I dropped into a LGS I hadn't been to for a while, and noticed what appears to be one of the Lew Horton Heritage series reissues of the 1917 .45 ACP revolver. Nice piece! Unfortunately, the owner was busy writing up a sale and I didn't have the time to look at it in detail...get the s/n, see what kind of box, etc.

The thing that has me wondering is that it's factory finished in nickel, with checkered grips. The "Standard Catalog" lists these as being made in case colors, commercial, and military blues, but no mention is made of nickel. How rare a piece is this in nickel?
What would a good price be in NIB condition?

Any chance this piece could have been one of the 'regular production' Model 22 of 1917 guns? These were made in nickel.

This is a "Classic" edition. I don't know if it is considered regular production. It has the lock. I payed $770 a few years ago. It is fun to shoot. The stocks with hurt your hand after about 25 rounds.

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The 4" "Classics" series guns had a limited number made in nickel.

The 5.5" I've only seen blued or blue/color case frame.

I'll have to check it out more thoroughly. I'm pretty sure it was a 5.5" example...I'll have to see if it has that extra hole next to the cylinder release!

Hey Rick, i've seen nickel 5.5" bbl 1917s on Gunbroker.

According to my memory and the postings here, I believe the piece to be a "classic" nickel M1917 with the 5.5" bbl. It seems to be identical to the GB item that kaaskop49 references. Next question(s):

1) anybody know how many of these were produced, either overall or in nickel?

2) what would a "gotta buy it" price be?

3) I know there are plugs made to fill the lock hole. Are they made in nickel?

Thanks for the help from all of you...

I can tell you that the plug is not made in nickel, but the stainless version can be polished to (almost) match.

From what I've seen most of these guns tend to sell for $800-$900.