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03-29-2021, 07:50 PM
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Civilian 1917
I bought this pistol a couple of weeks ago for under 1k it has papers no box , it was shipped in 1925 it’s in alright condition for 96 years old , and it’s a tack driver . So all you experts out there did I get taken to the bank on this .....
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03-29-2021, 08:18 PM
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Are you happy? That is the best measure. If the price was a little high, which I am not sure it was, wait a couple of years' it will be worth more than what you paid, and you will have had an extra two years of fun.
I love my military issue 1917 Smith.
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03-29-2021, 08:30 PM
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Hard to 100% say with one pic of one side (gratuitous gun porn always appreciated ), but based on just that pic I don't think so.
Military 1917s on the major internet sites are a couple hundred dollars North of $1000, and clean civilians tend to be a tad rarer. Plus almost ALL guns are moving at minimum slightly up, so if you're happy and the other side appears the same, I think you did okay.
Just my $.02, but you did ask for them.
Last edited by .357magger; 03-29-2021 at 08:31 PM.
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03-29-2021, 08:36 PM
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I wouldn’t take $1,000.00 for my commercial 1917.
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03-29-2021, 08:43 PM
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You done good...check the inside of the grip panel for a pencilled number that coulda/shoulda would if you were lucky match the serial number on the base of the frame, etc. Shooting Models of 1917 is a real pleasure and an excellent introduction to large caliber revolvers.
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03-29-2021, 08:48 PM
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I found a Commercial 1917 a couple years back and referenced some experts here on this site. These days, cost almost is irrelevant for the 1917s, condition or model. Mine turned out to be a “transition” era commercial model. I found some period correct gripson eBay and it’s now one of my very favorite S&Ws. I give a thumbs up to yours! Do a search on 1917 commercial and find that thread where I asked questions about it. There are some super smart 1917 collectors on this forum, god bless ‘em all. From what I can see in your picture, that looks like a good one!
Here my commercial 1917, next to my grandfathers Colt Government model.
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03-29-2021, 08:51 PM
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I'd like to see more pictures of the 1917. But, it is probably worth at least 2x what you paid for it, IMO.
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03-30-2021, 09:01 AM
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My take is you got a good deal. I am out of the loop on what they go for now, but the Commercial Variation does sell for more than wartime production, usually anyways.
The finish on that one looks a "dry" and scratched to me. A little wax will improve its looks immensely. You can thank me later.
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03-30-2021, 09:58 AM
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I have two .45 Hand Ejector, Model of 1917 (Commercial Version) and agree with Wiregrassguy's estimate of value. The serial number of my two are 179459 and 180632. Do a search on the internet and you will find a statement there were only 1,200 produced. It is an interesting story about how they came about. The S&W plant for the manufacture of the Model of 1917 Military revolvers was taken over by the US Government during WWI. After the war it was returned to S&W and there were negotiations of the materials and completed parts in stock. Those material and parts were used to produce many of the Commercial Version revolvers. The oldest of my two even has some components with Govt. proof marks. I have not found any on my newer revovlver.
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03-30-2021, 10:41 AM
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This is one of my commercial 1917's. It was one of 93 shipped to the Denver Police Department in 1932 as mentioned in the Standard Catalog of S&W and validated by Roy Jinks. IMO, the finish is exceptional for a LEO gun and my pictures do not do it justice.
Scott, let's see some more pictures of the 1917 you stole...and SHAME on you for taking advantage of some poor slob...
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03-30-2021, 11:05 AM
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My 1917 is also a commercial from 1937.
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03-30-2021, 11:22 AM
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To my not-so-trained-eye, the finish on the OP gun looks original. That is a huge plus, value-wise.
From LamarW:
"The S&W plant for the manufacture of the Model of 1917 Military revolvers was taken over by the US Government during WWI. After the war it was returned to S&W and there were negotiations of the materials and completed parts in stock. Those material and parts were used to produce many of the Commercial Version revolvers. The oldest of my two even has some components with Govt. proof marks."
I think to say that the above events created some animosity between the US Government and S&W would be putting it mildly. I don't remember all the particulars, but the US was very heavy-handed about this and forced S&W to take back a lot of spare parts / partially finished guns. IIRC, S&W had to eat the cost. As late as 1946, S&W still had a boat-load of these spares sitting around, enough to build 12,000 to sell to Brazil.
I have a couple of these '46 Brazilians which I consider to be the equivalent of the Commercial Variations. Well, I can think what I want, right?
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03-30-2021, 11:42 AM
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The same guy that sold me the commercial 17 also has one of these , what do you guys think?
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03-30-2021, 12:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M1a1scott
The same guy that sold me the commercial 17 also has one of these , what do you guys think?
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Looks like that Brazilian is in exceptional condition. What does he want for it? I don't think you could go wrong buying it.
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03-30-2021, 12:42 PM
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A 1936 Brazilian in pretty good original finish but with the wrong grips. I see $875 on the paper. If it had the original grips, it might be in the ballpark under the current buying situation. But, it is overpriced without original grips, IMO.
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03-30-2021, 03:07 PM
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If its as good inside as it looks on the outside thats a nice Brazilian, I rarely see them in that condition. I'm a fan, that one looks too nice to molest. I'll admit to have molested a Brazilian, to me they are like the Model 28's when the market was flooded and they were a dime a dozen.
