The 1917 Army (postwar

Dan M · #1 10-26-2007, 04:32 PM

I finally got home and was able to pick the 1917 up from my FFL's. Nice gun with the worst Home Made Grips I have ever held on a Gun. They would Cut the palm of my hand if I tried shooting it. Serial # is 210263 there is no S Prefix. It is missing a Lanyard ring but I have a couple laying around and will install one. Any Info on this Model would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks

Dan M

Dan M · #2 10-26-2007, 04:32 PM

I finally got home and was able to pick the 1917 up from my FFL's. Nice gun with the worst Home Made Grips I have ever held on a Gun. They would Cut the palm of my hand if I tried shooting it. Serial # is 210263 there is no S Prefix. It is missing a Lanyard ring but I have a couple laying around and will install one. Any Info on this Model would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks

Dan M

panamajack310 · #3 10-26-2007, 05:04 PM

Hi, from the 3rd. edition S&W book it looks like your gun with that serial # was made between 1946-1950. Some of the commercial models did not have the S prefix or military markings due to the fact that they were surplus frames with the lanyard rings..
The correct grips for that gun were Walnut diamond magna's with the S&W medallion.... That is all I can find...Sorry hope this helps....

Dan M · #4 10-26-2007, 05:25 PM

thanks panamajack310,

I have the 3rd edition and have re read it several times. the grips should be post war magnas then with the gold medallions? If anyone has an extra set let me know. I will look in the classifieds and on Fleabay

Dan

opoefc · #5 10-26-2007, 06:28 PM

The latest issue of GUNS magazine, Dec 2007, has a nice article on page 60 by Mike Venturino on the Model 1917 and it's history and various configurations up to the current Model 22s.

JayCeeNC · #6 10-26-2007, 07:27 PM

Nice lookin' gun, Dan. Your picture skills are improving!

m-1911 · #7 10-27-2007, 06:05 AM

I just bought a post war 1917 Commercial, sn S 210505 and it was a November 1947 shipment. Mine had the grips changed to 1917 military style grips. I have diamond magnas to replace them. The correct grips should be the "sharp shoulder" style I believe

SRT · #8 10-27-2007, 08:07 PM

210364, NIB:

Dan M · #9 10-28-2007, 02:53 AM

WOW SRT,

that is a Fantastic Package. Now I know what to look for.

thanks

Dan M

handejector · #10 10-31-2007, 05:05 PM

I have seen early post-war 17's that lack the "S", but HAVE the hammer block. Check yours- CLEAR the gun, then SLOOOWWWWLY cock the hammer while looking into the hammer slot. You will be able to see the hammer block moving DOWNWARD with good light. If you don't see it, you might want to pull the sideplate and look for the slot- it may have been removed.
We know from many models like the 52A and the VS and SV Victories that S&W would add a letter when they needed to. I think those early 1917's lack the S merely through oversight, not because they are leftovers.

Dan M · #11 10-31-2007, 05:32 PM

Thanks Lee,

I am away on buisness and the gun is in its nest at home so I will check it out next week when I get home. I did find a nice set of unfinish Home made Ivory Magnas this past week. Have started taking the rough spots out of them and Polishing. Will add some medallions too

Also Got my S&WCA membership package this past weekend so I am now Member # 2054. Love the Journals that were in the package lots of new reading material. Thanks to all who have helped me on this Forum. you know who you are