What Variant of 1917/1950 do I have?

mp5guy · #1 08-17-2018, 07:18 PM

Hi, Thanks. This one is over my pay grade. I bought this today & don't quite know what it is. Here is a general description of it. It is stamped U.S. Model 1917 Serial 92524. The barrel is 5.5" length with "45 CAL Model of 1950" on the right side, "Smith & Wesson" on the left & the correct serial number "92524" with a "S with a diamond" on the flat for the ejector rod. The Crane & Yoke have matching assembly numbers & there is a eaglehead "S23" proof. The hammer & trigger are cased. The grips are plain walnut & it has a lanyard. I don't really want to take the side plate off & see no evidence of a typical post war transfer bar. Please let me know what it is before I "butch it up". Thanks again!

mp5guy · #2 08-17-2018, 07:21 PM

Here are a few more

quinn · #3 08-17-2018, 07:37 PM

Well, the frame looks like a standard 197 Army model to which a post war 5.5" barrel has been added. If you remove the grips there made be a date stamped on the left side of the grip frame. If the factory did the change, the date should be here. Is the barrel serial number the same as the bottom of the grip? OOPs, I see that the barrel has the same number along with a diamond. The barrel change was almost assuredly done by the factory. Look for the date on the grip frame. The replacement barrel would have been standard on the Pre model 22. ( Modlel of 1950 45 Army)

mp5guy · #4 08-17-2018, 08:14 PM

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I was kinda thinking the same as you, but, it lacks the ordnance proofs on the top left rear of the receiver, unlike the 1917 the internal pins of the receiver are not raised & it has the S&W trade mark on the right hand side of the receiver. ?????

Muley Gil · #5 08-17-2018, 11:52 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

The side plate was probably stamped by the factory when the revolver went back to Springfield.

The rear side plate screw is flat. This one may have received Magna grips at the same time it received a new barrel.

Hondo44 · #6 08-18-2018, 05:11 AM

I agree with Muley Gil.

You won't need to remove the side plate to check for a hammer block safety.
Cock the hammer and you'll be able to see it in the hammer channel if it had one, but I'm sure it doesn't have one.

Please let us know about a date under the left side grip frame on the toe for the barrel change.

The re-blue does not look factory done, however.

murphydog · #7 08-18-2018, 08:21 AM

Agree with all the above. I am guessing it may be a factory Bright Blue refinish, or whomever did it was highly skilled.

The original 1917 extractor rod had a larger end to it and with the barrel change it was changed out for the straight knurled version. The serial number should be on the rear cylinder face but it may be a newer restamped part also.

mp5guy · #8 08-18-2018, 08:40 PM

Thanks for the replies! The left grip frame is marked 764, 78 & "S Diamond". Does this help?

Muley Gil · #9 08-18-2018, 09:31 PM

The "764" stamp means that it received service at S&W in July 1964.

Hondo44 · #10 08-18-2018, 10:27 PM

The S diamond means part changed in the service dept and the part is the barrel since it's marked the same. Cyl may be also. The 78 is a mystery w/o knowing it's location on the grip frame. Front grip frame at the top is an inspector stamp.

mp5guy · #11 08-18-2018, 11:11 PM

Soooo....is it a reworked 1917 or a later released 1917 through commercial channels? I initially bought it as a shooter for $500 & would gladly pay that again. I have a set of vintage rogers grips, which feel really good on it, but if it has more intrinsic value as a collector, I will wait. Please advise.

Muley Gil · #12 08-19-2018, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp5guy

Soooo....is it a reworked 1917 or a later released 1917 through commercial channels? I initially bought it as a shooter for $500 & would gladly pay that again. I have a set of vintage rogers grips, which feel really good on it, but if it has more intrinsic value as a collector, I will wait. Please advise.

This is a WW I era 1917 that has been sent back to S&W in July 1964 and has received a new barrel and new ejector rod. Because of the re-work, it is a shooter, not a serious collector piece.

If it helps you shoot better, put the Rogers grips on it.

