Pawn Shop Colt 1917 (Update 01/06/2010, page 2, with pics)

whitecoyote · Oct 22, 2009

This Colt 1917 (manufactured cir. 1919) started out life as a typical Military Colt revolver. It came from a pawn shop in Columbus, OH.
The Colt was a real beater. It could barely function, and was determined to be unsafe to shoot. It was nothing more than a "wall hanger", but the revolver was solid, which made it a perfect candidate for a project gun.

I sent the Colt 1917 off to Dave Sams Sams Custom Gunworks LLC with a list of things I wanted done to the revolver. Mr. Sams said he could do it, and agreed to take on the project.

Here is what was done to the revolver. Revolver sent to Dave Sams 04/22/2009. Received back 10/22/2009.
*Tech inspection
*Build up & re-fit bolt (rebound lever contact)
*Build up & re-fit rebound lever
*Re-fit ratchet
*Install crane ball detent
*Re-time cylinder hand
*Build up & re-fit bolt (cylinder stop contact)
*Cut & re-crown barrel to 2"
*Install Colt style "half-moon" front sight & calibrate
*Shorten ejector rod & re-thread
*Action job. Smooth, polish, lighten, single & double action
*Make oversized cylinder latch & ream frame
*Straighten bent ejector rod
*Re-finish satin matte blue

The pawn Shop Colt 1917 is now good to go for another 100 years!
Now the search is on for a holster.

Before pictures:

After pictures:

mjr · Oct 22, 2009

Wow, did that clean up nice! That is one serious belly gun. I like that you left the lanyard loop on--for some reason it makes it look even more business-like.

Dennis The B · Oct 22, 2009

By golly...

...You can make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

That's an amazing transformation.

m657 · Oct 23, 2009

WOW!!!!! [Lust ON]

Texas Star · Oct 23, 2009

Have you chronographed that snub .45? I've always been curious about bullet speeds from such short barrels in .45.

And why build up all those parts instead of just replace and fit new ones? GI parts are sometimes still available, I think. Unless the areas where the parts fit were worn, this seems to be to be extra money for the gunsmith.

In his 1960 book, "Handgunner's Guide", Chic Gaylord showed a very similar gun owned by a Detective Gano in NYC. But I think it was made from a .45 Colt New Service.

T-Star

Beemerguy53 · Oct 23, 2009

Very, very nice! Congratulations to you, and thanks for posting those photos: It's always nice to see the work of a true craftsman!

2Loud4You · Oct 23, 2009

WOW, you'd never know it was the same gun!

45Wheelgun · Oct 23, 2009

Well, didn't that turn out nice.

I held that gun in its original form, it was a wreck, "unsafe" was a kind description.

Great work.

Dave

whitecoyote · Oct 23, 2009

45wheelgun said:
Well, didn't that turn out nice.

I held that gun in its original form, it was a wreck, "unsafe" was a kind description.

Great work.

Dave

Dave,
Thanks for tipping me off to the Colt!
I knew it had a lot of potential.

goldenlight · Oct 23, 2009

I can't even guess at how many hours of labor went into that truly amazing transformation.

I like the lanyard ring, too.

But, I think it still needs a nice set of grips, to finish the truly amazing transformation.

Or are you keeping the old grips, as a 'reminder' of this wonderful piece of craftsmanship's humble(!) beginnings?

If you reload, you can improve on factory ammunition velocity, by using some of the faster burning powders. But, if that ammunition was used in an older revolver with a4" or 6" barrel, the pressure may be dangerous.

I have a 2 1/2 , 4 and 6 inch 686's; (all pre lock, with beautiful factory wood; the 2 1/2" is a 686-1, and the others are 686-3's) and each has a few boxes of ammunition optimized for the different barrel lengths.

sigp220.45 · Oct 23, 2009

I love it!

If you ever have a hankering to trade it for a nice Model 58, lemme know.

willy · Oct 23, 2009

Nice gun!
I have a S&W 1917 in need of some major work.
My gun has some of the same needs yours had.
You wouldn't have a price list on the things you had done you could send me do you?

MFPD 10MM · Oct 24, 2009

I have a 1917 Colt. I really like the looks of yours. Great work.

JcMack · Oct 24, 2009

Very, Very, nice indeed! I like the original grips. Good Colt gunsmiths are not hiding behind every bush.

LOBO · Nov 4, 2009

Man, that looks great!!

whitecoyote · Jan 6, 2010

Update 01/06/2010

Since posting this thread there has been some updates to the Colt.
I added Elk Horn grips from Patrick Grashorn Home
WyattBurp made the holster, and I'm still waiting on the Tyler T grip.

Mickey D · Jan 6, 2010

Well dang you! Now I'm going to have to contact Patrick for a copy of stag for mine.

Jellybean · Jan 6, 2010

Those are very nice, and that's a nice looking holster too.

Now can I ask a question? Will a fired case completely clear the cylinder with the shortened ejector rods? Just curious.
Thanks

whitecoyote · Jan 6, 2010

Jellybean said:
Those are very nice, and that's a nice looking holster too.

Now can I ask a question? Will a fired case completely clear the cylinder with the shortened ejector rods? Just curious.
Thanks

Yes, with the moon clips, hit the ejector rod, and the casings "pop" right out.

sw1977 · Apr 28, 2010

very good job

Pawn Shop Colt 1917 (Update 01/06/2010, page 2, with pics)

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