I found this at a store this weekend and thought the price was good ($499) so I bought it. I like King guns but usually buy Colts. I hope I did OK on the price given the reblue is obvious and the grips are all wrong.

It's my only S&W. I've owned 2 others, since sold. In came in this neat little custom box. The box has a little compartment with a metal oiler in it.

Which is the serial # for it? The tiny one on the crane?

Edit: I should add that the DA feels amazing to me. It's super light and should be readable on my gauge. SA is good, light but with some takeup.

Oh you poor, misguided soul, they saw you coming and took advantage of your innocence... NOT!

I was thinking of making a joking offer to buy it from you, but the fact is, it was a super bargain. You couldn’t duplicate the package in modern terms for twice that price.

I don’t recognize those grips, but they look like quality from the pictures. The box is obviously aftermarket, but very well done. Overall a very nice package. Congratulations.

Green Frog

PS Serial # is 55353 from the butt... that’s the only one that really counts.

Welcome to the Forum.

The butt number, 55353, is the serial number. On Colt 1917s, the number stamped on the frame, behind the crane, is the SN.

For Colt, 1917s are included in the New Service serial number range. S&W chose to assign a separate SN range to their 1917 revolvers.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks for the info!

I bought a pack of moon clips and hope to reload some 45 for it before this weekend. Does anyone have an approximate date for that serial?

U.S. Military Dates of Manufacture
May 1918
Regards, Ray

Good for you, as was mentioned someone would willingly pay twice that price even considering the less than factory quality refinish, no idea how bad the piece looked before King worked on it. I've owned a couple King modified firearms and have never been let down on the quality of work. One of revolvers I still kick myself for trading away was a Colt Officer's Match .38 with full King treatment, my Model 52 will outshoot that revolver even with my old eyes but it was a sweetheart all the same.

This "all wrong grips" are
S&W N-Frame s.b. Rhomlas fi.-gr. closed back, sim. Ph.Hemphill-SW026PHG8

So obviously you got this nice revolver (+ King modifications & case !)
for under $ 300

Congrats to that !


P.44
...it could be the pic, but I would check the sideplate-screws
(especially the one in front of/above the trigger)

Im not a fan of modified guns, but I would have bought that one. I am a huge fan of 45acp revolvers. Enjoy it.

Wonderful!

Guy

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Yes, the grips are very nice Karl Nill grips. They are very popular amongst target shooters. They are also very expensive. The fit to the hand is always excellent, assuming you choose the right size for you.

The grips do feel really good. They are super modern looking but the grain is nice. Now I just have to steal back the decapping pin from the die I put it in so I can use my 45 dies and load up some ammo. I got a pack of moon clips at the shop.

Ultimately more period correct grips would be nice to find, with wear to match the gun.

Very nice gun, always thought the 1917’s made a nice looking target gun. The grips are at least 200-250.00. Great package at a great price, Larry

King modified guns are always interesting imo. I wouldn't be surprised if trigger work was also done when the sights were. But then again 100 years of burnishing will produce great trigger pulls too.

You got a great deal. The Nills sell for around $190 new so there's a chunk of change if you want to convert back to more period era grips. If you price in the custom box, the term for your deal is...YOU STOLE IT. Congratulations.

Thanks for sharing it. That would be a model I'd love to own.

articule from Guns + Ammo Jan. 1961 [ when it was still a 1st. quality gun magazine ] - + more info at -https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/09/04/wheelgun-wednesday-target-conversion-of-a-sw-m1917-revolver/

Attached Images

1917.jpg (139.6 KB, 43 views)

If you shoot that piece with the Nills in place you will find it will be a true pleasure and in all honesty very difficult to outshoot with anything else. Square butt targets work for me but just don't look right on the early N-frames, I have to agree. But if you want to squeeze the accuracy out of the old girl with all its King improvements the Nills will be hard to replace...if you just keep them to shoot and nothing more and get a set of factory stocks for the case.
p.s. You stole that thing, Lucky Pierre...

The SA trigger breaks right about 3.5 pounds. It's good compared to the best I have but just a bit below those.

The DA is over 8 pounds as that is the max on my gauge but it readily jumps to the next cylinder once you get past the first bit of resistance.