Ran into a guy today and he says he has a M1917 that is British marked he wants to sell, I have never seen or heard of british marked M1917.. Can someone give me a little history on the ones that went to Britian, and what I should look for when I go to check it out. Also how do these rate as far value?

Might it be a P14?

I would bear in mind the possibility that it is a .455 Hand Ejector Second Model that has been converted to .45 ACP. Check to make sure all the major parts are numbered alike. A 1917 barrel will be 5.5 inches long. A .455 HE barrel will be 6.5 inches.

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David Wilson

I will check the barrel length.. Is it possiable this is a Lend Lease Pistol??

There's information and pictures in this thread. If the Brits had their hands on it, you’ll know.

Let's see your U.S. Model 1917 S&Ws!

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"I also cook."

To be precise, "Lend Lease" identifies war materiel provided by the US under a 1941 agreement. We're about 25 years too early for that.

In the First World War, Britain secured revolver contracts with S&W for revolvers in 1914 (.455 First Model, or Triple Lock) and renewed in 1915 (.455 Second model, which has an unshrouded ejector rod). The 1917s, which went into production in response to America's entry in to the War, also had unshrouded ejector rods. That's why I think someone may have confused the two models. A lot of .455s (both first and second models) came back to the US after the war when they were surplused and sold by the British. Once here, many were converted to chamberings more familiar than the .455 Mark II round. Both .45 Colt and .45 ACP conversions are seen.

Do you know the serial number? There are duplicated serial numbers, but a gun numbered over about 75000 is necessarily a 1917 because .455 production went no higher. (Round number; we can get more precise if we have to.)

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David Wilson

It all depends on what kind of British markings it has.
I would guess that they are commercial markings (like the ones shown above) which merely means that the gun was sold through a commercial shop at some time in its life.
Were it lend-lease of some form of military issue there should be some military property marks somewhere.
There might even be both types.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

OK, I just saw the gun, ser#118xxx, It is marked US Property on barrel and US ARMY M1917 on butt, #'s match, I'd say 80% condition, holster ware on end of barrel and sharp edges and the grips look to good to be original.. British marks on every cyclander (small Proof), and writing on barrel (something about "pounds"). Man wants $750 for it. Is that a decent price? I don't know what the British marks do to the value..

I sold one this year marked like the one in the photo above .

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Mitch

and what did you sell it for

It's likely a gun shipped to the British during the early days of WW II, and in my opinion $750 is too high as described. I doubt the extra stampings affect value either way except to a collector looking for a gun with them.

If the stocks are original you may see the 118xxx number written in pencil on the inside (usually right panel).

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

After Dunkirk in 1940-
Roosevelt ordered that "surplus" WW I weapons be sold to Britain.
Some were:
A total of 500 of the Model 1899 Navy 38 M&P's and Model 1902 Navy M&P's
20,000 Model 1917's

You will see all 3 models occasinally from this sale.
They were delivered between June and Sept, 1940.
So, when you see one, you KNOW you are looking at an S&W that saw The Battle of Britain!

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I had another thread going earlier but could not get responses on price.
ser#118xxx, It is marked US Property on barrel and US ARMY M1917 on butt, #'s match, I'd say 80% condition, holster ware on end of barrel and sharp edges and the grips look to good to be original.. British marks on every cyclander (small Proof), and writing on barrel (something about "pounds"). Man wants $750 for it. Is that a decent price? I don't know what the British marks do to the value.. Please help me out, I haft to make a decision today.. Thanks

No need for a New Post.

Prices are hard to give on a gun unseen and many members do not like to speculate. For me the price you posted seems to high but then I dont collect 1917's. I would be more comfortable if you could answer some of the questions that were asked and post pics.

Dan

Muzzle wear and sharp edge wear do not make a gun 80%.
If that is all the wear, it could easily be a 90-95% gun.

If I were selling, I would-
95% = $1000 or MORE
90% = $850
85% = $650-750 depending on eye appeal
80% = $600
You decide.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

So, did you buy it?

$750 does not sound out of the ballpark, but it all depends on exact condition. Taking your description (80%, non-original stocks) at face value, I think it should be priced lower.

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You're shy a few manners.