Let's see your U.S. Model 1917 S&Ws!

sodacan · #**351** 10-22-2015, 04:22 PM

Is it me, or do all of these revolvers look alike?????

Muddyboot · #**352** 10-23-2015, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sodacan

Is it me, or do all of these revolvers look alike?????

Not all of them....

Derry 1946 · #**353** 11-15-2015, 09:23 PM

Muddyboot, have you fired that beautiful snubby? I'd be interested to know how it handles. :-)

Muddyboot · #**354** 11-16-2015, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derry 1946

Muddyboot, have you fired that beautiful snubby? I'd be interested to know how it handles. :-)

Yes, I've put around 300 rounds through it...It shoots very well, I have not fired it for distance. My local indoor range is only 50 feet....It does not like HP ammo, not sure why. A very fun revolver to shoot, to bad they never came this way from the factory.

Derry 1946 · #**355** 11-16-2015, 10:01 AM

Thanks. An amazing artifact. I've never seen one like it, and it's so expertly crafted it looks factory-original. Enjoy!

helilogger · #**356** 03-05-2018, 11:12 PM

Had a nice range session today with my February 1918 production M1917. Shot great and functioned flawlessly. What a joy!

SN 197xx US Army marked, GHS, "UNITED STATES PROPERTY", all numbers match. 85-90% bluing. Appears all original.

Toyman · #**357** 03-06-2018, 01:46 AM

I am late to this thread. My 1917 serial 7973 with grooved hammer and concave top grips.

Hondo44 · #**358** 03-06-2018, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sodacan

Is it me, or do all of these revolvers look alike?????

Not all. My M1917 .45 ACP, converted to target with a pre war post 1934 2 screw S&W Reg Mag rear site with serrated hump, milled in by Micro Site.

Redfield front site blade milled in. Micro Site double cockeyed hammer. Serrated factory target trigger.

S&W stocks are early 1950s smooth ‘cokes’. Every bit as “factory” as a factory rework can be. Even to the point of not flattening the rebound slide pin protruding on the left side of the frame when re-blued!

S&W early 1950s factory smooth ‘cokes’:

Custom ‘Micro-Site’ copy of the King Gunworks double cockeyed target hammer.

digi-shots · #**359** 03-06-2018, 10:04 AM

I think this might have been posted already... but "photo-bucket" ate it up!

Gunnut.38 · #**360** 11-11-2018, 12:10 PM

Here is a picture of mine. Bought it from a local pawn shop a couple of years ago. My best guess is it was re-barreled with a model 1950 barrel and re-blued at sometime in it's life. The serial number is 1245XX and all the serial numbers match except the barrel that has no numbers. The barrel is marked on the left side SMITH & WESSON. On the right side it is stamped .45 MODEL 1950 . The barrel has been cut away to accommodate the mushroom head on the extractor rod. It has flaming bomb, ST2, and ST21 proof marks on the frame. All of the stampings are crisp and not buffed out. There are not any factory rework stamps on the grip frame , so who ever did this, did a professional job. It wears a modified set of K frame grips. Minimal wear and it is a great shooter.

Hondo44 · #**361** 11-12-2018, 12:07 AM

Gunnut.38,

Nicely done and nice gun!

They're N frame grips. Can modify N frame to fit K frame but not the reverse. They'd have to be "stretched" across the top.

How does you your cyl open, nice and easy and smooth?

I ask because the extractor rod is just a bit long; the front lock bolt in the barrel lug is really sticking out.

g-dad · #**362** 11-12-2018, 01:22 AM

What a great thread! Don't know how I missed it.

Here's my 1917 shipped this month 100 years ago.

Gunnut.38 · #**363** 11-12-2018, 11:18 AM

Yes Hondo44 it does open smoothly. The locking bolt locks and unlocks into the extractor rod correctly. They must have used one that was a little to long. I never noticed that before.

huthike · #**364** 11-17-2018, 09:38 PM

Nice thread - here's mine.

Ray · #**365** 12-19-2018, 08:49 PM

Sorry for being so late at this grand old party . I´ve posted this brazilian elsewhere in this forum, but here it goes again. It´s from the second batch of the brazilian contract, delivered in 1946. Waiting for the transfer to go through.

Regards, Ray

tenntex32 · #**366** 12-19-2018, 09:22 PM

I call this one "Old Doublestamp". I like to think it was so good they had to mark it twice.

Dale

lestert357 · #**367** 12-19-2018, 10:11 PM

Ironic for me that this thread resurfaced a few days after obtaining the below pictured DA 45 Model 1917 Army - it’s serial# 1514 which was in the first production run and shipped from the factory during November 1917 according to Mr. Jinks.

tenntex32 · #**368** 12-19-2018, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lestert357

Ironic that this thread resurfaced a few days after obtaining the below pictured DA 45 Model 1917 Army - it’s serial# 1514 which was in the first production run and shipped from the factory during November 1917 according to Mr. Jinks.

