I'm looking at a M1917 tomorrow. I've only seen pictures of it so far, but it looks to be in reasonably good condition on the outside, with normal wear for a gun of its age, some holster wear and thin bluing in places, which is fine, and according to the seller it's nice and tight.






Looking for ideas on what a fair price would be, and some advice on these photos the seller provided me of the bore.










It's hard to take a good photo of the bore of a gun without a good camera and know how, so it's hard to tell what I see, but I'm worried that it looks a bit dark and possibly pitted. Seller said that it's just dirty, he meant to clean it before taking the pics but forgot. I asked him to run a patch down the bore and send another pic of it clean, and am waiting to hear back. I'll find out one way or the other tomorrow, but it's a long drive and would be nice to save a trip if I can.

What does this look like to you?

What does this look like to you?
caveat emptor

Unless it is very cheap or you get better pictures
I wouldn't make the drive

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

That bore looks somewhat more than a "little dirty". I suspect leading, pitting, possible live rust. It could be just leading and fouling, which will take some soaking with a good solvent then a scrubbing with a brush and patches. Unless the seller is willing to go to that level of cleaning before taking more pictures I wouldn't make the drive either.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Bore is what some would call "Salt and Pepper" from corrosion. No way to know if it will clean up, but I imagine its current owner has already tried that. If you are buying it as a shooter, it really may not affect grouping that much if you use jacketed bullets. But it will collect metal fouling quickly.

The pictures are not good enough to determine the appearance of possible re-bluing or other cosmetic defects.

I don't think you'll get a lot of guidance as you don't have much to go on. Do you know if it is Army-stamped on the butt? Any other markings? Lots of things to check for on a M1917. You'd probably be safe at $300-$400 (assuming you are buying it as a shooter, not as a collectible), anything more than that would require a much more thorough assessment.

A lot of "ethically challenged" individuals leave a gun dirty (or even make it dirty) to conceal problems. This seller may be perfectly honest, but this is always a red flag to me. If you do examine it, look at the chambers carefully. They will often show evidence of pitting also. These were in service when ammunition was corrosive. Wartime conditions did not always allow timely cleaning and maintenance.

The stocks (grips) look like they could be reproductions to me. That is not necessarily a terrible thing, but it would affect the price. Original stocks can be worth a lot on their own and thus are often sold off separately to maximize profits.

Having said all that, I would be really surprised if the seller lets it go for under $500. (Assuming it is in good working order and he knows what he is selling.)

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You're shy a few manners.

It is army stamped on the butt. Not a commercial model 22. Asking price is a lot more than $300. Will see what it looks like after a good cleaning up; when I said it looked a little dirty I was being understated. I've seen bores that look nasty but cleaned up great, and it's just tough to say without handling it in person. But I always think it's a bad sign when someone is trying to sell something and doesn't take the time to do a proper cleaning and inspection.

What Jack sed!!

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Eccentric old coot

what is alot more than $300USD? At $3 Im in. Bore looks a little smokey.
Grips? How far do you have to drive? I missed the Sn. on the butt and any marks. You came to the right place for an opinion or advice.
Best, Mike 2796

That Bore looks terrible and pitted to me.1917's are not rare,Hold out for a better example.

what is alot more than $300USD? At $3 Im in. Bore looks a little smokey. <br />

Like, more than double is the asking price. It's a 2hr drive each way. I'll probably pass on it unless it cleans up amazing at the asking price.

Oh come on, are you kidding me? With a stack that looks like a wood stove, you are looking at $600+ USD?. Save a 4 hr. drive and dont even waste $275 USD. Thanks for the look , Im done. Mike 2796

I have nothing to say about actual value - don't know enough about it. But my limited experience with bores that look like that is that they make the gun affordable and don't seriously affect the accuracy. I also never had trouble with fouling, either. My limited experience is one Broomhandle Mauser with a similar bore, one .38 Spl M&P with a similar bore, and one 1955 Model .45 Target with a less uniformly damaged bore. All were OK, and certainly the last two didn't foul excessively. The Broomhandle didn't, either, but I don't remember exactly how much ammo I put through it, so maybe it would have if I had shot it more. It certainly didn't suffer in the accuracy department.

I seriously doubt that the bore will look any better after cleaning.

Hope this helps.

Get a better example IMHO

That bore looks bad. I'd leave this one alone if I were you.

Seriously...just say no.

If it's one of the guns shipped to Brazil, I agree with all the other posts. I'd be in at $300 to $375. If it is a gun with all the US military markings and appropriate serial number, I would go a good bit higher. Our year spent in Europe back then turned out to be one of the dirtiest wars ever for us. That bore wouldn't bother me at all on WWI gun.

And here's a photo of how it cleaned up:



Not much better. Looks like there's a lot of leading, to the point where it's almost smooth, and toward the front end it still looks like there's pitting.

It does look very bad. Not something I would buy at that price.

At that price, it is time to pass and move on.

Hard to tell for sure, but now it looks shallow to me. Not sure I'd trust it to shoot well.

The only 1917s I've seen for under $300 have been basket cases: chopped, poorly refinished, rust buckets and etc. I think you are probably looking at a $500-600 gun. Any more and I'd keep looking. But they quit making them and the interest in them has been increasing steadily.
The bore on that one is rough but not uncommon for a 1917. It would make for a good shooter grade, something I wouldn't hesitate to use often and with great fun. But if you are looking for one in better shape, with nice shiny rifling and all, you better be prepared to shell out $800, or more. Either that or plan on being lucky. I'm with a couple of the others here in that I would be surprised if the seller would take less than $500 for that one, I wouldn't if it were mine.

John

I wouldn't go near $600 based solely on what I see in the pictures. It might be worth that, or more, but I'd need to have it in hand to make that determination. Or far better and more detailed pictures.

$600! For that bore. No good pics and we dont even know if the grips match. Dont be separated from your hard earned gun money. Grab your cash and run. I have passed on better for $300. Be picky. I know what it takes to build up a gun cash fund. But, Im an old gun fart with no experience. Mike 2796

I think this is the very same gun I saw listed locally.
If it is then the serial number placed it within the first year of manufacture and that makes the grips wrong for sure.
But that being said , a first year gun with the GHS stamp rather than the flaming bomb is more desireable. All numbers match , no modifications other than stocks , the price may be fair.
Twig.