1917--keep or return--pics

[Todd.K]

Hi all,

Looking for opinions. I currently have a 1917 on a three day inspection. Paid $795 for it and I'd like to get an idea if this is reasonable. The biggest detractors are the chipped left grip and the bore condition. Looks like someone ran a cylinder of corrosive ammo through it and didn't clean it properly. It's not dark, but there are some streaks of light pitting in the grooves. Left grip panel is numbered to the gun (19,120). Bluing is in great shape, with the worst area being the top strap where it shows some flaking or wear. Lockup is tighter than any modern Smith I have tried, and the breech face shows only the slightest evidence of firing.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Raider]

I have a couple of S&W's whose barrels have a little light pitting and they shoot great both with lead and jacketed bullets. From your description I would keep it. $795 for a nice 1917 is a great price IMHO.

Charlie

 

[Todd.K]

..additional pics..

 

[delta-419]

Its too pretty to give back and there are some folks that can repair the grips almost like the chip does not exist. My vote is to keep it. I have 3 of the 1917s and wished mine looked like yours. The minor pitting in the barrel will not effect the round going down range or really inpact on accuracy. My vote is to keep it and enjoy, after all it will soon be 100 years old!!!

 

[Jack Flash]

I sure don't know what I would do if I were in your shoes. That's a lot of money to me right now, but probably not out of line for a decent Model of 1917. The chip out of the stocks is not too big a deal. A little pitting in the barrel is perhaps not too unusual, considering the corrosive ammo in use in WWI. After all, it went through one war, maybe two.

The question is, is it a decent M1917? Is it as described / represented by the seller? IE, did he conceal or obscur its cosmetic flaws, bore condition, etc? If you knew about its issues when you bought it, I'm not sure what you're asking.

 

[H Richard]

Looks outstanding for a 1917. Keep it.

 

[jsmith]

That's not a bad price at all. Model 1917's have gone up in value over the last several years.

There are two things that I noticed about your gun that makes that price reasonable. Your gun has two of the earlier variations that are not found on the later model 1917's. The hammer has the concentric cut grooves on both sides. This disappeared by about #25,000 and replaced by smooth hammer. The grips on your gun are the smooth walnut concave grips. They disappeared about the same time as the concentric groove hammer and replaced by just smooth walnut grips. Those earlier type of grips are rare to find. If you do replace them, keep the old ones. They are the originals and are so numbered to the gun.

Just about all Model 1917's for WWI were used in the war. Holster wear and nicks and scrapes are usually found on them. The ammo that was used back then was usually corrosive and pitted bores are the norm. Finding ones that are not pitted are scarce but not impossible.

I have one of the earliest Model 1917's, serial #45, that came complete with the original U.S. Army flap holster and belt. Paid $1200 for it. It's in almost excellent condition. Has some holster wear and a few nicks and scrapes on the barrel. The bore is excellent with sharp rifling and no pitting! Cylinder lock-up is perfect with no play. Just like a new gun.

Check out my post at this link on the forum:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...army-revolver-serial-45-factory-lettered.html

jsmith

 

[mtb1bkr]

I'm going to go with the rest of the bunch here and say keep it. Now, if it was grossly misrepresented prior to the sell then it might be a different sale. Other than the couple of wear spots, the gun looks great like it has never had the side plate off of it or anything. Finding original style replacement grips for it will be challenging, but not impossible. Or, as mentioned, you could have a skilled grip restorer splice in a matching piece of walnut and refinish them to make it almost impossible to notice to the untrained eye.

Bill

 

[gjamison]

thats an early serial number i'd keep her. I have a question, is that hammer correct?

 

[VM]

The repair to the wood grip in itself is an easy, cut and dry job. It couldn't be in a better spot for a splice job - the challange will be matching that beautiful walnut with the grains and pores that are present in the existing grip panel.

The price of the revolver seems reasonable compared to others that I've seen sell.

 

[DCWilson]

No countervailing argument here. If the money is not an issue at this time, keep it. I'd have paid that for it. Sounds like others in this thread would have, too.

I don't have a 1917 yet. Probably within the next two years as I work down the priority list.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I'd hang onto that one at the price. It has neato early features and the grip could be fixed to please.

Would the bore clean up at all? Perhaps with a bit of JB Bore Cleaner? I had a doggy M1917 Smith & Wesson for some years that had a bore as you describe. It still shot very well with both jacketed bullets and lead bullets. Wish now I'd kept it for a usin' gun.

I have a decent example from later production with a nice bore but it has some scuffs on the underside of the barrel. Almost as if it had been in a rack of some sort. I've seen several '17 S&W and Colt revolvers with such scuffs and have always wondered how the scuffs originated.

 

[Buford57]

If you could afford $795 in the first place, there is no reason not to keep it. On the other hand if something about the condition was misrepresented or omitted, why not bring it up to the seller and see if he will adjust the price rather than take it back and start over?

If I wanted a 1917 in exceptional condition I would consider my search over when I found your gun at that price. The days of $150 1917s are past.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

That is an awfully nice look'n 1917. I'd keep it. It's few little "issues" just give it "character."

 

[Todd.K]

Thanks for the feedback--it's much appreciated. The condition was fairly well represented by the seller, with the exception of the bore being described as "very good". It's all subjective, but seeing the pitting was enough to give me second thoughts..it's my nature to get hung up on the one negative, so your perspectives all helped make the decision a little easier.

Best regards,
Todd

 

[Muley Gil]

IMHO, a "very good" bore for a 1917 revolver could very well have some pitting. After all, as has been pointed out by other posters, these were combat guns, used in one or two wars, and Marines and soldiers did not always have the time or the resourses to properly clean the bores.

I have owned and shot a number of 1917s and even the ones with pitting can shoot pretty well.

 

[Muddyboot]

Very nice, I would keep it.

 

[Jack Flash]

Since the sellar was reasonably accurate (if not totally a stand up guy) I think I would keep it, if I were in your shoes.

 

[Win712]

I would keep it too, it has character the way it is. That is a 1917 that I would be proud of owning for that price. Greg

 

[chuck17]

That is a nice 1917. I would keep it.