An S&W 1917 .45ACP commercial (?) model, barrel, cylinder and frame #85113 match. An old (badly done) refinish job and original grips missing (sry no pics.) Only good thing I can see in this pistol is that the bore and action is as new! Is this old lady worth rescuing with the intention of bringing her back to…somehow close to original condition? Asking price is $399.
Thanks,
Jack.

i think so. commercial 1917's are hard to come by...

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George Jamison

The SN is out of the range for either the military or commercial 1917 production. Is this how the SN reads on the bottom of the grip frame with the barrel pointing to the right?

In any case, if it is a worn shooter, it seems a few dollars high and expensive to rehab cosmetically.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I just called the shop to confirm the SN# and it’s in 85K range (85113?) Will you be able to find DOM base on that?

A five digit S/N will work but a six diget S/N starting with 8 still won't fit.

LOL...my Smith is an old guy (just like I am) eyes not what they used to be! How about just the 85000 range then?

I think three things. One, take a magnifying glass down to the shop,
and read the number yourself - on the butt, on the back of the
cylinder, and on the flat under the barrel. Also note the roll markings
on the sides of the barrel.

Two - a decent refinish is going to run minimum $300, more if there
is surface damage or dished screw holes, etc. Its going to be a money
losing porposition.

And three, I'd wonder why the surface is so messed up, but the bore
and action are like new. Doesn't sound right.

Mike Priwer

Mike,
The S/N is in 85K range found in all three locations like you said. She sure looks all original as far as parts are concern. Number on the bottom of the grip frame is elongated (not staggered) and no hole or an outline of a "plug" visible tells me that it might be commercial? As far as markings, well...S&W logo is almost gone from the frame, barrel markings gone, screw holes dished out, she’s turning plum and brown and there is some rust here and there., etc. Funny thing is that cylinder charge holes, breech, forcing cone and barrel rifling looks to be just about perfect! It sure looks like this pistol was carried a lot and shot very little and kept in the holster for way too long and then someone (long time ago) buffed the heck out of it and re-blued it.

It can't be a Commercial in that range. That is a military number from WW I.
It IS possible that that frame was rejected or pushed aside and not built during the War and wound up as a 1946 Brazilian.

I have never seen a 1917 of any kind without a butt swivel, so it most likely is plugged.

Leave it alone. There are too many good guns in the world to buy problems.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

"Leave it alone. There are too many good guns in the world to buy problems."

I read that and had to say this...I've been told the same thing about horses!

But it's true.

I'll expand handejector's comment a little more. I came to this forum in earnest about 4 years ago. I had a few S&Ws and because of what I saw and read here decided I wanted many more. I have just about filled that bill in a short time. There were a lot of S&Ws made and even in the rarer makes they are still found. I have a .41 magnum that is one of 150. I wasn't looking for it but found it by diligent searching.

And some times I have "beaten" the supposed "best price" as well. Not always.

I too say keep searching, have the money in hand, and pounce when you find one, and you will find one.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

The gun appears to still be unidentified. Whatever it is, the condition
suggests that its going to cost a fair amount to get the finish right.
Most of that money will be lost, so you need to think about that.
If there is nothing significant about the gun, either personal or
from provenance, then the best thing for the old lady is a funeral.

Mike Priwer

If your looking for a model 1917, there is one listed very recently in our classifieds and it looks in great shape!!

A .45 ACP S&W revolver for $400? Even if it is an ugly one, a mechanically good S&W in that caliber is a great piece. What else of that quality can one get for that price?

I wish I could've found one with finish issues. I love to shoot 'em and one that's already blemished would make my range times worry-free. I recently sold my M1917* because it was too nice; I shoot a lot and I didn't want to mar up a beautiful gun. I hate finding a new blemish on a pretty weapon.

A .45 ACP revolver would be my ideal house gun if I could find one that I didn't need to coddle.

* I think that Peyton (above) may be talking about mine. It was a nice one.

Thank you all for your input. I reckon I'll offer $300 and take it from there...if no-go a search for something less abused will continue.

Jack