4" 617 Ashland. Should be elated but....

[Jerryatric3]

Been looking for a 4" 617 no dash for a LONG time. Friend called, son-in-law has one in great condition that he wants to sell. I'll take it.....agreed on price, ran to car for the hour and a half drive to pick it up. Haven't been this excited in a LONG time.

Seller proudly hands me his 617. Never seen anything like it, no lug, matt finish and definitely not what I've been looking for. He is so excited about the sale that I couldn't bring myself to tell him I didn't want it. Forked over the cash for the LONG ride home.

Got home and started trying to figure out what I just bought. 4" stamped Mod. 617, serial number BHP73XX, matt finish and combat stocks. Found a few threads....one of two hundred, Ashland, 1991 special run, holy grail of K22's etc.... Called seller back and told him this was a collectable gun and if he put it up for auction could get considerably more for it than what I just paid him. "Nope, I'm happy with sale and don't want to bother with auction".

Soooo....did I score the Holy Grail as some have called it?? Excited but at the same time the whole search was for a twin of my 4" 686 which this definitely is not. The search continues, 4" 617 no dash LNIB. I know there's one out there.....

 

[Shark Bait]

I'd be thrilled with that gun at the right price. Sorry, no sympathy here, unless you want to send it to me.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Sent you a PM

 

[weatherby]

Someone was looking out for you on Memorial day.
That's a gift horse for sure.

 

[jack the toad]

Congrats on a very nice and desirable M617.
Did it come with box, etc?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Been looking for a 4" 617 no dash for a LONG time. Friend called, son-in-law has one in great condition that he wants to sell.


.

Soooo....did I score the Holy Grail as some have called it?? ....

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Snapping Twig]

You scored!

 

[Jerryatric3]

Unfortunately no box or papers......bummer eh?

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Those have traded hands in the $3,000 and more range. Don't give it away.

 

[Jerryatric3]

Those have traded hands in the $3,000 and more range. Don't give it away.

No box or papers but excellent condition. What would you guess?

 

[Shark Bait]

Unfortunately no box or papers......bummer eh?

Enjoy it and drive on Soldier. I sure as heck would!

 

[one eye joe]

Been looking for a 4" 617 no dash for a LONG time. Friend called, son-in-law has one in great condition that he wants to sell. I'll take it.....agreed on price, ran to car for the hour and a half drive to pick it up. Haven't been this excited in a LONG time.

Seller proudly hands me his 617. Never seen anything like it, no lug, matt finish and definitely not what I've been looking for. He is so excited about the sale that I couldn't bring myself to tell him I didn't want it. Forked over the cash for the LONG ride home.

Got home and started trying to figure out what I just bought. 4" stamped Mod. 617, serial number BHP73XX, matt finish and combat stocks. Found a few threads....one of two hundred, Ashland, 1991 special run, holy grail of K22's etc.... Called seller back and told him this was a collectable gun and if he put it up for auction could get considerably more for it than what I just paid him. "Nope, I'm happy with sale and don't want to bother with auction".

Soooo....did I score the Holy Grail as some have called it?? Excited but at the same time the whole search was for a twin of my 4" 686 which this definitely is not. The search continues, 4" 617 no dash LNIB. I know there's one out there.....

I WOULD NOT BE HAPPY EITHER ! ! !

YOU RE NEVER GOING TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS M617. IF IT IS SUCH A HOT ITEM, CLEAN IT UP, TAKE SOME GOOD PICS, AND POST IT ON GUN BROKER.....

START IT OFF AT A BID EQUAL TO WHAT YOU PAID FOR IT, PLUS $35. FOR SHIPPING. ADVERTISE THE GUN WITH "FREE SHIPPING", TO SWEETEN THE DEAL.....

JUST ONE BIDDER, AND YOU HAVE YOUR MONEY BACK. THEN YOU CAN RESUME YOUR HUNT FOR THE M617 THAT YOU REALLY WANT.....
,

 

[k22fan]

The holly grail? Close, but not quite. THE holly grail of stainless K-22s is the one and only K-22 Combat Masterpiece. It is a stainless Model 18 that got stamped Model 6x. I forget the last digit. It is owned by a forum member. You did get close. Damn close.

By the way, THE holly grail of S&W .22s is THE .22 Registered Magnum. Its where abouts are unknown.

 

[CH4]

Very nice! Didn't know there was such a creature. Great story

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

.... THE holly grail of S&W .22s is THE .22 Registered Magnum. Its where abouts are unknown.

Yes. Last I heard it was last seen in a clam shell holster with the Loch Ness Monster headed North for fifty thousand leagues under the sea. [emoji6]

 

[S&WsRsweet]

I'm no k22 expert but even I know what a good example of the Ashland is worth ,wow talking about falling in tne stuff and comin out smellin like a rose. I must applaud your efforts to not take advantage of the fella you got it from that was very nice of you.

