1917 What do I have?
I recently picked up a Smith and Wesson 1917 that has lots of military indications but also has a civilian S&W insignia on the right side plate. (In case you cannot tell from the photo, the right side insignia is definitely S&W, not Brazilian.) The butt shows US Army Model 1917 150683. That number is also on the bottom of the barrel and the rear face of the cylinder. The crane has the number 22600, and that number is also on the frame in the crane cutout. The gun has a flaming bomb on the upper left rear of the frame. In three locations I see a little symbol that I understand might be an eagle, and under that symbol is S24 in one location and S2 in two other locations. The stocks are smooth walnut that appear to be military style, but they do not match this gun. On the inside of one stock is a pencil number that I cannot completely read, but it appears to be in the 30,000 range. On the right side of the barrel are two symbols that I cannot interpret and the letters NP.
My camera is not great at extreme close ups, so I don’t have photos of some of these details. I could try to take close up pictures if that is necessary.
My guess is that this was a military gun made during WW1, and it went through some rehabilitation process after 1920 when the right side plate was changed for some reason and replacement stocks were installed.
The finish seems to be original and is mostly in decent condition for its age.
Is this a decent collectable, or just a shooter with minimal historical interest? Would I gain anything by lettering it?
Last edited by cjwils; 05-12-2018 at 01:47 AM.
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