Model 1917 Value

bigmark1 · #1 01-21-2010, 11:52 PM

I have a model 1917 US Army in very good condition. Trying to find a value. 95% blue. Nicer than anything I've seen for 1500-2000.

bamabiker · #2 01-22-2010, 12:34 AM

Welcome to the forum. Pictures would really help and we all like to see them. The best 1917 I ever saw in person was in a local shop priced at $1600. It looked like new. It is not there any more.

gjamison · #3 01-22-2010, 07:27 AM

it also depends on the serial number and the correct grips. the earlyer the serial number the more it's worth. i just bought one 2 weeks ago,paid $600. ser# 27000 range condition is 90+%. post pics that would also help...

james56 · #4 01-22-2010, 03:19 PM

Pic's Please

bigmark1 · #5 01-22-2010, 11:07 PM

Trying to add some pictures.

james56 · #6 01-22-2010, 11:20 PM

Very nice hope you enjoy it as I do my 2, M-1917's
james

guzzi · #7 01-23-2010, 02:20 AM

OK, got this question attached to this thread. I purchased this 1917 in the early 1980's from a local gun shop for 75.00 Local lore says it belonged to an African American who served in WW2 with merit. He came home and in the 1950's, thru the NRA, purchased this gun and had it smithed with a slanted front sight and the nicest early N frame trigger pull I have ever had. By the time I found it, there was not a speck of blueing anywhere on it, rode most of its remaining life in the glove box of a pickup truck. I brought it home, stripped it down and cleaned the heck out of it and went to the local range. She shot like a dream. Several years later I glass beaded it and had it electro nickel plated. Question: Due to the values on on this gun, should I strip it, buff it and blue it with the original grips or should I keep it as the house gun I have enjoyed for many years??

jb

james56 · #8 01-23-2010, 09:21 AM

Mine were already refinished. The one with stag's was over polished and and the hamer and trigger were blued, which should not be done. This was purchase in an online live auction at Proxiebud.com and bidders were informed of the over polish which is why I got it real cheap. The second I purchase though a Estate and has some really good provenance to it . It was also reblued by S&W in 1979 and lettered, and look's brand new. this one I will not shoot anymore, I think? not sure yet but the 1st one mentioned will definitely be a shooter. They are both real fun to shoot. Both came with very smooth trigger's.
As to, should you reblue or not, thats up to you but I must say it sure looks fine just the way it is by what I can see in the photos. I'm by no way an expert very new to collecting and learning alot here from the guy's in the forum, there great people. What most on here say, the value has been lowerd just because our gun's were reblued? I agree with them as for the one I own that was over polished, It was a poor job, the blueing is great like a brand new S&W. But just not done like the S&W factory reblue.

Any how, I hope you enjoy it either way you decide. If you do reblue, we all would still like to see the results.
Thanks
james

murphydog · #9 01-23-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guzzi

OK, got this question attached to this thread. I purchased this 1917 in the early 1980's from a local gun shop for 75.00 Local lore says it belonged to an African American who served in WW2 with merit. He came home and in the 1950's, thru the NRA, purchased this gun and had it smithed with a slanted front sight and the nicest early N frame trigger pull I have ever had. By the time I found it, there was not a speck of blueing anywhere on it, rode most of its remaining life in the glove box of a pickup truck. I brought it home, stripped it down and cleaned the heck out of it and went to the local range. She shot like a dream. Several years later I glass beaded it and had it electro nickel plated. Question: Due to the values on on this gun, should I strip it, buff it and blue it with the original grips or should I keep it as the house gun I have enjoyed for many years??

jb

Hi, if it shoots well and you like the way it looks, in my opinion there is no need for another refinish. It will not be more valuable to a collector-type if reblued. I would enjoy it as it is.

murphydog · #10 01-23-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmark1

Trying to add some pictures.

Hi, from the photos it is difficult to tell if it has been refinished, or if it has the original polished blue. If original, I would agree with the low four-figure value. Do you see swirl marks or uneven bluing, blurred stampings, no or less than expected case hardening color on the hammer/trigger?

bigmark1 · #11 01-24-2010, 12:34 PM

It's never been refinished. Everything looks good. I have an offer of $1250. I'm going to set up and take better pictures if the sun ever comes out here in Kansas City. I'll post them on my website and attach a link. Thanks

bigmark1 · #12 01-25-2010, 03:25 PM

Go to this website for more pictures and a wild bear hunting story.
Outdoor Adventures & Misadventures

james56 · #13 01-25-2010, 05:02 PM

I wouldnt sell it for that, Ive seen M1917's in no way near that shape and I do beleive yours is in original condtion after seeing your blog. Theres one somewhere, cannot remember where on the interenet going for $1595.00 and has to be around the same condition. But then again Looking on here at photos isnt no where near an in person inspection. Shes a beauty.. Good Luck with here
james

bananaman · #14 01-25-2010, 07:44 PM

Guzzi, your gun is a beauty!!! I wouldn't do a thing to it!! ( for what my opinion is worth) Bob

guzzi · #15 01-25-2010, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bananaman

Guzzi, your gun is a beauty!!! I wouldn't do a thing to it!! ( for what my opinion is worth) Bob

Thanks Bob! This last weekend I had a chance to go and fire it since I posted here, it made me want to shoot it. 230gr Blazer brass seemed hot in this old gun but the ejector star carried the moon clips out ok. Next was my plastic bottom feeder load, 5 gr of Titegroup with 230 gr FMJ. Too damn hot, could hardly get ejection due to case swelling. Will reload with some Unique powder with lead round nose .451 diameter ammo and give it another try. My Grandfather was pictured with one in 1918 as he embarked on the journey across the Atlantic to England. This is what prompted me to purchase what I found in the gun shop. The war ended when he touched British soil and he was discharged 4 months later, sans his 1917. I still have his and my grandmother's china hutch with all the memories of life when it was good, and so were people.

jb

bigmark1 · #16 01-29-2010, 09:39 AM

I'm ready to let my 1917 go for $1500. Anyone interested?

45lcnut · #17 09-30-2013, 06:27 AM

I have one of these and mine is in the 14000 serial range with serrated hammer and major George proof stamp. somewhere long ago in its life mother of pearl grips were added and it spent the last 50 years as the under the cash register gun in a gas station in texas. no finish left what so ever but thankfully smooth action, tight lockup, no rust and the barrel is immaculate. 1500 would not buy this gun. I have owned and shot several of these over the years but the ones available for sale now are usually worn out and just butchered beyond belief. knowing the history of this gun and its condition, I am afraid I might not stumble onto another one in this condition, so it now has a spot in my N frame collection.