 

[The Norseman]

S&W Model 617 .22lr Ashland

Thank you for sharing a Great Story and
Great Revolver. Also thank you for the pictures.

Congratulations and Enjoy. Please post a Range
Report when you shoot it.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Yes you did. Don't anyone con you out of it.

 

[Tom_R]

If that gun was dragged behind a garbage truck I still would have snagged it just for the grips.

You did great. That is one beautiful piece of Smith and Wesson Goodness.

 

[Jerryatric3]

Thank you for sharing a Great Story and
Great Revolver. Also thank you for the pictures.

Congratulations and Enjoy. Please post a Range
Report when you shoot it.

There will be NO range report from me. Doubt I could bring myself to shoot it. That's why I'm still looking for the 617 no dash.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Shoot it. That's what it's purpose...........Guns were made to shoot........Pictures were made to look at.....You'll being doing yourself a great disservice not to enjoy it.......80% of my Smiths were NIB at one time.. I enjoy shooting them all.

 

[410bore]

Shoot it. That's what it's purpose...........Guns were made to shoot........Pictures were made to look at.....You'll being doing yourself a great disservice not to enjoy it.......80% of my Smiths were NIB at one time.. I enjoy shooting them all.

That's YOUR opinion and one held by lots of others but this is the OP's gun and he doesn't really care for the half lug, he WANTS a full lug 617 No Dash to match his 4" 686. So, you couple that with the fact that its a very scarce example and you can see why he's not just going to shoot it.

OP, it sounds like the best plan of action is for you to sell this beauty to someone who loves it for what it is, then you can go buy a 617 No Dash and have LOTS of money left..... Problem Solved.

 

[Jerryatric3]

Shoot it. That's what it's purpose...........Guns were made to shoot........Pictures were made to look at.....You'll being doing yourself a great disservice not to enjoy it.......80% of my Smiths were NIB at one time.. I enjoy shooting them all.

I agree with you but...not in this case. My guns hang out in the safe but NONE of them are queens. They get shot or they're gone. I will get a 617 no dash to shoot, enjoy and round out my small stable. I would not enjoy shooting the Ashland always worrying about a ding, nick or scratch. Just me but the more I learn about them the more I think it belongs with a real collector which I'm not. 410bore hit the nail on the head.

 

[center_shot]

Sell it, buy a new 617 - hold the rest of the money until you find the no dash that you really want then buy it. Sounds like it should easily be worth enough to do that. Maybe even put out a feeler for a trade +$ to get what you want?

 

[one eye joe]

That's YOUR opinion and one held by lots of others but this is the OP's gun and he doesn't really care for the half lug, he WANTS a full lug 617 No Dash to match his 4" 686. So, you couple that with the fact that its a very scarce example and you can see why he's not just going to shoot it.

OP, it sounds like the best plan of action is for you to sell this beauty to someone who loves it for what it is, then you can go buy a 617 No Dash and have LOTS of money left..... Problem Solved.

THAT'S JUST HOW I SEE IT, 410bore. THE ASHLAND IS JUST NOT HIS CUP OF TEA---AND IT WILL NEVER MATCH HIS 4" M686.....

HOPEFULLY, HE WILL REALIZE A HEALTHY PROFIT FROM THE SALE, AS YOU POINT OUT, AND HAVE THE M617 THAT HE DESIRES, WITH MONEY TO SPARE........

 

[CLASSIC12]

I understand the urge, I was happy to find a 17-6 to twin with my 586-1M. They make a great pair.

(I am amazed this fairly modern 617 would be so expensive and sought after. I'm an ignorant, but it doesn't look like much to me).

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

THAT'S JUST HOW I SEE IT, 410bore. THE ASHLAND IS JUST NOT HIS CUP OF TEA---AND IT WILL NEVER MATCH HIS 4" M686.....

HOPEFULLY, HE WILL REALIZE A HEALTHY PROFIT FROM THE SALE, AS YOU POINT OUT, AND HAVE THE M617 THAT HE DESIRES, WITH MONEY TO SPARE........

Then why buy something you don't want or like. Doesn't make sense.

 

[Jerryatric3]

Then why buy something you don't want or like. Doesn't make sense.

Mike....sorry you're confused. Read original post, paragraph two, and maybe will make more sense to you. I made a deal over the phone and had to follow through on what I had agreed to.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Mike....sorry you're confused. Read original post, paragraph two, and maybe will make more sense to you. I made a deal over the phone and had to follow through on what I had agreed to.

Want or not I would have made the deal also.

I would have had to put on a Poker Face long enough to get back in the car before I started yowling about the deal I just made.

 

[wood714]

Been looking for a 4" 617 no dash for a LONG time. Friend called, son-in-law has one in great condition that he wants to sell. I'll take it.....agreed on price, ran to car for the hour and a half drive to pick it up. Haven't been this excited in a LONG time.

You scored in great multitudes, but driving an hour and a half without seeing a picture of the gun first?