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07-20-2017, 03:41 PM
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4 digit Mod 1917 found locally.
Guys: This walked in today, 4 digit, converted barrel, typical of the 1920's & 30's....This one has a star on the bottom next to the Army number. What do you think this means?? French issue?? 
Dale in AL
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07-20-2017, 03:48 PM
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It probably indicates that it was returned to S&W for some type of service - maybe shortening the barrel. Remove the grips and see if there is a date stamp on the left side of the grip frame. It will be in the form of mm.yy, such as 6.38 for June 1938. There may be other service stampings there also. No collectible value but it should be a fun shooter.
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07-20-2017, 04:15 PM
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12 22 is stamped there...
Thanks
Dale
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07-20-2017, 05:13 PM
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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Ok, the gun went back to S&W Service in December 1922. Look under the barrel to see if there is a <> diamond next to the serial number or inside the yoke. Or maybe an "S" stamp. That could mean barrel work. Perhaps others here have seen a S&W shortened barrel that short, but I haven't. It is also missing the original smooth round top stocks and the lanyard ring. Both are available on ebay or gunbroker.com. But, since the gun is now just a shooter, maybe the faux stags should stay. If you are looking to flip it and I'm close, PM me.
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07-20-2017, 05:27 PM
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"S"
"S" on the barrel and under the yoke.
Dale
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07-20-2017, 05:31 PM
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Seems like S&W service department did the work. I'm surprised they would cut it that short. But, whatever the customer wants, I suppose.
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07-20-2017, 05:31 PM
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Also, gentlemen, the "radial dirt clearance grooves" are on the hammer. When I lived in CT, it was only the real early models that had that feature, along with the GHS inspectors' mark, like this one has...
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07-20-2017, 05:51 PM
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Were these released by the Army before or after 1922? Is it possible the Army sent it back?
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07-20-2017, 06:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reddog81
Were these released by the Army before or after 1922? Is it possible the Army sent it back?
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The 1917 in my possession was issued to my grandfather, a Lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps, and purchased by him through the armory at Camp Dodge, Iowa when he mustered out after the war in 1919. I have the paperwork for it and they gouged him to the tune of $17.50.
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07-20-2017, 06:09 PM
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I'm a big fan of the 1917's from both S&W and Colt. They are among my favorite shooters. Usually I frown upon modified classics, but that one is pretty cool. Enjoy it.
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07-20-2017, 07:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vonmazur
Guys: This walked in today, 4 digit, converted barrel, typical of the 1920's & 30's....This one has a star on the bottom next to the Army number. What do you think this means?? French issue??
Dale in AL |
Dale,
The "Army #" and the S&W serial # are one and the same. Only the Colt 1917 had two separate #s. Army # on the butt and serial # in the crane.
The S&W serial # is found in 6 locations on the gun but not in the yoke. Is there a matching serial # under the barrel?
I believe the barrel was changed by the factory in 1922, but likely shortened further after that, outside the factory.
The grooved hammers were the only hammers used thru ~ # 15,XXX, and used sporadically after that until they were gone by ~ 20,XXX.
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07-20-2017, 07:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vonmazur
Also, gentlemen, the "radial dirt clearance grooves" are on the hammer. When I lived in CT, it was only the real early models that had that feature, along with the GHS inspectors' mark, like this one has...
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No question this is an early one. Look at the Army # on the butt.
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07-20-2017, 07:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy
Seems like S&W service department did the work. I'm surprised they would cut it that short. But, whatever the customer wants, I suppose.
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Lots of good comments. I'll bet that back in 1922 the factory was much more willing to make mods per the customer's wishes, especially if that customer was involved in law enforcement. Much, much more so if he had anything to do with purchasing decisions.
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07-20-2017, 10:54 PM
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If the OP buys this gun, it NEEDS to be lettered. This MIGHT be a factory shortened barrel. The star is a factory repair mark. Thought I saw a WTB ad for an original 1917 barrel from him.
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07-20-2017, 11:07 PM
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Except for the stocks I think I would leave it just like it is no matter who shortened the barrel. That's a handy dandy big bullet shooter right there.
I like it.
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07-20-2017, 11:09 PM
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It means "Buy me Monsieur".
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07-20-2017, 11:42 PM
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Dale welcome to the forum. That is one neat snub nose 1917 here is mine serial number 6501 that I got a few years ago.
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07-21-2017, 12:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Plain Old Dave
If the OP buys this gun, it NEEDS to be lettered. This MIGHT be a factory shortened barrel. The star is a factory repair mark. Thought I saw a WTB ad for an original 1917 barrel from him.
Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk
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A factory letter will not mention if the original barrel was later shortened at the factory. It will provide only the original 5-1/2" barrel length. Unless there is a desire to know what the exact shipment date was, there is no benefit in ordering a letter.
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