This one is kind of ugly given the re-nickle but thought I'd post about it anyway given that it may be somewhat rare. If I read correctly from the Supica/Nahas book this one was made up after WWII as part of some 991 commercial versions in SN range S209792 to S210782 between 1946-50. I searched the forums (and the internet) for additional info but didn't find much. Anyone have any of the other 990? Don't suppose its worth much given the re-finish and I know the stocks are wrong. Anyone know what the stocks would have been originally?

Attached Images

	1917 Post WWII.JPG (78.9 KB, 134 views)
	1917 Post WWII Sideplate.JPG (95.2 KB, 120 views)
	1917 Post WWII S210775.JPG (78.6 KB, 114 views)
	1917 re-finish Post WWII 45 ACP.JPG (95.9 KB, 116 views)

Very cool, even if refinished. It will be a fine shooter.

I remember a couple of other late 1917s being discussed here in the last two or three years, but I can't remember who had them. I think one had an S prefix and one didn't.

The gun would have shipped with postwar diamond magnas like those on the gun now. Have you pulled those to see if they actually number to the gun?

__________________
David Wilson

DCWilson, no they don't number to the gun, I put these magnas on it when I got the gun some ten years or so ago. It had some plastic faux stag grips on it when I bought it. The magnas were my best guess as to what might have been correct.

David is correct as usual; it is one of the early postwar 1917s, and some were stamped with the S prefix and some not. It's nice even with the refinish.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

There's nothing ugly about that one.

__________________
Why, I aughta.....

That is very cool! If you wanted to spend a bunch of money you could get the nickel removed, then have it reblued. You'd still end up with a shooter, and if it were mine I'd keep it as is, maybe put some Grashorn grips on it, and wear it to barbeques! I'd be proud to own that one!

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

Yep, that's a cool old 1917 and a great shooter. It still has the distinction of being one of the 9XX just in the serial range albeit not the value any longer.
I wouldn't put any money into it except maybe to fill the hole in the butt with a proper lanyard ring, about $20.

By the way, the proper location for the lower rear sideplate flat head screw is under the stock panel.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Is that what that is? I thought those screws were polished flat during the refinish.

__________________
Why, I aughta.....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44

By the way, the proper location for the lower rear sideplate flat head screw is under the stock panel.

Hondo44: I'm pretty sure Mike M is correct and that the screw heads were flattened during polishing during the re-finish.

I would say in a case like this appreciate it for what it is, instead of lamenting what it is not.

As nickeled guns go, that one looks well done, to me anyways. As others have said, it should be one heck of a shooter, and in a very good caliber to boot.

Is that so bad?

__________________
You're shy a few manners.

22,

Nice Find!!! Not alot to say other than S&W didn't want to waste any of the old frames they had laying around on the shelves for years. I have owned a few of these and was always tickled when I saw one. I think forum member M1911 has a nice collection of them as he now owns this one. I have more pictures somewhere of 2 with the S in the serial numbers I will have to dig into the old hard drives I think to find the pictures.
No S in number

Dan

Dan M, that's a very nice one and love those ivory stocks. I assume these left the factory with a lanyard ring and if not would have had the holes plugged at the factory. Any idea why some were S marked and others in the same serial range were not? Just an oversight at the factory? Thanks to all for the comments and information.

Jeff

Gotta love the old 1917's. The "Classic" model, not so much.

Except the other screw heads aren't flat, they are domed. What does the screw head under the stock panel look like? I forgot to fully address your question about what the original stocks would have been. The single flat head screw confirms that your gun came with Magna stocks (that's why it's flat so the stock would fit flat to the frame). And although some of the 991 may have had pre war Magnas, the stocks you have on it with the pronounced shoulder ridge are about as correct vintage as you can get.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819