factory. I would think it would be more common on a model 17, as that is more often associated with target work, while the 18 is, by some, considered more of a field gun. BTW, my 18 came with magna grips.

Beautiful 17 you have there.

Thank you!

The 18 is on my short list to get. I am going to look at one this weekend ,but I am going to let my buddy have first dibs on it so we can do some plinking with them. If he doesnt take it tho , it will most likely come home with me.

Yours came with the box. I was not that fortunate with this one , but I am on the hunt for a correct vintage box and paperwork. If anyone has a lead on such items please let me know.

Twig.

[micromontenegro]

My 1958 17 came with 3 Ts