1917 Transition Model?

[gjamison]

I purchased this a couple weeks ago and finally got my hands on it today. When I sent the serial number to the S&WCA I was told that S210464 was for a 357mag. This gun serial numbers in all the right places, it also went back to the factory in January of 1948. Any information would be great. Thanks y’all.

 

[Muley Gil]

Don must not have looked at the 1917 serial number range. These had their own series of numbers.

 

[DARE]

SCSW 5th Edition talks about the 1917 Army (Postwar-Transitional). Says fewer than 1,000 in the serial number range S209792-S210782. That sounds like your gun to me.

 

[mh51]

Those were built shortly after S&W went back into commercial production after WW2. They were built using surplus frames and parts not used in military production. As David said, there were less than 1000 produced, and yours falls into that serial number range.
Neat gun, and hard to find!

 

[Gun Relics]

I wonder what the factory did? If they refinished, it was a heck of a job. All the lettering is still crisp. Could the star have been added just to differentiate between the n frame serial number overlap?

 

[wheelgun610]

Could the star have been added just to differentiate between the n frame serial number overlap?

No. The star on the butt, along with the '1.48' as stamped on the lower left side of the grip frame indicate that the gun was returned for service of some sort in January 1948.

 

[Muley Gil]

Please post a picture of the topstrap. If it has the square notch rear sight, it was built on a pre-WW II commercial frame.

 

[gjamison]

Please post a picture of the topstrap. If it has the square notch rear sight, it was built on a pre-WW II commercial frame.

 

[65Whelen]

Boy, that is in like new condition. Nice pickup. I want one too.

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes, that is definitely NOT a WW I surplus frame.

 

[SS336]

Beautiful revolver! A 1917 in that condition is a prize, would like to spend a day at the range just shooting and admiring it.

 

[DARE]

Roy Jinks book, History of Smith & Wesson says on May 14, 1946, the factory resumed production of the .45 Hand Ejector Model of 1917. Between May 14, 1946 and July 25, 1947, 991 new revolvers were serial numbered between 209,792 and 210,782. The factory also had an additional 10,868 frames on hand that had been manufactured during the 1930s and were already serial numbered. These revolvers were assembled and sold as late as 1949, when S&W officially dropped the 1917 Model from production.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

I purchased this a couple weeks ago and finally got my hands on it today. When I sent the serial number to the S&WCA I was told that S210464 was for a 357mag. This gun serial numbers in all the right places, it also went back to the factory in January of 1948. Any information would be great. Thanks y’all.

Let me get this straight: a tapered barrel N- frame with fixed sights chambered in 357 Magnum?????????
Smith & Wesson...make this.....IMMEDIATELY!

 

[wheelgun610]

Let me get this straight: a tapered barrel N- frame with fixed sights chambered in 357 Magnum?????????
Smith & Wesson...make this.....IMMEDIATELY!

They already did. The Model 520 was made for the NYSP ca. 1979-'80.

 

[Muley Gil]

They already do:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-20

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

They already did. The Model 520 was made for the NYSP ca. 1979-'80.

Yeah, but that had a heavy barrel like a Model 58 (Although I wish they'd bring that back, too)

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

I happily resend my previous comments.....now time to start looking!
Talk about a throw back to another era....only revolver that could match it would be a Colt New Service in 45 Long Colt

 

[wheelgun610]

Yeah, but that had a heavy barrel like a Model 58 (Although I wish they'd bring that back, too)

Unlike the 58, the 520 actually had a tapered barrel.

 

[wheelgun610]

They already do:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-20

Shame they're not offering that with a 4" barrel. I've already got a 6" HD that was reamed to .357.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Unlike the 58, the 520 actually had a tapered barrel.

I stand corrected! Matter of fact, it's my M28 without adjustable sights.