Hi Everyone....I'm a newbie here on the site, just signed up a few minutes ago. I was going to introduce myself but got side tracked by all the cool and informative posts and display of nice guns. This is like being in a candy shop! What great looking war horses are shown here. Here are some photos of the one I acquired in 1968. A couple photos show what appears to be a whitish mark on the barrel, but that is just some light reflection. Hope ya like it....Mike

VERY nice, Mike! Is that the original finish? If so, kudos for taking very good care of it!

Also, welcome to the forum! We hope you have many more treasures (and experience) to share.

Mike,

Welcome to the forum! Glad to have you here. Those are great photos you've posted, and the gun really sparkles. The finish looks brand new, prompting me to also ask if it's a re-finish. If not, it's a genuine gem, and if it is, it's been well done!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

As far as it being the original finish is a long story. I'll keep it short. Up until today I always figured it was an original finish. Now, I'm not sure. I got this gun back in 1968 when I was a high school senior in Ohio. A guy owed me some money on a bet concerning a Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Stealers football game. He offered me this pistol in lieu of the cash. The gun had belonged in his fathers collection which was passed on to him. He told me that this particular gun was very special to his father. He didn't know the whole story and I didn't listen too closely anyway's. It looked like a cool gun that Bonnie and Clyde would have used and I accepted it as trade. It has been in a gun safe or T-shirt drawer ever since protecting the house...LOL I also kept it wrapped in a heavy sock for extra protection.

I have read that S&W had a lustrous blue on their original guns while Colt had a subdued finish and I figured I had an original finished gun, but now I'm not so sure. I called a Smith and Wesson collecting expert today and sent him these same photos. He told me to take the hand grips off and look for some marks on the frame. He figured the gun had been re-finished but expected it to have been a professional job done by the factory. I looked for the specific marks he told me about, but they were not present. He told me that I have an exceptional gun here, but it has been refinished in his opinion. So if it was re finished it was done by someone else. I know that the gun has looked this exact same way since 1968. So anyhow, that's what I know. Any other opinion would certainly be welcome. thanks...Mike

1917 converted to target years ago before the war for a former owner. Redfield front site blade milled in, pre war S&W rear site milled in, Micro site double cockeyed hammer. S&W stocks are early 1950s smooth earliest ‘cokes’.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Mike, take a look at the cylinder stop which projects from the frame at the lower left of the frame window. As I view your pictures, it appears that what should be sharp corners on an original factory blue are rounded over there. Also, I think I detect minor dings on the barrel which are blued over - a normal ding would remove the bluing in the minor gouging.

These are signs of a re-blue. However, I think yours was generally well done; it's a very pretty piece, and you should be proud of it.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Thanks John. The gun has gotten a lot of attention over the years when I show it to someone. I'll still keep it in my T-shirt drawer away from holsters and such until I decide what to do with it, as I just hate to put a mark on it....Mike

Mike,

Welcome to the Forum. That is a very nice old M1917. However, like John, I also believe that it has been very nicely refinished.

To help you a little in establishing the production date of your revolver, there are three characteristics of the early M1917's that we rely on. The earliest ones had fine concentric grooves on the sides of the hammer. That feature was dropped approximately Feb. 1918 at serial number approx. 25,000. The early guns also have the inspector's initials GHS in a circle on the left side in front of the hammer. This was replaced with the Ordinance Bomb mark after April, 1918, The early grips had the concave top and that was replaced around March, 1918 and serial number 30,000 with the non recessed tops in the later guns.

Since your gun does not have the concentric grooves in the hammer but still does have the GHS initials and the concave grips, we can conclude that it was produced somewhere in the March-April 1918 time frame. However, as always with the S&W factory, things aren't necessarily as they seem. The grooved hammer was replaced somewhere around 25,000 and your's is 18,788 so we could conclude that either the hammer was replaced later in the guns life (perhaps when it was refinished) or the gun was assembled at the factory later from an early frame and grips. More likely, your gun was simply a little out of the normal production sequence and/or the estimates of the changes aren't exact.

Bob

More good information. Thanks alot Bob. The serial number is 16,788 but I know that one picture makes the 6 look like an 8. Thanks again Bob....Mike

So now you know the truth; thrown together with whatever parts were laying around, THEN given a quickie reblueing later on--obviously a piece of junk, with no value.

I'll give you $100 for it, so you won't feel too bad...

Mike that's an extremely nice early 1917, re-finished or not. The cylinder release thumbpiece looks like it might have original finish and was left out when gun was re-finished.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks Shep...I needed a good chuckle. I just threw that POC out in the trash. I took my grinding wheel to it first It was an ugly SOG anyways

My 1917

Thanks
Penmon

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HA! Got me!!

The most important question: Do you get to shoot it much? If you like looking at it, you'll loove shooting it!!
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Hondo and Penman, those are great-looking guns! Those target grips are beautiful, and the way the lanyard ring is exposed is a very nice touch.