Terry, I think it's been refinished. Maybe you could send it to me for a proper inspection?

Dale

BillyMagg · #**369** 01-03-2019, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Sorry for being so late at this grand old party . I´ve posted this brazilian elsewhere in this forum, but here it goes again. It´s from the second batch of the brazilian contract, delivered in 1946. Waiting for the transfer to go through.

Regards, Ray

Oh my, that is a Sweety Ray! Woooo We! that's classy, and some history there brother!

lestert357 · #**370** 06-18-2019, 08:09 AM

Time to post another one on this thread. Serial# 136103 shipped in November 1918 according to Roy and he also stated “It is interesting as it was shipped to a Military Camp and not to the Springfield Armory. May have some history”. I’m awaiting the factory letter. This was a GB buy for $918 shipped and the gun is near mint!

dennis g · #**371** 06-18-2019, 09:41 AM

photo (71).JPG

photo (72).JPGHere's mine. I only paid $20 for it, so I don't feel too bad.

shep854 · #**372** 06-18-2019, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis g

Attachment 401369

Attachment 401370Here's mine. I only paid $20 for it, so I don't feel too bad.

That looks nice. I would like to get a 3in 'bulldog' conversion. They look handy and well-balanced.

Hondo44 · #**373** 06-18-2019, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis g

Attachment 401369

Attachment 401370Here's mine. I only paid $20 for it, so I don't feel too bad.

Can't possibly go wrong at that price!! That's a true steal.

For that price it's worth soldering a decent front sight on it and rebluing the barrel and cyl again to match!

Muley Gil · #**374** 06-18-2019, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis g

Attachment 401369

Attachment 401370Here's mine. I only paid $20 for it, so I don't feel too bad.

Wanna triple yore money??

BC38 · #**375** 06-18-2019, 11:11 PM

Thanks for resurrecting this thread guys, somehow I never saw this one before.

After looking through 8 pages of mostly nice examples, I'll submit my entry for the ugliest prize.

This old 1917 Commercial has been bumper chromed over rust pitting, PLUS bored for 45 Colt and had a slightly longer hammer nose installed.

Mechanically solid with a shiny bore and sharp rifling, and it shoots both 45 Colt and 45 ACP just fine.

Quanah · #**376** 06-19-2019, 12:24 AM

I've always had a soft spot for old nickeled six shooters, BC.

Here's my old 37 Brazilian, after I straightened the front sight up a tad. Six of my 230 grain flat point loads at 25 yards.

shep854 · #**377** 06-19-2019, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC38

Thanks for resurrecting this thread guys, somehow I never saw this one before.

After looking through 8 pages of mostly nice examples, I'll submit my entry for the ugliest prize.

This old 1917 Commercial has been bumper chromed over rust pitting, PLUS bored for 45 Colt and had a slightly longer hammer nose installed.

Mechanically solid with a shiny bore and sharp rifling, and it shoots both 45 Colt and 45 ACP just fine.

There’s also .45 Auto Rim!

BC38 · #**378** 06-19-2019, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quanah

I've always had a soft spot for old nickeled six shooters, BC.

LOL, I certainly WISH it were nickeled. This one has literally been chrome plated - and judging by the poor quality of the work it was almost certainly done at a bumper chroming shop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shep854

There’s also .45 Auto Rim!

Yeah, and I'm sure it would shoot them too - but I don't have any or even any brass so I've never had opportunity to try it.

Hondo44 · #**379** 06-19-2019, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC38

Thanks for resurrecting this thread guys, somehow I never saw this one before.

After looking through 8 pages of mostly nice examples, I'll submit my entry for the ugliest prize.

This old 1917 Commercial has been bumper chromed over rust pitting, PLUS bored for 45 Colt and had a slightly longer hammer nose installed.

Mechanically solid with a shiny bore and sharp rifling, and it shoots both 45 Colt and 45 ACP just fine.

It really hasn't been over buffed much, except the side plate seam. It could be stripped (that's cheap), pits filled with brazing, leveled and nickeled properly.

StrawHat · #**380** 06-19-2019, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

It really hasn't been over buffed much, except the side plate seam. It could be stripped (that's cheap), pits filled with brazing, leveled and nickeled properly.

Fill the pits with brazing, not steel? Because it will be plated over and not seen?

