4" Model 17-6 w/out full lug

[EricR]

I thought I'd found another Model 18. But the store had it listed correctly, a Model 17-6, with a four inch barrel and without full lug under the barrel. Of course I only figured this out after looking at my SCSW. I'm very fond of four inch K-frame 22's and am always on the lookout for a "shooter" 18. Anything special value wise for this four inch 17 w/out the lug? Naturally, it looks just like an 18-4 without the pinned barrel.

The SN is something I couldn't find in the SCSW though. Did I just not see see this in the book?

 

[H Richard]

I believe this is a somewhat scarce model. The 17-6 was normally a full lug barrel.

 

[Candrews86]

I don’t believe it adds any additional value. This was just a transitional model. Probably using old 17 barrels to fit -6 Frame before they went full lug with combat grips.

 

[CH4]

I understand there was a limited number of 17-6s sans barrel lug, but this is what the other 17-6 looks like.

 

[EricR]

I understand there was a limited number of 17-6s sans barrel lug, but this is what the other 17-6 looks like.

That's pretty cool

 

[22hipower]

Nice, but what is going on with that serial number? S150325?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Tritonman92587]

I have a 17-5 like that with the 4" barrel no ejector rod shroud , mine has a AUZ serial prefix, it even came with these nice combats, but I have replaced them with Magnas since then

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

That serial number is a real head scratcher. May of been a factory "salesman's sample", or something like that. Probably worth a factory letter.

The barrel isn't a full-lug, but it does have the "heavy barrel" (HB) profile. Traditionally, the Model 18 had a standard barrel profile -- a lighter barrel and a slightly different "pinched" frame. (Looking more like the Model 15 of the same era).

 

[g8rb8]

That serial number is a real head scratcher. May of been a factory "salesman's sample", or something like that. Probably worth a factory letter.

The barrel isn't a full-lug, but it does have the "heavy barrel" (HB) profile. Traditionally, the Model 18 had a standard barrel profile -- a lighter barrel and a slightly different "pinched" frame. (Looking more like the Model 15 of the same era).

Yes. Very unusual. Interesting. Odd.

Eric is a frequent and accurate poster and I trust his description this revolver really does have 17 dash 6 stamped on the frame but it would be interesting to see the stamp of the model number and the serial number on the frame opposite the yoke.

A Model 17 dash 6 should date to 1990-1994 and the triple alpha prefix serial numbers (i.e. AAA, AAB, AAC, etc.) transitioned into production between 1980 and 1983 so the single letter "S" prefix is odd. Possibly an old frame?

Old K-frames such as the .38 Special Military & Police Model. .38 Military & Police .38/200, and, .22 Military & Police (i.e. Post Office), a.k.a. pre-models 10, 11, and 45 had "S" prefixes so could this be an old frame from one of those?

 

[murphydog]

The serial number is from an N frame from about 1956; no way it was original from a K frame of the 1980s. The finish looks odd and the stocks look slightly proud at the bottom of the grip frame as well, so I suspect the original SN was milled off and a new one stamped if the photo is of the model 17-6 in question. If this is not a late April Fool's prank .

Is there an SN in the yoke cutout? It appears there is one in your second photo but I can't make it out.

 

[EricR]

Sorry I don't have clearer pics. But it was marked 17-6. While you still can't make that fact out in this zoomed pic, I'd actually done a voice dictation in my iPhone during the visit. The only thing I recorded was "17-6". Again, at that time I hadn't the knowledge of these later 17's in my head and only got a clue when I got home and researched the SCSW.

 

[N7BLW]

Nice, but what is going on with that serial number? S150325?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Looks to me like someone has really messed with this one!

 

[g8rb8]

I cannot see enough detail on the picture of the frame opposite the yoke in post # 11 to determine the actual letters and numbers BUT I can imagine the first 3 characters. Is it a serial number? There should be a matching S-prefix serial number on the frame opposite the yoke that matches the serial number of the bottom of the butt frame.

Re: the first character. If the first character is B that would correlate with production serial numbers from the late 1980's through the mid 1990's which would correlate with the time frame of the Model 17-6 (Circa 1990-1994).

I can imagine the next two characters as FF? A BFF prefix correlates with 1990.

MOD 17-6 should be stamped on the frame opposite the yoke. Is it there? The serial # on the bottom of the butt frame should be there too.

Is there a serial number on the back of the cylinder or under the ejector star? Is there a serial number on the bottom of the barrel above the ejector rod? How about better pictures stamping on the frame opposite the yoke and the yoke? frame

 

[murphydog]

Pretty sure I see prefix BEF in the photo of the yoke cutout, which correlates to the summer of 1989.

The bottom of the grip frame appears to have a factory SN format, just 40 years or so too early. Another thought, does there appear to be any welding evidence in that area? I suppose you could detach and weld the bottom of an N frame, then reshape it to a K; the question from there would be why.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

How would a store list this in their A&D and on the receipt? I'd run from it.

 

[rbmac52]

I don't think the original two photos are of the same gun.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

This case could be one of the rare circumstances where the Assembly Number (AN) could be significant. If the gun even has them (older era guns won't).

There should be matching AN's in three places: the yoke, the frame under the grips, and the back side of the side plate. If those numbers match, you know those major parts all came from the factory together. If they don't.... you've got a put together Frankin' Gun.

If the OP buys it, he should definitely get a factory letter. This might be the rare one-in-a-million case where a modern post 1980's gun deserves one.

 

[lscocoa]

I have the 6" 17-6 no lug and just missed out on an 8 3/8" 17-6 no lug . Not sure about the serial number but there is one 4" on GB .

 

[EricR]

I don't think the original two photos are of the same gun.[/quot

****. rbmac is correct. Gross error on my part. I apologize. The SN shot of the grip frame was actually from pre 27 in the same store. No excuse, I got sloppy. Sorry.

 

[Ted_tv]

Same SN S150325 a Pre Model 27
SMITH WESSON PRE MODEL 27, SN S150325 |




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