Thanks Shep, the lanyard ring was missing when I got it and I don't like guns with original parts missing. So I found the ring, installed it and cut the clearance in the grips for it.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Here's mine also.

You did a very nice job! My revolver (a civil Hand Ejector nowhere near as nice as the recent offerings) has target grips that cover the lanyard attachment. I'm not nearly the woodworker you seem to be, so I will just go with period-correct grips and a replacement ring.

I can't resist showing off my two!!




Sadly, still unfired by me, my range time was limited due to the quick turn around back to the STAN.

Glad you didn't resist, very nice.

And thank you for your service!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hi All,

I'm new the S&W Forum. Sure enjoyed this thread regarding the Mod. 1917.

I have a Brazilian model. Photos attached. The cylinder is tight and timing is great. Rifling is great. too. The serial numbers on the frame (106066), cylinder (25000), and under the grips (172141) don't match. There's also an "N2" with the numbers 68955, and an "S2" with a crest on the frame where the cylinder carriage meets the frame. You can't see them in my photos, but they're where the "25000" would close to the frame.

I need a lanyard ring and pin, if anybody can help me out.

Also, I can't find any import stamp on the gun. Would someone tell me where to look? I'm told that if it lacks this stamp the gun's value goes up. I'd like to know what the gun might be worth.

Thanks in advance!

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The only numbers that would be serial numbers and therefore important are on the rear face of the cylinder, on the flat under the barrel and on the butt of the gun by the lanyard ring hole. There sould be a number stamped on the back side of the right grip.

What are those numbers?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your speedy reply. Here you go.
Rear face of cylinder: 61128
Flat under barrel and on butt: 106066
Back side of right grip: 172 over 141

What do these tell you?

Cheers,
Clay

Clay,

That tells me the cylinder and grips have been changed. There's two other places to look for the serial number 106066 to see if those parts are original.

Push the ejector star out and look on the back side of it.
With cylinder open look thru one of the chambers at the rear face of the yoke (the swing arm) with a good flashlight.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Is the serial number, 106066, the only marking on the butt or does it have the US Army markings?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Hi Guys,

The rear face of the yoke has the same number as the rear face of the cylinder: 61128. (I had no idea there might be numbers on the rear face of the yoke!)

There are no US Army markings on the butt, or anywhere else.

Thanks so much for helping me learn more about this Mod. 1917!

-Clay

That tells me the cylinder and yoke were swapped which is not that uncommon. Someone may have re-chambered the original to 45 Colt and later it was made back into a 45 ACP like it came with.

There were two Smith $ Wesson Brazilian production contracts; 1937 and 1946. Based on your # 160066, it is from the 1st contract. Your cylinder & yoke # 61128 indicate they came from an original 1917 US military contract gun from 1917.

Being a Brazilian contract gun it would not have any US military markings.

Lanyard rings and retaining pin can be had from Numrich, Propperts Parts and others. Just Google.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

My 1917 Commercial



It's been reblued with a matt finish. Someone did some creative file work on the front sight. The wood grips are long gone.

However... It's mine and it shoots to point of aim with my handloads.

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Go NRA

My 1937 Brazilian contract with a grip filler and Wonder sight.

I (believe) have an old U. S. Model 1917 S.W. 45. The serial number is 28XXX. The same serial number is also stamped on the cylinder. There is no lanyard. It is nickle plated. S.& W. D.A. 45 is stamped on the left side of the barrel. GHS is stamped (not very well) on the left side near the firing pin. The grips are plastic.

It has some rust damage (can't get my camera to work, will try later), and wear near the edge of the muzzle. The firing pin is loose. Age would be nice if anyone can tell me, how much it is worth would also be helpful.

It is a family heirloom and may be traded/sold in the family. Just want to be fair for both sides.

You have a very early Model 1917 made in 1917. Unfortunately It has been re-finished in nickel plating, the lanyard ring and the original wood stocks are missing, all of which has compromised the originality and value. The weak GHS stamp is due to over buffing when re-finished.

The firing pin is supposed to be loose (called 'floating)' to align itself with the small hole in the frame to fire properly.

It's only worth that of a shooter in it's present condition. If the barrel bore is decent and it's mechanical function is sound it's worth about $300 to 400 at best.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Here's mine, an early production gun with inspector mark and grooved
hammer. With missing lanyard ring, Eagle grips, some finish issues and
a barrle bulge about 1/2 in in front of the receiver it's strictly shooter
grade but it's mine.

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Wow they sure look different with modern grips. Totally changes the look.

FYI, Buffalo Bore has recently introduced standard pressure 45 Auto-Rim in 255gr hard cast flat nose, 225gr wadcutter, and 200gr JHP.
I got some the the 200gr JHP for house gun service. These are all pretty hot performers for standard pressure, more like +P performance for most brands. (You can read the details and safety claims about 1917s, or order the ammo on their website.)
Sorry if this is a repost...I did not read each and every page of this thread.

