17-7 Pinto

[FatDogEarl]

I have this 17-7 that I bought many years ago. It's the only pinto Mod.17 I've ever seen. Looking for opinions. Do you think it came this way from the factory or did someone swap the cylinder. Also, any idea what the value may be?

 

[Thaddeus Beauregard]

I always thought a true "Pinto" was one where the cylinder and barrel were the same tone, either stainless or blued ("reverse Pinto"), with the frame and yoke being the contrasting, opposite finish to the cylinder and barrel.

 

[pharman]

I have this 17-7 that I bought many years ago. It's the only pinto Mod.17 I've ever seen. Looking for opinions. Do you think it came this way from the factory or did someone swap the cylinder. Also, any idea what the value may be?

The factory original should have a serial number prefix of BRF OR BRC...yours appears to be a 6" barrel...there were ONLY 200 of these made (I'm thinking a value of $1500)...S&W also made a 4" version with the BRF serial number prefix...VERY RARE ONLY 14 made...Roger

 

[hoytx10]

That looks like a swapped stainless cylinder and not a nickel cylinder.

 

[pharman]

That looks like a swapped stainless cylinder and not a nickel cylinder.

It is SUPPOSED to be a stainless steel cylinder...NOT a nickel cylinder...look at page 216 Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th Edition

 

[hoytx10]

It is SUPPOSED to be a stainless steel cylinder...NOT a nickel cylinder...look at page 216 Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th Edition

I rather not look at page 216, I trust you,

 

[Gdogman]

Roger is correct and these are legit..........

I have two of those 17-7 and used them in my two-tone gun display at the SWCA Symposium in Tulsa last year. My two are sequential serial numbered BRF3639 and BRF3940.

The are both lettered but oddly enough BRF3640 shipped 8/16/1994 and BRF3639 shipped three years later on 2/18/1997.

They are both pictured in the back row, left side and I have included my information sheet from the display.

Last year I displayed 17 pintos, I am now up to 23.

 

[pharman]

Thanks for the GREAT pictures and write-up Gil...Way Cool! Roger

 

[Thaddeus Beauregard]

I appreciate the photos and info in your post, Gil!

So then, is the official definition of a "Pinto" gun simply that at least 1 of the cylinder and barrel has to be a contrasting tone to the frame - whether cylinder only or cylinder and barrel? In other words if only the cylinder is the opposite finish to the remainder of the gun instead of cylinder and barrel, it's still considered a "pinto?"

 

[Gdogman]

In all my Letters of Authentication, I have never seen them referred to as a "pinto" or "reverse pinto" which is actually the most common way to refer to them. In letters they are referred to as "two-tone", "blue/nickel" finish and also "combination" finish. The 17-7 are referred to as "combination" finish and call out the cylinder as "stainless steel." Some letters say "blue/nickel or nickel/blue" and then call out what is blue and what is nickel. I think collectors made up the word "pinto, but that is just a guess.

 

[glshuck]

Looks like it'd be a good one to send a letter request in on. Might cost you $75-$100 depending on your membership status, but being able to have it confirmed would definitely increase the value of the gun.

 

[FatDogEarl]

I was thinking the same thing, glshuck.

 

[dobegrant]

Very cool revolver

 

[CALREB]

I think that the only guns with model number 17-7 are the contrast blue guns with a stainless cylinder. Then goes to 17-8s with the dull black finish (melonite ?) and a alloy cylinder. at least 'i have never seen any other 17-7.