A somewhat local gun pusher has a S&W M1917 for sale, $499 non-negotiable. I am weak, and have been spending too much lately on guns and never asked to hold it, knowing that once I had it in hand, barring any major issues, I'd buy it. Supposedly a 30's production gun, I don't know if it's a contract gun or commercial. The stocks and finish looked good at a glance. Aside from the normal checks, timing, lock-up, bore, matching numbers etc. anything to look for? Since leaving it, it's been gnawing at me. I came to the experts.

Is it a Brazilian 1917 or a commercial 1917? The Brazilian will have the Brazilian crest on the side plate.

The commercial 1917 should have a one line serial number on the butt and a small S&W stamp on the left side of the frame. Is it a flat top frame with the square rear sight notch or the older round top frame with a "dimple" rear sight?

Check for a re-blue. Usually, the best indicator of a non-factory re-blue is the fit of the side plate. Next would be blued hammer and trigger.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Good information above. It is in the ballpark for a nice 1937 Brazilian and low for an original Commercial model.

Some of us are experts but nearly all are expert enablers . Good luck in your decision and post photos after you buy it .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

What type of grips were on it? If it's a commercial or the Brazilian, they probably are silver medallion. Those grips would be worth over half of what he's asking.

Guy

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I really didn't give it much more than a glance other to look at the finish, never held it. The tag simply said 30's production. Flat top, round top, square, dimple are what I need to know? I was trying to be good, but like I said I am weak. The trouble is this shop is about an hour from me and my work schedule/their hours/my wife don't jive. It seems to be a fair price if all is in order.

I'd buy anything short of a beat up mix master Brazilian 1917 for that price. That said, my beat up mix master Brazilian is one of my favorite shooters. I probably shoot it as more than any other S&W I own.

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Go West young man..

I've read lots of wisdom on this forum, but this one is the absolute tops! Well said Murphydog!

Buy it. Figure out the details later.

Best case scenario is that I can't get to look it over until Weds. IF it's still there.

You could call them and have them hold it in your name until you can get there to inspect it.

Another thing to look for is rechambering to 45 Colt.

Whether it's a Brazilian or a commercial model it will have the serial in one line on the butt reading right side up with muzzle to the right.

Besides the crest on the side plate, a Brazilian will have the mushroom shaped extractor knob. A '30s coml will have the barrel shaped extractor knob.

The Coml model may have a small S&W logo on left side frame or may have a large logo on the side plate if post 1936 production.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

With most 1917's going in the $750 to $1,500 range, unless its a boat anchor, buy it.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Well I went back today to see if they still had it(they did) and gave it a going over. I believe it is a Brazilian gun as there is a crest on the sideplate, but I couldn't read it. The stock are mis-matched(no biggie for a shooter), one has a medallion the other plain checkered, it has a rounded top strap, and a lanyard swivel. There is very little finish left, mainly on the cylinder. The barrel and frame have a nice patina, that looks cool to me. The numbers on the butt and frame match, but I forgot to look at the barrels number. The bore is bright and shiny. Its locks up with a small bit of rotational play. B/C gap is probably around .010". My only concern is the side plate seems not to be what I expect to see on an older Smith. The side plate doesn't seem even with the frame. It seems to be slightly thicker that the frame. I dont know if that is common with a military contract gun or not. IIRC the serial number is 187XXX or 187XXXX. Going by memory, my mistake. I think I am going to have a new addition to my collection soon!

Bravo.

It would be 187XXX. Where else on the frame did the serial # match the # on the butt?

To confirm the side plate is original to the gun, the assembly # on the inside should match the # in the yoke and frame yoke cut out.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I only checked the butt and the cylinder. The dealer won't allow me to pull the side plate.
Any idea when this was made? It said on the tag 1937 model.

Oh, in post #12 above you said: “The numbers on the butt and frame match...”.

The 1937s were made 1937/38. The 1946 Brazilians in 1946.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Well I had a drs. appointment today to see how my A1C (blood sugar)was. I was diagnosed as diabetic in October with a A1C of 11.3 which is pretty high. In Jan. it was 6.3 and today it was 5.8. Still higher than it should be but a heck of a lot better. The good doctor was happy, my wife, was happy, I was happy. So I decided to reward myself and put $200 down on it. As soon I spring it from gun jail I'll post some pics. It has some miles on it, but so does Ann Margaret and I wouldn't mind having her either!

"The good doctor was happy, my wife, was happy, I was happy. So I decided to reward myself and put $200 down on it. As soon I spring it from gun jail I'll post some pics. It has some miles on it, but so does Ann Margaret and I wouldn't mind having her either!"

But then your wife would NOT be happy.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

HA HA!! But like the song says "two out of three ain't bad"

"Any idea when this {s/n 187xxx} was made?"

Per Roy Jinks:
First Brazilian Contract Group (25,000 units), 1938, serial number range 181,983 to 207,043

Delivery began 2/15/38, usually in lots of 1,000 units.

Just FYI:
Second Brazilian Contract Group (12,000 units), 1946
Two s/n subgroups 166,000 to 175,150 and 207,196 to 209,878

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You're shy a few manners.