S&W MODEL 1917 ORIGINAL OR REFINISHED

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SAL 1966

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I have a s&w model 1917,serial number 43xxx that was shipped November 1918 and delivered to US ARMY CAMP HUMPHREYS

I can trace this revolver back to a man that was in the Marines prior to WW TWO.

I have shown this revolver to two very good gunsmiths and they both said that they can see no indication that this gun has ever been fired. All serial numbers match.
From the pictures I sent to Mr Roy Jinks it is his opinion it was refinished in the 1930s and checkered walnut grips were added at that time. What do you think.
 

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Welcome to the Forum.

What is stamped on the butt? Does it say "US ARMY MODEL OF 1917", with a serial number? Or is there just a serial numer? Is there a * stamp on the butt? Is the serial number stamped on the inside of the right grip? Is there a stamp like 3.31 on the grip frame, which would mean it went back to the factory in March 1931?
 
I'd agree with Roy. It's a bit hard from those pictures, but it does look like some of my 1930s factory refinished guns

Personally? I think that is fantastic. I love the factory refinished guns from that era, they are really nice. One of mine even had the information about the refinish in the S&W Historical Foundation records because the owner referenced the serial number in his letters. Adding that little bit of history, or the potential for history, really is a special thing to some of us out here.

Great gun.
 
SAL 1966 said:
... I can trace this revolver back to a man that was in the Marines prior to WW TWO.
...
Click to expand...
Just to be clear, did he come into possession of this revolver when he was in the Marines prior to WWII, or did he come into possession of it some time after he left the service. IE, was the revolver issued to him or did he just acquire it at some point later on?

From looking at those pictures, I can't say it was refinished or not. Did Roy Jinks examine it first hand or was he able to give his opinion just from those pictures?
 
If it's a re-finish, it's good, even the ERK is white where it should be white - that's fine detail. The case colors seem bright for the age also, best I can tell. A star mark would tell much. The pictures would have to be much better (clearer, brighter & in better light) to really hazard a guess from pictures only. As stated, not many (me especially) would second guess Roy Jinks. Welcome to the forum - that's quite an entrance.
Jeb
 
Regardless of who is looking at pictures of a gun to determine finish originality, nothing duplicates an in hand inspection. There are many factors that can affect how a finish can look in a photo.

As for the gun looking unfired, that itself does not suggest anything about the finish. The gun could simply be unfired after the refinish, while not being unfired altogether. I would have to say looking at those photos (photos need to be much better to discuss original finish or not) that the finish is likely factory and not an aftermarket refinish, IF it is actually refinished.
 
Last edited:
There is a lot I don't know about this S&W model 1917.
I have been A small time collector for over fifty years.
I didn't question Mr Jinks opinion about this pistol at any
time. I can't see how he did as well he did with the pictures and information that I sent him.At my age the use of cameras and computers don't come easy.
On the but of the gun it has U S Army with serial number
74xxx. It has same number on the cylinder and on the flat part under the barrel.
Under the barrel it has U.S. property, and it also has a concentric hammer. Under the right grip it has the number 44xxx stamped.
On the inside of the but frame it has the letter A. I plan on
having this gun and others at the convention next year at Charlotte,N.C. Thanks for the help.
 
Welcome to the forum.

It's a WW I military issue but the grips are not. They are commercial grips from the 1929 to 1940 period and probably replacing the originals when refinished in the 1930s as Roy indicated.

Your answers to MurphyDog's questions above would be most helpful for determining a refinish at the factory:

Is there a star stamped on the butt? Is the number 44XXX stamped in the backside of the wood on the right grip?

If no date stamp like for example 3.31 on the left side bottom of grip frame, which would mean it went back to the factory in March 1931, and no star, it was refinished but not at the factory.
 
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