Picked this up recently and wanted to share. Looks to me to be a very nice early 1917 Army. All matching from what I can see (believe the two numbers on the inside of cylinder strut are inspector's numbers) - butt, inside grip, extractor, cylindere and barrel. I am not too versed on these, but believe it is an earlier one with the grooved hammer. Thoughts and comments would be appreciated.

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more pix showing the details

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final pix of the details

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That's so gorgeous.

I was kind of suspicious of it from the first picture, which is why I just edited my post. That's about as good an example as anyone could ever hope to get. Man alive that's a nice find.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! That one has been in a time capsule. Nice catch!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Thanks to you both. Yes, I was pretty happy and lucky on it. It sat on an auction for nearly a week without any interest. The photos were horrible and description misleading (made it sound like there was quite a bit of wear). One night I was bored and so began to photo shop the pictures and understood that it had the early grooved hammer. I just couldn't see the wear that the seller was talking about and so with all of that being said, took a chance on it.

Bravo, that's truly a screamer. Nicer than 99% of the 1917s we see.

And completely correct and original!

The numbers in the yoke are assembly #s and match the 3rd location inside the side plate. The letters are inspector stamps.

The serial # will be found in 6 locations including the right stock you showed.

Did anyone bid against you?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Verah nice indeed!

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

That is the most beautiful 1917 I have ever seen. Congratulations on such a fine purchase.

Very nice!! Good for you. You were able to see beyond the auction description and poor photos. That is indeed a beautiful gun.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Thanks to all for the positive comments. So here is the funny thing. As I said, it sat on auction for about a week with a buy-it-now of $849 with no takers. After seeing that this had the grooved hammer and what appeared to be correct parts, I hit the BIN. I am not huge into these but thought that it was a decent price given the fact that it was an early one. It does have honest, light high edge wear in spots (just how I like it as it means it didn't sit in a desk it's whole career), but is way better than the 85% which the seller stated.

You sure didn't pay too much and I believe somewhat less than it's worth.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

You got a good one for a good price. It has all the highly desirable early features. I checked and found this about your revolver:
The year of manufacture for serial number 6561 is 1917. December

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You're shy a few manners.

Thanks again to all!

THAT is a beauty! Most likely shipped Dec 1917. A nice early piece. Congratulations!

Congrats, that is beautiful. I have a S&W 1937 Brazilian Contract that has become my favorite revolver. Accurate. Fun to shoot!

You done good; that's a beautiful piece. I got one at a gun show a couple of years back from a private seller. It was in its original 1917 holster and had spent the years since WWI in the bottom of a heavily loaded trunk in the original owner's attic. The holster fit around it like the leather had been poured over it. All those years in contact with leather had eaten away most of the original blueing, but it functions perfectly and shoots dead-on-the money at 25 yards.

I have one in similar condition but a later model, I shoot the Brazilian and store that one. That is really nice for an early model!

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Go West young man..

Thanks for the great photos. I'm still looking for one but all have been in very used shape. Now I know what to look for!

Some of my best buys were auctions with lousy pictures....good job and a very nice 1917.

Robert

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

I have one, too. I love how these things shoot.

That gun is extraordinary high condition for a 100 yr. old Army purchase. I'm pretty safe in saying that gun never made it to the trenches. A desk jockey soldier got ahold of that gun very early and kept it well. I have at least three of these, all in much poorer condition.

Congratulations!

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Yeah, possibly in some rear office. There's barely any holster wear even. I had a Garand that was the same-went to Korea, still had the zero card in the butt. Barely shot.

That is beautiful. I have a circa 1917 M&P with "sock drawer" wear but not a military gun. It's nice to hear stories like this, too many times it's the other way around...overpriced gun in poorer condition than the pictures indicate.

Bought a Jaguar XKE in 2001 on ebay auction that had 2 very lousy pictures. Had the seller email me better pics, flew to location, inspected car and drove it home 2,300 miles.

There are great buys, such as your gorgeous 1917, but it takes insight and work, something many are unwilling to do.

Congratulations!!

I have a 1937 also and it's one of my favorite shooters as well!

Wow nice mine is serial 6501 but is nowhere as nice as yours Oh and welcome to the forum what a way to start.

Truly a time capsule piece of history!

A real beauty.

I have a 1937 Brazilian that someone blasted and cherkoted. Not real happy with that but it's still an excellent shooter. It's, my nightstand gun. Love the moon clips, faster reloads than a speedloader for me. Nice catch, I would have snatched it up in a heartbeat.

Great gun congrats on the acquisition .

What a beautiful creation.

Some 45 years past I worked in Los Angeles and came across a 1917 in a pawn shop resting in the 'throw away' barrel! I picked it up, examined the bore, cylinder, trigger pull, etc... seemed pretty good. Severe rust in the last two inches of the barrel but not anything behind that!?
So I asked why it was being tossed...? "We don't got a set of grips for it."
I bought it for like $20 or so... took it to a gunsmith in Paramount and had him bob the barrel (I know, but it was rusty)... cleaned it up, was very accurate out to ten yards (I mean really decent) and I used it as a backup for years! Great firearm, classic creation from a time when people put their souls into manufacturing. It is gone now but what are divorces for, eh?

Keep yours!

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An Armed Society is a Free Society

Congrats on finding a beauty! I've got 2 Brazilian '37's, finish worn off 1 side on each and 1 regular 1917 but no where as good or as early as yours.It's great to see someone still be able to find one like that now days.