1917 "Target", C&R celebration day!

Modified · Apr 1, 2014

So my C&R finally arrived, I celebrated by picking up a pair of .45acps.

I understand that the Army had this sight work done maybe? Can anyone fill me in on what I now own, and where I might read more on it?

I vaguely remember someone here posting a picture of this rear sight in response to another fixed sight gun that I own that was upgraded to have a better sight picture, but still with fixed sights.

I really like the sight picture for this gun, very interested to see how it shoots. In any case it fits extremely well into my current passion of pre-war target pistols, and more specifically factory or King modified guns.

The ivories are a bonus:

I'm surprised by how nice they are in the hand, they are fatter then the ones on my other 1917s and fill my hand out better.

Also, that grooved hammer just puts a sloppy grin on my face. I love it.

So that's the second gun in my brand new C&R log book, the first gun is this:

If anyone cares for more pictures or wants to talk about this one please just direct me to the appropriate part of the forums and I'll make a post about it.

Today has been a very very good day.

gaucho1 · Apr 1, 2014

Very Cool................

The front sight and the large diamonds in the grip give it a slight

Buck Rodgers flavor...........the future as seen from 1930s......

A perfect Duo.....

Russell Cottle · Apr 1, 2014

That's a neat looking ol' 1917. Congrats!

DWalt · Apr 1, 2014

"I understand that the Army had this sight work done maybe? Can anyone fill me in on what I now own, and where I might read more on it?"

Anything's possible, but I'd bet the Army had nothing to do with the sights.

Modified · Apr 1, 2014

DWalt said:
"I understand that the Army had this sight work done maybe? Can anyone fill me in on what I now own, and where I might read more on it?"

Anything's possible, but I'd bet the Army had nothing to do with the sights.

Seemed that this rear sight was similar to this one:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...58-interesting-triple-lock.html#post137287178

In any case I'm not really worried if this was just something that was modified later by the factory or someone who was just as good as the factory. It nestles beautifully into my collection no matter who did that to it.

Edit: I was also just told what was known about this gun, I'm all good. Enjoy the pictures, if I ever figure out who did this work to the sights and why I'll let you know.

824tsv · Apr 1, 2014

Love the Colt. One of my grail guns.

383 magnum · Apr 1, 2014

Nice guns and I picked up an M1917 a couple of weeks ago that has the grooved hammer.

opoefc · Apr 1, 2014

I have an identical Model 1917 "Target" It letters as shipped to the Springfield Armory as a standard military service sighted revolver. Old time shooters have told me that the Army Pistol teams, at events like Camp Perry, etc., that competed in the Service Pistol matches, and were shooting Model 1917s, often had their revolvers worked over by the armorers at Springfield to add non-adjustable target sights, as the Military Pistol match rules allowed target sights on pistols if the sights were non-adjustable. If you research photos of winning teams and shooters in those Military Pistol matches, circa, 1920s-30s, in the old gun magazine issues, you will see shooters with revolvers with non-adjustable target sights. I think the chances are very good the work to modify these guns was done by the Pistol team armorers. Ed.

JohnRippert · Apr 1, 2014

Those are two "right nice" shooting irons, especially the 1917.

Raider · Apr 1, 2014

I love your custom ivory handled mod 1917. Its the most desirable revolver that I have seen in a while. That Colt auto is almost as desirable. You certainly must be living good to have that much luck.

Charlie

Old TexMex · Apr 2, 2014

Lorda mercy, what a pair to draw to. Wowee

JSR III · Apr 2, 2014

The joys of having a C&R...

1blindref · Apr 2, 2014

Both are nice, but I really love the 1917. Those grips are something special.

153 · Apr 2, 2014

Quite a nice 1917 revolver, that hammer looks amazing!

H Richard · Apr 2, 2014

Very very nice. I love that 1917. The C&R does make it nice to be able to walk out with them or have them shipped directly to your house.

JSW · Apr 2, 2014

Interesting 1917, are those ebony inserts in the grips? Regardless it's beautiful.

Modified · Apr 2, 2014

JSW said:
Interesting 1917, are those ebony inserts in the grips? Regardless it's beautiful.

Seem to be. I don't know what other material they would be, as they do appear to be some sort of wood, and they are clearly quite old.

Club Gun Fan · Apr 2, 2014

Nowhere in your post did you refer to requesting a factory letter. You did send for one, correct?

Modified · Apr 2, 2014

Club Gun Fan said:
Nowhere in your post did you refer to requesting a factory letter. You did send for one, correct?

Most certainly. Although it's sitting on the desk in front of me still, I need to pop it in the mail.

A10ACN · Apr 5, 2014

Really neat 1917! Love it! As to Mr Ed's assertion that it could be military armorer work- is the action modified or noticeably lighter/smoother??

1917 "Target", C&R celebration day!

Modified

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gaucho1

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Russell Cottle

DWalt

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Modified

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824tsv

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383 magnum

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opoefc

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JohnRippert

Raider

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Old TexMex

JSR III

1blindref

153

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H Richard

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JSW

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Modified

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Club Gun Fan

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Modified

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A10ACN

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