1917 "Buyers Guide"

[jtcarm]

I didn't know they'd been Parkerized and had always assumed mine was patinaed.

So this is what a not-so-great-condition arsenal refinish would look like:



If you're looking for a shooter, inspect the bore for pitting. 1917s probably saw a lot of corrosively-primed ammo.

This gun was my grandfathers. Although he served in France in WWI, I'm pretty sure he acquired it during his tenure as Postmaster of Iraan (Ira-Ann) Texas. USPS sold tons of Colt and Smiths for $16 apiece after WWII.

 

[spad124]

About 5 years ago I bought a M1917, SN 83xxx, July 1918. It is a later marked gun, after the government took over production. Sometime during its life it's been reblued, but all the original parts have managed to stay together except I can't see a SN on the right grip. When I bought it I wasn't sure if the bore was pitted from corrosive ammo or had just accumulated lead. Bore brushes and cleaning didn't help so I figured I had one with a bad bore. It shot patterns rather than groups. However, after about 250 rounds of hardball I noticed the leading was almost gone and it now shoots 2" groups at 15yards when shooting single action. For some reason auto-rim is more accurate than ACP.

This is one case where some shooting helped.

 

[sodacan]

I didn't see this mentioned, but I believe the serial number is also on the underside of the ejector star.

 

[hardscrabble]

I just bought this Military 1917. I know it is not a "perfect" piece but I want to confirm what I found. Serial # shows it was made in Dec 1917. Cylinder serial # does not match and was made in Mar 1919. Grips are not original for this early variation of the 1917 but the hammer is grooved and the GHS stamp is there. What puzzles me is the barrel. The finish does not match the frame. Barrel is more "blued" while the frame is more "military" finish. There is NO serial number under the extractor but there is an "S" with a small "H". The barrel is stamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and "S&W DA 45". The action is tight and overall the gun is in great shape for its age. I think the barrel was a replacement from existing military stock. Any ideas???

The barrel is a replacement. I don't know anything for sure, but if I had to guess, I would say it was an armory "parts gun". The only very shaky evidence that it was done by a military armorer is this:
-you don't mention any factory service marks on the frame (stars, 3-digit date, etc.)
-if the cylinder had been replaced at the factory, there would almost certainly be a "star" and it certainly would not be marked with the SN from another revolver
-the barrel has certainly been replaced, and since there is no SN, but there is a "star" (looks like a star in the photo) my shaky guess is that it was from replacement stock, which was roll marked as US property by the factory and provided as support to depot-level armorers (etc). I'm almost certain the factory would have stamped the replacement barrel with the SN off the frame and a "star" to indicate the service
-makes some sense to me that the replacement of the barrel and cylinder was done at the same time
-the difference in finish most likely results from harder service before the parts replacement than after
-I don't see any indication of armchair gunsmithing on the barrel...looks like whoever did the replacement had the proper jigs/tools to do the work properly
-looks like the replacements were done fairly early (the cylinder finish close matches the frame...the barrel looks "newer" but has still seen extensive service of some kind)

I would like to know more about how these guns, and the later Victory models, were treated in terms of finish. I have seen many 1917's that were "parkerized", but I don't know if this was done by military armorers or after they reached the civilian market. I have seen lots of Victory models that were obviously parked/re-parked by somebody. I know that the armories/depot level support routinely re-finished 1911's, but I just don't know enough about these revolvers. On your gun, the finish is almost certainly original on the frame, barrel and cylinder, they just have different amounts of wear.

Nice low SN. Correct grooved hammer. Incorrect latter style stocks, as you acknowledged.

 

[Bat Guano]

I'm still bitter about missing out on the $29.95 ones in the 1960s. Peggy Sue is a grandma and I STILL don't have a 1917 shooter.

 

[walkcubs]

The barrel is a replacement. I don't know anything for sure, but if I had to guess, I would say it was an armory "parts gun". The only very shaky evidence that it was done by a military armorer is this:
-you don't mention any factory service marks on the frame (stars, 3-digit date, etc.)
-if the cylinder had been replaced at the factory, there would almost certainly be a "star" and it certainly would not be marked with the SN from another revolver
-the barrel has certainly been replaced, and since there is no SN, but there is a "star" (looks like a star in the photo) my shaky guess is that it was from replacement stock, which was roll marked as US property by the factory and provided as support to depot-level armorers (etc). I'm almost certain the factory would have stamped the replacement barrel with the SN off the frame and a "star" to indicate the service
-makes some sense to me that the replacement of the barrel and cylinder was done at the same time
-the difference in finish most likely results from harder service before the parts replacement than after
-I don't see any indication of armchair gunsmithing on the barrel...looks like whoever did the replacement had the proper jigs/tools to do the work properly
-looks like the replacements were done fairly early (the cylinder finish close matches the frame...the barrel looks "newer" but has still seen extensive service of some kind)

I would like to know more about how these guns, and the later Victory models, were treated in terms of finish. I have seen many 1917's that were "parkerized", but I don't know if this was done by military armorers or after they reached the civilian market. I have seen lots of Victory models that were obviously parked/re-parked by somebody. I know that the armories/depot level support routinely re-finished 1911's, but I just don't know enough about these revolvers. On your gun, the finish is almost certainly original on the frame, barrel and cylinder, they just have different amounts of wear.

Nice low SN. Correct grooved hammer. Incorrect latter style stocks, as you acknowledged.

I found no star markings anywhere. The barrel where the serial number would be only has an "S" and a small "H". Also the cylinder was not modified and only accepts 45ACP. It makes sense the Army had gunsmiths to do repairs. I just found the serial number on the crane. It matches the frame serial number.
Thanx for the info.

 

[tops]

I'm still bitter about missing out on the $29.95 ones in the 1960s. Peggy Sue is a grandma and I STILL don't have a 1917 shooter.

I bought and sold several in the 60s and it is easier to get the money to buy one now than it was then. Larry