At $700 I would buy it in a heartbeat and would probably pay more. If it looks like most factory refinished S&Ws it likely looks almost new. When was the last time you had a chance to buy any 17-1? I have K22 Outdoorsmans, pre-17s, a 17, -2, -3, -4 but no -1 and have been looking for one for a long time.
I've overpaid for a couple S&W refinished guns (considerably more than the $700 being mentioned here as top dollar) and am not the least disappointed with the results. Here are a couple; a pre-27 shipped to Kansas City police department in 1950 (refinished in 1982) and a 48 no dash (1960) refinished in 1969. As a long time member here has noted before, factory refinished by the same people, using the same equipment and processes, who did the original finish. What is not to like? Buy it and enjoy it.
Jeff
SWCA #1457