Stopped in the local gun shop today. Proprietor showed me this 1917. Neither of us knew a lot about the gun. We both observed that it looks refinished. We both wondering if these grips are correct. I suggested we ask the board here. So, with the owner's permission, here it is. What say you?

We would appreciate any general observations and comments. Gun shop guy not a particularly avid net user, so any thing you guys want to share, I'll go over and show him.

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America First

It may have a replaced barrel, done by the factory's Service dep't. and also refinished in July 1974. ( Date code 7.74 stamped on grip frame) The stocks are not military issue type (smooth) , do they have a serial number stamped on the back side of the right panel ? Ed.

Just the kind of thing we were looking for here. We also wondered about it having been re barreled. The SN on the barrel flat appears to be the same as the number on the butt, so we kind of talked ourselves out of that idea. No numbers on the grip panels, so I was thinking they likely not original to the gun.

Thanks!

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America First

Wrong grips, refinished, but still a nice looking shooter.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Anyone know what this mark is on the grip frame?

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America First

Indicates a factory refinish in standard "blue" finish.

That is the stamping applied to revolvers which went through the factory reblue process. R-S means Refinish-Standard (which means blued). The grips are of the civilian style used during the 1911-20 period. Correct military grips are smooth wood. The diamond on the barrel is typical of a barrel replacement. S&W numbered replacement barrels to match the frame SN. This one is from the WWI era, and most of those shipped in 1918.

Not correct stocks as other have said...but they are very desirable!

What is the geometric marking on the left side high on the grip frame, hopefully some kind of tape residue? Other than that it looks like a very nice factory refinish and re-barrel, probably a great shooter that should be picked up reasonably.

They stamped the 4 line address on it when it was returned, apparently, along with the large logo.

Good information above. This was redone in the era of putting modern frame rollmarks on refinished guns (four-line replacing Made in U.S.A.). I have heard that some guy named Jinks was the one who put a stop to that practice...

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Unfortunately it is a nasty blemish on the otherwise really nice finish.


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America First

Cold blue might work on the blemish, which can also be covered probably by Magna or other replacement grips.

I wouldn't fire Plus P ammo in a 1917, but it looks like a good gun, provided the seller gives you a decent price, considering the refinish, bad blemish, and incorrect grips. Is the hammer freckled or tarnished?

Of course, those non-fitted grips are valuable in themselves. We had a post today from a member who may want them for his .455, which has replacement Magnas, better for shooting.

What the gun has lost in collector interest makes it a better looking gun as a shooter.

Thanks all. I knew this group would come up with some additional information. Much appreciated.

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America First

Well the sharp members above nailed it.

We know that the barrel has been replaced at the factory as posted above, because:

1. It no longer has the PROPERTY OF US ARMY roll mark under the front of the barrel because it's a commercial barrel,
2. It's stamped S <>, S for svc dept and a diamond meaning a replaced part,
3. It has been stamped with a matching serial # to the gun.

The large logo on the sideplate started in 1936 and was still the current marking in '74. As was the 4 line address.

It never had the MADE IN USA mark where the 4 lines are, which wasn't used until after May 1922.

All standard factory protocol.

A commercial model 1917 produced during the same period, 1917-18 would have had those exact stocks.

It's a totally righteous factory reworked 1917 Army. Does not appear to have been monkeyed with in any other way.

I believe in '74 it was fitted with magna or target stocks because the sideplate screw usually covered with those stocks is a flat head. The period correct screw for the Service stocks now on it, should be a domed head screw like the other four. That's the only thing I would change if I retained the stocks on it.

Has the shop decided on a price yet?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Looks like something I would appreciate having in my collection.

Sums it up nicely. And yes, the members here nailed it. LGS guy and I knew they would. We even had a laugh when I said, "hey why don't I post this"... and he finished the sentence with, "on the S&W board".

We enjoyed the laughs. But knew this thread would be productive too. Again, much appreciated.

He didn't price it to me. I'm sure he would if asked.

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America First