1917 Commercial

[470Evans]

I've seen some very nice ones on this forum and thought I would post one I recently acquired.

I have been fortunate to pick up two S&W HE 2nd models in 455 Eley and wanted a 1917 as well. I was looking for the military version but saw this one posted on an auction site and after it went through a couple of cycles with no bid I reached out to the seller and made an offer which they accepted.

The serial # is 1771xx and the MADE IN USA stamp would make it post 1922.

The right grip has the serial written in very faint writing so I suspect the grips are original

The gun is in decent condition and I plan on taking it out to the range to see what it can do.

 

[T44spl]

Very Nice commercial 1917, some members will want to the orientation of the s/n on the butt given the lanyard swivel, also the top strap of the frame. Is the top strap a round or flat top frame? Those grips would be correct for the 1920's period, so possibly correct for your gun.
Looks like a nice correct gun with original finish.

 

[Baxter6551]

Mine is serial 1790xx which I lettered and shipped Feb 19, 1927.

 

[StrawHat]

I have two Commercial variations not including several Brazilian Contract revolvers.

The top two in the column on the right.

Both excellent shooters.

Kevin

 

[dobegrant]

Very nice, looks like something Indiana Jones would be packing.

 

[StrawHat]

Very nice, looks like something Indiana Jones would be packing.

He favored a 4" barrel, something like this,

Kevin

 

[DV0]

I have 1777XX that shipped 100 years ago, Nov 1924.

 

[steelslaver]

Roy said mine was open on the books out of a group where the rest was stamped and shipped to Brazil. Someone wanted a 45 acp and one got taken out of the production line, given the small logo and sent out\

 

[murphydog]

That is a very nice example, congratulations on finding it!

If you want an exact ship date, a letter of authenticity is needed. With the numbers of 1917 Armys available after WW I sales were few and far between. Commercial guns with very close SNs are known to have shipped years apart.

 

[VaTom]

Nice Commercial OP. You mentioned the written in pencil serial number on the stocks. I have commercial 184505. According to SCSW 4th year 1929 - "stock numbers were changed back to stamped numbers" rather than written in pencil. My stocks are stamped.It has been refinished by a previous owner at some point. OP - yours has a beautiful finish.