19 known nickel model 17-3s and some interesting information as to value. Ed 1/19/15

[Allen-frame]

Information added to original post. January 2015........................


Well, we have seen one sell at auction now.

It is one of the 17-3s with the target trigger hammer and stocks.

We now have 16 documented in this configuration.

And, as per the invoice from G.T. distributors and my one gun

3 with standard hammer ,trigger, and Magna stocks.

Here is the link to the completed auction.


SMITH & WESSON ~ MODEL 17-3 K22...EXTREMELY RARE FACTORY NICKEL w/ Letter....Mfd 1974... V For Sale at GunAuction.com - 13210601



I am pretty excited. I have never owned anything this valuable before.




AND ,, here is another auction from late last year where someone got very lucky

and picked up one of the 17 shipped to G.T. distributors in 1975.

Very lucky I would say...........................................................



http://cowanauctions.com/auctions/item.aspx?id=154747




.............................................................................................................


Original post ............................VVVVVVVVVVVVVVV



Hello fellow (and gal) forum friends.

I am pleased to say I made the deal on the nickel model 17-3 and
bought it last month.

While doing some research I found out my gun is not one of the listed guns that shipped in March of 1975 , 37 years ago.


Quote from Roy Jinks regarding the ship date of mine.


1K3182 was shipped in July 1974 . To G.T. Distributors Georgia.



There were actually 17 guns in that shipment. All were nickel
with 15 having target hammers and triggers and
2 with standard hammers and triggers.

The serial numbers of that shipment range from

1K3197 to 1K4072.

My one gun precedes these guns by 8 months and is just 15
numbers earlier than the lowest of the 17 that shipped together.

Here are the best shots I can muster of such a shiny gun.
I had to take a lot just to get these few to show up.

These illustrate some of the features of this gun such as
the serial number stamped on the barrel flat and on the cylinder under
the extractor star.
The pinned front sight ramp and big lazy ampersand in the 4 line address.

Regards
Allen Frame

 

[rbmac52]

What a fantastic gun to have in your collection!

 

[bobcat]

THat is beautiful, I've enjoyed reading of your find and the pics, and it truly is stunning!

 

[Troystat]

A stunner, thanks for posting the pictures, a nickle pistol is hard to photograph.

 

[fat tom]

I am soooooooo jealous!
f.t.

 

[Lee Barner]

allen, that is just beautiful, but i had to put my sunglasses on just to look at the pics. thanks for sharing. lee

 

[Joe Kent]

Very,very neat.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I would absolutely have that gun lettered. First gun that late that I have seen having the serial # on the cylinder and barrel.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

There is something special about that one,a letter could be very interesting. Thanks for shareing!

 

[long colt frazier]

Very nice Allen I am stunned by it's beauty

 

[glenncal1]

I only own one nickle gun (57-1) but I would trade it and many Benjamins for that one. It is way cool, having that box just puts frosting on the cake.

 

[LEO918]

Outstanding Allen. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dennis The B]

By all means, have it lettered. That revolver is just too beautiful not to have it done.

That is one of the prettiest S&W's I've ever seen.

 

[Iggy]

That is one fine looking gun. I am sure you have invoked the total jealousy of the entire forum.

 

[28Shooter]

Beautiful handgun, congratulations!

 

[Art Doc]

Nickel box, but front sight looks wrong. I think it should be blued. All of my nickel guns from the 1950s have blued front sights. Also, no N on rear of cylinder and grip frame.

Worth the $50 to document it. But my hunch is a refinish. Hope I am wrong. Hope you didn't pay fabulous collector price without proof that it is, indeed, fabulous.

 

[Masterpiece]

It's Correct As Can Be!!

Front sight looks wrong. I think it should be blued. Also, no N on rear of cylinder and grip frame.
.

SaxonPig,

Allen's Revolver is as "Correct" as they come!! That's including the Front Sight being Nickeled!! Also, if you look at the Photos, you'll see the Cylinder "Is" stamped with an "N" under the Extractor Star just above the Serial Number!!

 

[jesseatamez]

thought

I too feel it is a lovely revolver but... I have a few questions, Allenframe says it dates to the 70s yet the Ampersands on the frame and barrel as well as the Maltese crosses beside the calibre rollmarks would seem to agree with Saxon's 50s timeframe. Also, why would the cylinder and barrel be serial numbered if it was made in the 70s after the elimination of the soft fitting department 20 years earlier? Was this gun discussed in an earlier thread, what did Mike Priwer and Lee Jarrett think Saxon? Whether the front sight is correct or not is beyond me, but I must say it is a thing of beauty with the details in the side.

Apologies in advance if my comments/queries are out of turn, I'm just curious about this gorgeous gun.

Jesse

 

[gagunner 2]

Looks like a sideways N forward of the s/n on the barrel.

 

[Allen-frame]

Hello all.

The gun shipped to G.T. Distributors in July 1974. And it shipped as a nickel gun.

The man I bought the gun from worked for Smith and Wesson from 1970 to 1974
selling night vision equipment to law enforcement agencies throughout the
south east and Bill Orr the owner of G.T. Distributors remembers him well.

Edited to add ; 1/19/2015 ......................


Another has surfaced sold at auction Target options serial number 1K4721 ...

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/13210601/





SO ,,NOW YOU KNOW ,THERE ARE 17 MORE OF THESE OUT THERE,, GET TO WORK
and go find one. !!


The gun does beg the question ;

When was this run of '18' total Nickel model 17-3s' made?

And why were they made and then sat in the vault ?

Or were they made in 1974 as part of a parts clean up.



Allen Frame