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02-08-2015, 06:10 PM
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Model 1917 back from the gunsmith
Last September I traded a 4" DAO Model 64-5 for this 1917. It was in pretty rough shape, so I decided it would provide a good opportunity to try the new gunsmith in town. All proof marks had been files off of the gun. There was so much wear that one side of the barrel was flat. The muzzle was no longer square to the bore.
Overall, I'm satisfied with the work. He took a few liberties without consulting me first. I really wish he hadn't. He said that he was going to replace the original stocks. He ended up "reconditioning" them instead. You can see the results below. The lanyard ring was added, which we also didn't discuss. I think it is a nice touch.
Other work done included re-cutting and crowning the muzzle as well as refinishing the gun.
No trigger work was done. The pull is a bit stiff, but very smooth. I can't wait to get it to the range. I also think that it makes a great companion to my Winchester Model of 1917 rifle.
I have to do something about the stocks. I'm considering reproduction stocks and maybe a Tyler T. Suggestions are more than welcome.
Here's the important part
Before:
After:
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02-08-2015, 08:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
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Repros won't work, notice how the frame has been modified? The shape is closer to a colt then a s&w.
Going to have to probably take up stock making and make your own set for it.
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02-08-2015, 08:19 PM
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US Veteran SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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Ouch on the grips. The rest looks fine
Charlie
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02-08-2015, 08:20 PM
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On second look, the grip strap does appear to have been altered. Did you get it that way, or was that another gunsmith enhancement? Or is it an optical illusion?
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02-08-2015, 08:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
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Thank you. Those are the ones that I've been looking at.
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02-08-2015, 08:34 PM
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SixgunStrumpet and DWalt -
Will you explain to me what you're seeing? It looks different than a standard square butt N, but my understanding was that these old guns had a bit different frame. I only have a few pics of the gun before sending it to the gunsmith. If you can help me see what is off Imay be able to tell from the old images.
Thanks again.
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02-08-2015, 08:47 PM
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The finish looks good, but the lanyard loop is incorrect. It is way too big.
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02-08-2015, 08:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
The finish looks good, but the lanyard loop is incorrect. It is way too big.
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I agree. I looked at the lanyard loops at Numrich. I'm hoping to be able to swap it out.
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02-08-2015, 09:09 PM
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He did that to the stocks without asking? I would consider demanding that he replace them.
That lanyard loop looks like a sling swivel for a rifle. He seems to just throw odds and ends together and call it good. I wouldn't let him touch anything of mine.
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02-08-2015, 09:15 PM
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The refinish is pretty nice,Everything else....Not my Cup of Tea.It looks like the front grip strap has been heated up and bowed in.
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02-08-2015, 09:26 PM
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The grip frame shape is the same as when I got the gun. I can't pass that part off on the 'smith. he didn't charge me for the lanyard ring. As long as he didn't alter the dimensions of the opening I can replace it. The grips burn me.
The possibility that things might go wrong is why I took him something that I didn't have much invested in, monetarily or sentimentally.
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02-08-2015, 09:47 PM
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Colt New Service/1917 grips may be large enough, and of the proper shape, to be fitted to the gun. It appears that may be what the original grips you have were from. These guns are larger than S&W N-frames with correspondingly larger grips, so there may be enough wood to play with.
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Last edited by -db-; 02-08-2015 at 09:54 PM.
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02-08-2015, 09:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -db-
A Colt New Service/1917 grip may be large enough, and of the proper shape, to be fitted to the gun. It appears that may be what the original grip you have was. These guns are larger than S&W N-frames with correspondingly larger grips.
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Thanks. I'll check it out.
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02-08-2015, 10:51 PM
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Hate the grips. The rest is just fine.
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02-09-2015, 04:51 PM
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Here's a side by side comparison of a Colt and S&W 1917. Don't know if this will help much, but...
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02-09-2015, 05:00 PM
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I'd pull the grip panels and send them to a custom maker to see if a replacement set could be fabricated.
If I'm not mistaken, the period correct lanyard loop would be circular, similar to the Bowen model:
Lanyard Rings & Studs : + Bowen Classic Arms +, Parts Store
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02-09-2015, 05:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy
Here's a side by side comparison of a Colt and S&W 1917. Don't know if this will help much, but...
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I see it. Thanks for the picture.
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02-09-2015, 05:14 PM
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The grips were not right to start with. Top of the grips are just non-original but the cut-out, or milling at the top of the grip on the frame is still correctly shaped. Isn't the bottom flat of the grip frame (heel??) altered so that it is no longer parallel to the bore. If so, the serial number is gone unless someone re-stamped it. I don't think it is just distortion caused by the photo itself as the angle of the grip bottom looks the same in all pics. Does it look like that to everyone else?
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02-09-2015, 05:27 PM
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What posible purpose would anyone have in changing the shape of the gripstrap? In any case, about all that can be done is to attempt to shape some grip panels fit it. But the other question is more important. Is the original serial number on the butt OK?
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02-09-2015, 05:54 PM
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I'll have to check if the heel is parallel to the bore this evening. I agree that the grips were not original, since they fit the frame. The serial on the butt is present, but faint.
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02-09-2015, 06:02 PM
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So long as the SN is legible, you are legal. Fortunately, you do have some grips which fit the frame, and that should make modification of standard shaped grips simpler as you have a pattern to go by.
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02-09-2015, 08:39 PM
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Correct butt markings and lanyard swivel:
Correct wood stocks unless the serial number is below ~ # 20,000. I'll send you a PM with sources for correct stocks:
Correct under barrel stamp:
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