1917 questions

[steelslaver]

A while back I was at one of my brothers house a year or so ago and believe it or not S&W revolvers came up. He showed me a really decent looking 1917. No US property stamp anywhere. Lanyard etc. I saw him again recently and I told him again how much I liked it. He said I should talk to his son, my nephew about it. Anyway what the price range on a real nice shooter grade of this type now days. It is not a family heirloom, he got it for a .couple hundred. I would like to add it to my 45 stash and be fair to nephew. He is into more modern guns.
Thanks. Can get more info next time I am there. Nephew is in school in Alaska, gun and brother 300 miles away from me.

 

[Muley Gil]

If it is a commercial model, it should be stamped with the small S&W trademark on the left side and have the serial number only on the butt. No US ARMY MODEL OF 1917.

 

[murphydog]

After making sure it still has the serial number (presuming it was a military 1917 Army with the property markings removed, and not a later/rarer Commercial gun) and original finish, I would think $600 or so depending on how really decent it is . If a nice 1917 Commercial, a lot higher. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Jack Flash]

Totally agree with MurphyDog. If it has had markings removed, make sure the serial number is still on the butt frame. If not, I wouldn't even consider buying it.


On the other hand, if it is a commercial model, it will be pricey. You may want to ask for the family discount.

 

[DWalt]

Military 1917s are easy to spot, as the U. S. ARMY stamp is on the butt. Also SNs for the military 1917 stopped at about 170,000. And they did not have the S&W logo stamped on the left side of the frame. Some military frames left over from WWI were later used to make up civilian revolvers. Some were made up in 1936 and also just after WWII for Brazil, easily recognized by the Brazilian crest stamping. Commercial 1917s are very desirable and are priced accordingly. You might check on GunBroker to see if any have sold recently and what price they may have sold for.

 

[steelslaver]

Nothing has been ground off it. Didn't check for the small logo, didn't know about that. Did think commercial because of the no US property. Going to call him up and see what he is interested in and tell him what it is. He has no big bores and he might want a stainless dual 45 colt/acp setup and a nice custom knife made up to suit him. as he is outdoors up there alot. Plus he likes to b uild stuff and uncle has lathe and mill.