Kevin

shep854 · #**381** 06-19-2019, 07:57 AM

"Yeah, and I'm sure it would shoot them too - but I don't have any or even any brass so I've never had opportunity to try it."--BC38
Absolutely! After all, the AR was developed specifically for these revolvers. Since you can shoot the .45 Colt, though, that niche is filled.

BC38 · #**382** 06-19-2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

It really hasn't been over buffed much, except the side plate seam. It could be stripped (that's cheap), pits filled with brazing, leveled and nickeled properly.

Sure, that could be done - for a price. The cost would far exceed the value of the finished product though, since a refinished gun is worth much less than an original specimen. No, to me it makes much more sense to keep it as an ugly old shooter grade example.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shep854

"Yeah, and I'm sure it would shoot them too - but I don't have any or even any brass so I've never had opportunity to try it."--BC38
Absolutely! After all, the AR was developed specifically for these revolvers. Since you can shoot the .45 Colt, though, that niche is filled.

Exactly - and Colt brass and ammo is much more plentiful and therefore much less expensive than AR.

mikerjf · #**383** 06-19-2019, 12:17 PM

I too would love to have one - a big-bore shooter with historical interest.

Correct me if I'm wrong - these are not "drop safe", right? I seem to recall a Hickok45 video where he fires one by tapping the hammer spur with a 2x2.

If a feller wanted a 45acp revolver similar to this but with modern safety measures, what would he buy? The reissue?

miker

Muley Gil · #**384** 06-19-2019, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikerjf

I too would love to have one - a big-bore shooter with historical interest.

Correct me if I'm wrong - these are not "drop safe", right? I seem to recall a Hickok45 video where he fires one by tapping the hammer spur with a 2x2.

If a feller wanted a 45acp revolver similar to this but with modern safety measures, what would he buy? The reissue?

miker

Look at the Model 22. It is close.

Hondo44 · #**385** 06-19-2019, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrawHat

Fill the pits with brazing, not steel? Because it will be plated over and not seen?

Kevin

Correct. Brazing is much, much easier; the brass flows on the steel to fill the voids w/o melting the steel. Much quicker to level than steel. And won't show thru the nickel at all.

Hondo44 · #**386** 06-19-2019, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikerjf

I too would love to have one - a big-bore shooter with historical interest.

Correct me if I'm wrong - these are not "drop safe", right? I seem to recall a Hickok45 video where he fires one by tapping the hammer spur with a 2x2.

If a feller wanted a 45acp revolver similar to this but with modern safety measures, what would he buy? The reissue?

miker

Any post WWII 45 ACP will have the sliding bar hammer block safety starting with the 1950 Military 45 (became the Model 22) and 1950 Target 45 (became the Model 26). Both have the slender barrel like the 1917. They also have the speed action, short cocking action improvement.

The Classic series reissues would as well.

Ray · #**387** 06-19-2019, 09:31 PM

Regarding post #365 there are better pics of my brazilian avaiable trough this link:
Update on Brazilian 37- IV Better Pics
Thanks, regards, Ray

hkcavalier · #**388** 06-04-2021, 05:18 PM

Early 1917 (96xx), all original but with a lifetime (and maybe a war or two) of honest wear.

tlawler · #**389** 06-04-2021, 06:11 PM

Here’s mine. I don’t know much of the history behind it, just that it shipped in Sept. 1918, according to Roy. At some point, a previous owner had it blued...quite a nice job, actually, and he left the lanyard ring intact. All the numbers match and it’s a great shooter. I’m on the hunt for a nice set of original M1917 stocks and dump those god awful faux ivory ones(though they are starting to grow on me a little).

Kinman · #**390** 06-06-2021, 05:20 PM

Wow...Did I ever get to this thread late. I had never seen it before and went all the way through all eight pages. Beautiful revolvers, nice collections, great shooters and family heirlooms. I came by my only unmolested 1917 by way of a friend on his passing. It is an early piece with ringed hammer. I have a cut down version as well and like to carry it on occaison, along with another Brazilian 1937 model.

turbo38gn · #**391** 06-06-2021, 09:02 PM

What are these guns worth, a ball park range... I have one from my father, not original grips, but has all the ridings and lanyard, looks to have been reblued. But look really nice, has US ARMY engraved on it ...

hkcavalier · #**392** 06-06-2021, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo38gn

What are these guns worth, a ball park range... I have one from my father, not original grips, but has all the ridings and lanyard, looks to have been reblued. But look really nice, has US ARMY engraved on it ...

Refinished, wrong grips, unless there's something special going on it's probably $600 in today's market.

Pics help. Not sure about the engraving...doesn't sound factory.

turbo38gn · #**393** 06-06-2021, 10:00 PM

Thanks HK, I'll get some pics when I get home.. in the woods at the campground..