My two cents. Moon clips. When I buy mine I take a little sand paper and open up the slots until I can put a cartridge in, and take them out by hand, no tool needed and I rework my clips while watching tv.

A good thought. And on the RIMZ moonclips I recommended, it should be noted that some revolvers may require you to use a narrow file or a razor knife to shave the surfaces of the inner hexagon to avoid loading and unloading hang-ups. I haven't had to do that for my S&W or Colt 1917s, but the manufacturer acknowledges the possibility. The clips should function as shipped on model-marked guns in the 25, 325, 625 etc. family.

__________________
David Wilson

Thanks for the smoothing suggestion, that is definitely one for the bag.

__________________
Always bet on stupidity.

I have a DA 45 serial # 36xxx It is in excellent condition. I had an adjustable rear sight and a white dot front put on it.
I bought it 30 years ago as a shooter. any idea of its date of manufacture?

Now it's time for some "proper" grips. It just doesn't look right with those magnas on it.

My guess is late 1917.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

This thread is great fun! The posts are giving me hints for my HE's history. In an earlier thread, we discussed if it might have been a Brazilian gun, with the seal buffed off, since it has a CAI import stamp. Problem is, the sideplate is tight and crisp, but doesn't look like it was heavily polished, plus the finish looks original. BTW, I picked it up for right at $300.

Besides being a great shooter, the expressions on peoples' faces when they see it at the range is priceless! Then there's the look after they shoot it...

It came with metal moon clips that I can easily snap rounds into. There was also a de-moon tool that is a strap of metal with a curve to fit the .45 case, and a little notch to place on the clip. Hook it behind the case, hook the rim and the case pops out with a wrist flick.

I want period grips and lanyard ring for mine also*. It currently wears N-frame target grips.
*Consider a grip adapter such as the Tyler T-Grip or BK Grips to fill in between the front strap and trigger guard. The classic appearance is preserved, but you don't get your knuckles banged by the trigger guard and you get a better hold on the gun.

Lastly, to see what's possible with a 'rusted-out boat anchor', read through this thread:
Won this rusty locked up S&W 1917 snubbie at auction yesterday
Very entertaining!

I have had bad luck with Numrich a couple of times (bad parts, "bubba'd" parts)==overall, usually good. At the same time, unless their grips are original, you can usually get better from Numrich's supplier (save a few bucks=not much but something)==I don't remember who does their grips. Both of my 1917's have replacement grips on them (Smith = wood, New Service=black plastic)=No big deal=the Smith had diamonds on it when I bought it!

I picked up a 1937 model today for $200. I was so focused on the low price I didn't notice the flame cut. This is not some peppered area but looks like someone dremelled out the spot and its sort of dished.

Are these burn marks common for this model or am I just super lucky?

__________________
>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

That's called a "fouling cup" and S&W machined the frame thataway.

Relax and enjoy your $200 N frame.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Who knew? I can sleep now. Thanks.

__________________
>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

Left over from the black powder days. You must have a 1946 contract Brazilian in which Smith used 1917 produced frames with round topstrap purchased back from the government. The burn marks are just normal carbon build up. The 1937 contract guns had newer made frames with the flat topstrap and no fouling cup.

We need pictures, you got a steal.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Its all around dirty. I'll open it today and scrub the insides. I bought it from a widow who asked for $100. I offered $200 and she took it.

Attached Images

SW DA 45.jpg (48.6 KB, 22 views)

__________________
>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

Sounds like both of you should be happy. But especially you since most folks would buy them all day long for that price.

I would buy them all day for $200. Really like the model 1917's.

Attached Images

Model 1917's.jpg (63.0 KB, 10 views)

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

Not a Bad find!
Clean it up with some Hoppes' and leave it be. As you say,it would most likely be a nice shooter.These old wheelguns may not be worth all that much in this shape, but they do have a lot of history to them. I'd enjoy it for that reason alone...
BTW, The "B" on the barrel flat next to the serial # means "Blue".

+1
If the mechanics, barrel, shootability, etc are good... absolutely!!!
Otherwise it would be a good candidate for modifications. For instance I'm partial to big bore snubbys, 3" or less.