Rob

Thoght I'd add mine to the list. I picked it up several years ago in a pawn shop in a neighboring county while I was there attending court. All the numbers match, but it has been modified by a previous owner, barrel shortened, ramp front sight added and the whole gun nickeled. I added the grips.

I'll try to get better photos soon, but this is my M1917 recently picked up.

I had to cull one I already had, which unfortunately some nimrod had removed ALL gov't markings, and reblued/refinished, etc. They even nickeled the hammer and trigger. - How did someone think that was a good idea?
Anyway, that one's gone, replaced by this one.
This one is a 210xx gun, with a non - grooved hammer. Appears all original, even down to the pencil-inscribed grips with matching s/n.

Now, I'm wanting a period-correct holster, but don't know why - it's not like I'm gonna take her on a woods-beating excursion.
This is a strange affliction.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

You all have posted some beautiful 1917's. Now it's time for an ugly one. This one belonged to my grandfather, who probably picked it up surplus as he had no military service. He died in 1929 so it has been in the family at least that long. It had some rough treatment along the way and has some corrosion issues but seems very tight and shoots well. I'm thinking that in this condition it is a shooter, not a collector, and as such I wouldn't be wrong to get it refinished. I'm thinking of sending it off for a Black-T or Green-T treatment, maybe like the Ruger revolver they have on their web site under pictures. I would put some nice grips on it and have a fun range gun that will last another 100 years. What do you folks think?

i 1917 S&W 45 everything original as far as i know the grips etc the serial no is on the butt and cylinder, it is the military type. It was handed down to me.
Charles
e mail [email protected]

Here's my 1917 Commercial:

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I really like it the way it is...it is "Honest". It has true character.

I would gadly buy it in-a-Heartbeat if it were at a Gun Show, and I would treasure it just like it is.

Re-finished old Guns are a total bore or worse, usually, much worse. And, once refinished, they can never be put 'back'.

Leave it be!

All 'matching', never been re-finished. someone Hack sawed the Barrel off at a slight angle, and eft the Saw Marks on the Muzzle Other than getting the Mechanism into good working order, ( as far as I can figure out in examining it, the Hammer Strut was shortened and it is causing the Mechanism to 'bind' ) the only other thing I might do, is to put some Black Friction Tape around the Grip...which is also to say, that I like the old 'Gut Bucket' just as it is ( and I do, too! )

I believe that one beats mine in the ugly contest! If it could talk I wonder what tales it could tell.

I am trying to imagine the guy that cut the Barrel ( let alone, who-ever then ended up with the 600 grit abrasive paper 'sanding' the rest ).

I recently bought this WWI vet bring back form a friend of the owner's family.

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My whole buncha nice one -

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Granddad's 1917.

I never heard any stories behind it. He was a WWI vet who served in France, but given he was postmaster of Iraan, Texas for over 20 years, I'd say it was almost certainly acquired when USPS was selling both makes of 1917s for something like $16 apiece.

I also have the certificate signed by FDR appointing him Postmaster.

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I was recently given a SW 1917 by my father-in-law. It was one he found on the third day of the battle of Iwo Jima (he was a marine) and was used during the whole battle. The finish is 100% gone but there is no rust and the action is tight and smooth. It has plexiglass grips with tin foil underneath that my father-in-law says was on it the day he found it. He says it was blue when he found it but the volcanic ash on the island took the finish off. In his platoon the night sentry would get the revolver for using against infiltrators, he said it saved their bacon a dozen times. No rust because they cleaned and lubed it every night. He was wounded late in the third week and when he returned to his platoon after the battle they had taken care of his revolver and gave it back to him. Because of the plexiglass grips I wonder if it was lost by a pilot, and anyway what are the groups thoughts on getting it reblued? I'm not worried about collector value, its going to stay in the family, but I would like to use it. And if I go ahead, where do I send it to?

Many thanks,
JJ

James if it were mine I would leave it as is it is part of its history and as such has a value on its own merits. I would write down what he told you about its history. I for one am grateful for the sacrifices his generation went through so that we still live in a free country.

Peter & Paul

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De Oppresso Liber Μολὼν λαβέ

Hi James,


Please post some images of this one!

I would say "Leave it be."

Keep it well Lubed, shoot it now and then, and do not change a thing on it...is it precious being just what it is, and just as it is.

Here are some shots of the SW 1917 that my father-in-law used during the battle of Iwo Jima.

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James.
Leave that gun be! To me, that revolver is better than any mint in the box 1917 you could find. It's earned every scratch, nick or dent it has. Just think of the Marines came home because of your 1917.
How many may have thought of it when reliving the hell that was Iwo Jima. If you shoot it do it on Nov 10, VJ day and Memorial Day, but, leave it as it is. I have had and have seen fighting knives with plexiglass handles. I was told they were a form of WWII trench art, supposedly the plexi was from shot down Jap windshields. I have a friend whose Uncle was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Iwo. He never made it home. I think it belongs in a museum. I would be proud to own a piece of history like that.

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Don Mundell