This is a 4" model 17-3, pinned & recessed, SN 1K5984. Someone told me that these only came with 6" barrels. Do I have something rare? Any idea as to worth? Age? Thanks

Bad lighting in the photo. The bluing looks much better in person. Also thats the color of the case hardening on the hammer, not a rust spot.

I suspect that is actually a Model 18 mismarked as a 17. With so many models built on the same frame that actually happens quite frequently and doesn't affect value one way or the other although some sellers try to ask more for their "rare, mismarked" guns.

The 17 usually has a 6" heavy barrel and the 18 usually has a 4" lightweight tapered barrel. Your gun looks like an 18.

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The Ser # you list makes it a 1970 production. Do the grips match this #? Those diamond grips look to be from a earlier Model 18. Nice gun that I would not mind owning Kyle

Noticed the pre-1968 stocks as well. I like to add them to my guns when the original magna stocks are missing.

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That looks like an 18 to me. The 4" 17 didn't have the tapered barrel and rib. Product code 100508. 17-4 introduced in 1986 with 4" heavy barrel to replace mdl. 18. From SCSW second edition page 136.

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I pulled the stocks just now, no serial numbers or any other markings on them. Would that make them replacement stocks? The barrel doesen't look tapered. I wonder if the barrel was switched from a 6" to a 4"?

I have a 17-2 with a 4". This was my dads and I dont know the history of it. I think it was bought in the late 1960's. So I would guess he bought it used and with the 4" barrel.

It seems to me that the barrel was replaced because the pin looks played with.



The stocks are not original and I never had the box or any thing else.

My serial is K6112XX

The grips are not original to the gun. They pre-date the gun.
They most likely would not be marked as Targets seldom were.

That is indeed the tapered barrel. If you compare it to a Heavy Barrel model the difference is obvious.

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I agree, it's most likely a mismarked 18. As szuppo said, most target stocks weren't serial numbered. Yes, the gun is 1970, the stocks pre '68. You have a nice 22! I really like the 4 inchers, and hope to have one some day!

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Misty

Looks just like my 18-3, Ser#17K43xx. The most I have paid for any revolver but worth every penny of it. That said, prices in general have peaked and are going south here on the forum and the auction sites and a lot more horsetrading on this site.

VFeldman, Your gun is most likely a mismarked Model 18,
If you look closely at the front edge of the top of the frame where it meets the barrel you will notice your frame is slightly milled back,

The Model 17 frame has flat square edges.

Now compare the edges on the other gun posted by Wheelgun28,

His gun has the square edges of a Model 17 frame but with a Model 18 barrel.

4" barrel Model 17's do exist,
As the factory was eliminating the Model 18 line I believe in the dash 4 and 5 series the 4" Model 17 was born.
The 4" Model 17 is most easily recognized by its heavier barrel with wide top rib as shown in this picture belonging to member Hammerdown shows.



Both Model 18 and 17 are equally awesome guns with not too much of a price difference unless you get into rare hard to find varients..

My feeling is that there were less model 18's made than 17's so the Model 18 is a bit more hard to find.

Although many people advertise mismarked guns as "Rare or hard to find" in order to raise the asking price....
The fact that your gun is mismarked does not add any premium to its value IMHO.
Hope this helps.

I know where a 4" mdl. 17 is. I maybe able to purchase it later this year.

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They also made the 4 incher 17 in a full lug version later.

Ok so this got me curious about my Pre -17 's (1947 and 1952) Neither of them have the square edges, there both rounded. When did the rounded edges on the frames start? Any ideas? Sure can learn a lot here and spend an equal amount on a hobbyThanks, Kyle

I see that the OPs gun does not have a TH or TT. Makes it more likely that its a mismarked 18

Heres some more bad photos of mine

Both of my late "Pre" models (a 4 and a 5 screw) have the havier barrel with wide short rib but
early post WWII 5 screw pre Model 17's had a slightly tapered barrel with narrow raised rib like this one.

My guess is the narrow rib guns had their frames milled to match the barrel contour as with the model 18.

Although nothing is absolute with S&W Later pre Model 17's and Model marked guns should have the heavy barrel with wide rib,

Older K frame 22's have an even different appearance like this early K22 Outdoorsman


As for full lug Model 17's they are called 17-6's and appear in 4", 6" and 8 3/8" blued barrels.

They also made a few 17-6 models with no lug.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-...7-6-no-lug.jpg

A 17-6 no lug 4" heavy barrel....Interesting,

Could have been they found a few left over 4" no lug barrels and mounted them to a 17-6 stamped frames or that they mistamped one of the last 17-5's as a 17-6.

As with every other Smith there are "Transitional models" with features of both transitions,

Dont you think the 17 in question was more likely a 17-2 that someone wanted a 4" so they put a model 18 barrel on it. It appears the barrel pin has been in and out, easiest/ cheapest way to make it a 4". IMO
Im sure that S/W just used up the barrels on 17-5 and 17-6's until they had full lugged barrels. Or as they saw fit, as usual who knows. Bob
ADD/ WHOA, sorry thought Wheelgun 28s was the gun we were talking about, Funny, but if the rare 745/17-22cal is for sale I might be interested.

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