Hondo44 · #13 08-19-2018, 01:00 AM

Yes definitely a WW I military 1917. You will not see the Army stamping on the bottom on any other 1917s produced after the war for the commercial market. Nor on any Commercial models period, even if they would have been issued during the war.

wheelgun610 · #14 08-19-2018, 01:09 AM

It's definitely not a commercial issue. Those just had the S/N, and with no US ARMY marking on the butt. If that gun does indeed have the hammer block safety, it's possible that a new side plate was fitted at the factory at the time of the barrel replacement. I'm not sure whether the earlier side plates could be machined for the hammer block. The original side plate would have the same assembly number as the on the yoke and yoke cut in the frame - unless it was milled off for the hammer block.

Mark

6string · #15 08-19-2018, 02:17 AM

This nice revolver may not be collectible in the traditional sense, but it does have a very interesting history nonetheless.
If something like this were to be lettered, is it possible that the rework info would be noted in addition to the original configuration?

Thanks for sharing, and thanks to the experts for their knowledge,
Jim

R*E · #16 08-19-2018, 09:17 AM

I find it interesting that there are many examples of higher serial numbered guns with Army proof markings which indicates the factory wasn’t concerned that deliveries used non sequential numbers.

mp5guy · #17 08-19-2018, 11:12 AM

Thank you guys! Cool....a shooter it is! To tell you guys the truth, I am kinda happy it doesn't have any "untypical" value. In trying to figure out this thing out, I seen some beautiful pictures of 1917 commercials, I had no idea they were so gorgeous. A little more knowledge for my data bank (although it's slipping away). Thanks again, Tim

Muley Gil · #18 08-19-2018, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6string

This nice revolver may not be collectible in the traditional sense, but it does have a very interesting history nonetheless.
If something like this were to be lettered, is it possible that the rework info would be noted in addition to the original configuration?

Thanks for sharing, and thanks to the experts for their knowledge,
Jim

The letter from Roy Jinks, the historian, tells the original configuration and where it shipped. A search of the historical foundation may have info on the re-work. Not sure if they have anything in 1948 yet. If no records on your revolver, no charge from the foundation.

JSR III · #19 08-19-2018, 04:38 PM

Regardless of collector value, you purchased an N frame S&W shootable gun for $500. To me that is a bargain any day of the week....

mp5guy · #20 08-19-2018, 10:22 PM

I know.....Thanks! Maybe fortunately or unfortunately, I am from the days when M&P's were $200 retail & nobody wanted 38/200 guns. Maybe some day I'll forget & the money will peel off with less "sentiment". Thanks again.

S&WsRsweet · #21 08-20-2018, 05:32 AM

Thanks for coming aboard and shareing an interesting gun ,there is some great basic information on this thread .Although "collector" value may not be here regular gun value will be and it will only go up cause brother they really ain't makin em like that anymore .Let us know it shoots we love range reports .

steelslaver · #22 08-20-2018, 06:11 AM

Hey I like it, As a matter of fact I out in my shop right now is a similar project.
A 1937 Brazilian, Fitted with a longer length cylinder in 45 colt, a 1950 barrel I got from a forum member. It had been chopped to 4 1/2" and front sight ramp installed with a machine screw. Thing was the screw head was on top of ramp. I could have found another ramp and installed it the "normal way", But instead I simply made a recess for the screw head. Some one noted that the frame to barrel junction at the top looked off because of the round top frame at this location meeting the rib on top of the barrel. Easy fix. I just cut some rib off an old piece of barrel I had laying around with the same rib width. Machined it thin and then machined a shallow channel in the top of the frame so it would come out at same height as barrel and extend under the front of the rear sight and silver soldered the piece of rib in place and faced it off to match frame. I Have milled it for a adjustable rear sight and am waiting for a grooved rear sight assembly. Only had a non grooved model 28 sight, a new rounded front one and a couple of J frame sights in my parts pile. Pictures as soon as I get sight installed. It's not going to be pretty, very few Brazilians are. Might, bead blast it and blue it someday.

mp5guy · #23 08-20-2018, 07:50 AM

I also thought cut buffalo nickles were cool front sights.