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03-30-2021, 04:57 PM
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Here's one that someone Parkerized before I got it. Love the grips that number to the gun.
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03-30-2021, 06:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy
A 1936 Brazilian in pretty good original finish but with the wrong grips. I see $875 on the paper. If it had the original grips, it might be in the ballpark under the current buying situation. But, it is overpriced without original grips, IMO.
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If it is from the 1946 shipment, I understand some of those had smooth WW I grips.
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03-30-2021, 06:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lamarw
I have two .45 Hand Ejector, Model of 1917 (Commercial Version) and agree with Wiregrassguy's estimate of value. The serial number of my two are 179459 and 180632. Do a search on the internet and you will find a statement there were only 1,200 produced. It is an interesting story about how they came about. The S&W plant for the manufacture of the Model of 1917 Military revolvers was taken over by the US Government during WWI. After the war it was returned to S&W and there were negotiations of the materials and completed parts in stock. Those material and parts were used to produce many of the Commercial Version revolvers. The oldest of my two even has some components with Govt. proof marks. I have not found any on my newer revovlver.
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Do you have shipping date on #180632? I own #180692 and it shipped in January 1936.
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03-30-2021, 07:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
If it is from the 1946 shipment, I understand some of those had smooth WW I grips.
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But, did those have the 1937 Brazilian crest on the sideplate?
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Last edited by Wiregrassguy; 03-30-2021 at 07:32 PM.
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03-30-2021, 07:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
Do you have shipping date on #180632? I own #180692 and it shipped in January 1936.
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No, I do not. It might be a good candidate for a ship date from Mr. Jinks.
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03-30-2021, 08:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy
But, did those have the 1937 Brazilian crest on the sideplate?
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I believe revolvers from both decades used the same stamp.
Kevin
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03-30-2021, 10:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
If it is from the 1946 shipment, I understand some of those had smooth WW I grips.
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One of my Brazilians has similar stocks, numbered to the gun. Lee Jarrett commented that this type stocks would have been the easiest for S&W to manufacture in 1946 if they ran short on stocks when filling the order.
My other Brazilian has has dished early WWI stocks, which were obviously left over from 1918. My takeaway from this is that S&W just used whatever stocks they could find and when they ran out, they made up something simple that would fit.
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04-01-2021, 05:53 PM
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OP, I have the twin to yours..right down to the scratches on the sideplate. They both must have ridden in similar holsters. This one shipped in 1921.
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04-04-2021, 04:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
Do you have shipping date on #180632? I own #180692 and it shipped in January 1936.
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Mr. Jinks informed me yesterday it was February 1930.
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04-04-2021, 05:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lamarw
Mr. Jinks informed me yesterday it was February 1930.
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The Serial Numbers for 1917's must be all over the place as far as sequence of manufacture/shipped. I have # 184505 (all 5 numbers match) that I bought in 2016. It has been refinished. Of course a letter is the best way to get an exact date. I have been trying to date mine w/o getting a letter. Page 193 of SCSW 4th in discussing Brazilians would indicate mine would likely would have been in the Serial Number range of the Brazilian shipment of 1938 BUT the side plate does not have the crest. On page 493 SCSW 4th under Appendix C: Change Dates and Markings. "1933: Hammer block safety mounted in the sideplate was added to the 1917 Army at about #185,000. I pulled the sideplate on mine yesterday but don't have any idea what the hammer block looks like.
All the recent 1917 posts have me researching past threads and posts. Is there a definitive listing of 1917 dates / serial numbers anywhere?
Last edited by VaTom; 04-04-2021 at 05:36 PM.
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04-04-2021, 06:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lamarw
Mr. Jinks informed me yesterday it was February 1930.
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Most of the ones with numbers close to mine shipped in 1929-31. Mine must have been waaaay back in the vault.
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04-04-2021, 06:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
Most of the ones with numbers close to mine shipped in 1929-31. Mine must have been waaaay back in the vault.
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I was thinking the same.
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04-08-2021, 11:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lamarw
I have two .45 Hand Ejector, Model of 1917 (Commercial Version) and agree with Wiregrassguy's estimate of value. The serial number of my two are 179459 and 180632.
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lamarw I have serial number 179479
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04-08-2021, 07:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 45B10
lamarw I have serial number 179479
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Like you stated, our two are within 20 of each other. Here is a picture of 179459. It came out of and estate of a collector from Des Moines, Iowa. It would of been produced prior to 1926, but I do not have a ship date.
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04-08-2021, 09:41 PM
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Mines 177939 with some WWI inspector marks. i think I paid around $900 about 6 months ago. Felt the price was fair. Solid lock-up and timing, but much finish wear. I went back through a lot of these 1917 threads when I got it a guesstimated mid-1920's. But only a letter will tell the story. Now that I know some shipped to Denver PD, it might be worth it. And didn't LAPD authorize the 1917 in the 20's? Mines beat-up just enough to be an old cop gun. Shot little, but holstered and handled a lot. Someone even notched the front sight and added orange nail polish. I have the original grips, but added these faux stag.
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