Questions on a 1917?

[SouthNarc]

Good morning all.

I just acquired this 1917 and I’m curious about exactly what it is.

I know it’s not a military issued revolver but it seems like some of the markings are off especially compared to the serial number.

Largo logo on the side plate but it has the bomb and bird/eagle thing on the frame. No U.S property stamp on the underside of the barrel and the serial number on the butt is 81333 with no “S”

Here are some photos.

 

[SouthNarc]

Looks like it went back to the factory for a re-blue

 

[SouthNarc]

Also these are not the grips that came with it but would they be period correct?

 

[chiefdave]

I have one much the same. Reworked 11/54 and the side plate logo was likely added at that time. Stocks on yours are 30's style service. The S/N may have beer restamped during rework. The flaming bomb and eagles head proofs show it started life as a US service revolver.

 

[SouthNarc]

It’s a handsome shooter.

 

[Muley Gil]

Do the numbers under the barrel and on the cylinder match the butt SN?

 

[SouthNarc]

Do the numbers under the barrel and on the cylinder match the butt SN?

Yes sir they do. Also I see an “S” on the one under the barrel.

 

[Alk8944]

During the 1920-1930s there were many commercial 2nd and 3rd Model .44 HE built on frames manufactured during WWI that already had the acceptance/inspectors marks on them. The pictured gun was refinished at the factory in July 1976 apparently. The R-S in a cartouche designates re-finish-standard, which was blue. The 776 on the front left of the grip frame are the date the gun was serviced. The large S&W logo on the sideplate was roll-marked when the gun was serviced/re-finished.

Is the frame top still rounded side-to-side, or is it flattened? It should be rounded. I had a 15,000 SN range 5" 2nd Model re-finished in 1974 and the polisher flattened the top of the frame, reducing the rear sight depth by about 1/2 normal depth. They added the sideplate logo at the same time. The logo was actually so high on the sideplate that it nearly overlapped the top edge of the sideplate. Basically they destroyed the guns value! It was so bad that I couldn't stand the sight of it and sold it soon after receiving it from the factory!

For those complaining about current service turn-around times I left this revolver at the factory in July, 1974, and didn't get it (and 5 others) back until May 1975.

 

[Muley Gil]

Does it have a hammer block? You should be able to see it as you cock the hammer.

My GUESS is that 81333 was a SN that wasn't used during WW I OR a regular N frame SN was assigned, rather than a SN from the 1917 series of numbers. I'm also guessing that it was assembled post WW II.

 

[SouthNarc]

Does it have a hammer block? You should be able to see it as you cock the hammer.

My GUESS is that 81333 was a SN that wasn't used during WW I OR a regular N frame SN was assigned, rather than a SN from the 1917 series of numbers. I'm also guessing that it was assembled post WW II.

Here’s a pic with the hammer cocked

 

[Hondo44]

We can’t see the hammer block safety in a still photo with hammer cocked, you have to watch for it to move in and out from the right side of the hammer channel as you slowly raise and lower the hammer.

If you look up the serial number in the military website you’ll likely find the serial number. I have never seen a commercial model 1917 built with the inspection stamps visible on the exterior surface. When surplus WWI frames were used, only interior stamps can be seen.

I also believe it was a military issue 1917 refinished at the factory which restamps the serial number on replaced parts to match the gun like the barrel; the S stands for service dept. The butt military marking was removed and restamped parallel to the grip frame in the commercial protocol.

Look for a stamped serial number on the back side of the right grip panel that doesn’t match the gun.

 

[SouthNarc]

We can’t see the hammer block safety in a still photo with hammer cocked, you have to watch for it to move in and out from the right side of the hammer channel as you slowly raise and lower the hammer.

If you look up the serial number in the military website you’ll likely find the serial number. I have never seen a commercial model 1917 built with the inspection stamps visible on the exterior surface. When surplus WWI frames were used, only interior stamps can be seen.

I also believe it was a military issue 1917 refinished at the factory which restamps the serial number on replaced parts to match the gun like the barrel; the S stands for service dept. The butt military marking was removed and and restamped parallel to the grip frame in the commercial protocol.

Look for a stamped serial number on the back side of the right grip panel that doesn’t match the gun.

I can't see anything move inside the hammer channel when slowly cocking the gun.

Also the grips that came with it were a pair of the fake plastic stag things so I don't have the "original-original" grips.

 

[SouthNarc]

Super interesting.

Dr. Jinks just informed me that this revolver shipped July of 1918.