1917 Opinions please

[raljr1]

Recently bought this 1917. Refinished, but a pro job, no blurring of the lettering or cartouches. The grips are replacements and are poor quality. I bought this to shoot, knowing that any collector value was diminished by the re-blue....Two questions for the group, and thanks in advance. SN is 40xxxand it has the original inspector's stamp, clearly visible.

First, look at the picture of the top strap. There is a scalloped area just aft of the barrel. If that is flame cutting, it looks like this gun was shot plenty. I've never seen this much cutting on any revolver. Anyone else ever see one with this much cutting? Any comments on shooting standard 45 ACP ammo? I don't really have a concern, but then my wife tells me I don't know everything.

Second question is about the stocks. I can find a vintage pair, or even just a set of target or magna stocks. I like the idea of the pistol looking original, but am interested in opinions. Resale will be my son's or his son's concern, I've already been put on notice by my son that "selling guns is not permitted"

 

[MattLarmore]

i do not see any attached pictures...

 

[raljr1]

1917 opinions

Pictures attached

 

[raljr1]

Sorry Matt....posted now

 

[DoubleH]

Fouling cup

That is not flame cutting. That is a leftover from the black powder days. That cup was placed there to catch the BP fouling and keep the cylinder from binding. NOT a sign of excessive shooting.

 

[raljr1]

Thank you....as an former machinist, it looked too even to be accidental...I'd never heard of that before....cool...the rest of the pistol does not seem to have been subject to that level of use...that's the great thing about this forum. How is it that you knew that and where could I find similar information. I have two antiques top breaks that do not have that?

 

[DWalt]

You'll find plenty of grips to choose from on eBay. Maybe even some originals from WWI.

 

[KEN L]

What makes you think it's been re-finished? Hard to tell for sure from the pics but finish looks original to me. The stocks also look right though light in color. I'd just dye them to a more walnut looking color and leave as is. Any pencil numbering inside the right stock? Better pics would help. Use natural light, no flash and please don't post blurred pics, they don't help at all.

 

[raljr1]

Well Ken, I am not certain about the refinish. The seller said that a gunsmith told him it was refinished. As for me, I have never seen a re-blue that left lettering that crisp. The grips do not properly fit the gun. they are definitely cheap replacements, not as thick as originals, no markings inside. I took these pictures with my phone, I will take some better pictures in the morning with the camera and repost....sorry about the fuzzy one. I guess I didn't look at it before posting it. I appreciate the input.

 

[sodacan]

I sent you a PM regarding 2 sets of original 1917 stocks that I available.

 

[bmcgilvray]

It could be original.

For comparison, here's a garden variety Smith & Wesson Model 1917, shown with a Colt Model 1917.

 

[Jack Flash]

That one looks really good. I would not be too sure about it being refinished without hearing some other opinions, preferably from someone who gets the opportunity to examine it first hand.

For myself, I agree with your son; that's a keeper!

 

[Muley Gil]

Thank you....as an former machinist, it looked too even to be accidental...I'd never heard of that before....cool...the rest of the pistol does not seem to have been subject to that level of use...that's the great thing about this forum. How is it that you knew that and where could I find similar information. I have two antiques top breaks that do not have that?

Read as much as you can on your subject. Posts on this forum are EXTREMELY informative.

Here, many of us learned that the US Gov't mandated that S&W heat treat the 1917s, a process that the company hadn't used much if at all before 1917. It was a fact that was tucked away in some government specs that another Forum member had found and presented to us. Gems like this pop up all of the time. None of us know all of the information.

 

[murphydog]

The photos appear to show a 1917 with original finish. They did not have a high polish blue, but the finish is even, the stampings are crisp (as you noted), and the hammer and trigger are case-colored, often lost during a refinish.

One other clue is the fit of the sideplate with a very thin seam on an original gun, but photo 3 looks like it was taken during a bout of the hiccups.... Nice gun.

 

[raljr1]

Here are a few better looks. After shooting it I stopped and talked to two gunsmiths. Both said the finish looks original. All numbers match, barrel, cylinder and frame. there is an "S" on the underside of the barrel by serial number. Based on the information, I'll look for an original set of grips or a well made, properly fitting pair of vintage replacements.

 

[haggis]

I agree that it looks to be original finish. Look at the small pin just above the left grip. If that has a rounded end, it's not a refinish.

Assuming that the butt number is 40284, the gun was delivered to the Government during the week of April 6, 1918 as part of a weekly shipment of 2349 revolvers.

Buck

 

[raljr1]

Here is my 1917 with the correct grips compliments of sodacan, (and a few of my pesos)....the 1905 M&P is a more recent addition..

 

[bigpoppop51]

I have a model s&w 1917. 100% on working and tight as a drum. Dates 1918. Only problem is bluing is worn off. Other than that shoots and feels like a new revolver. Approx. value anyone?

 

[Muley Gil]

Value depends on the amount of original finish remaining. Does it have the original, matching (numbered to the gun) grips?

 

[bettis1]

I agree that it looks to be original finish. Look at the small pin just above the left grip. If that has a rounded end, it's not a refinish.

Assuming that the butt number is 40284, the gun was delivered to the Government during the week of April 6, 1918 as part of a weekly shipment of 2349 revolvers.

Buck

I agree with Buck about the finish. Another point that dates it to the April 1918 time is that it still has the GHS in the circle on the top left frame. In April 1918 that was replaced with the Ordinance Dept. flaming bomb. Another change at that time was to replace the concave top grips with the convex top grips. That change was probably gradual so your gun might have had either.

Bob