45 1917 "Micro" conversion new pics....

[PeteC]

Back when the Earth was young and so was I, a favorite pastime was reading gun rags of the day and drooling over pictures and stories about up grading and adventuring with cheap, relatively common old S&W revolvers with adjustable sights, special grips, barrel and even caliber modifications. Then as the last of the woolly mammoths disappeared, a new generation of collector investors came along and such practices became frowned upon. I miss those days!
Froggie

I remember seeing guns that were converted from fixed to adjustable sights. Maybe around the 70's. I would not know how to price one. I saw a pre-WWII Heavy Duty, with adjustable sights stamped "Micro", and a Target-type hammer spur which did not look like it came from the factory. Probably converted sometime after WWII since Micro did not exist until the founder of Kings Sight Company passed away in 1945 . I can make a guess on the value of the gun, but with the conversion, not so much.

Even just an after-market front sight insert seems to turn people off. Then on the other hand, throw in a gold box with a random number not matching the gun, and the price jumps a few hundred dollars...

 

[raljr1]

That frontsail might cause some drift in a stiff breeze.....Nice old horse.

 

[James K]

The sight screw was buggered, in 5 min, removed the screw, cleaned it up and then the blue, it really comes in handy...

The rear sight looks set hard to the right. Lots of windage?

 

[Mbrgr1]

Nice to see a year old thread revisited...

The old horse is now wearing a fine old pair of Sambars, perfect fit..

 

[Mbrgr1]

The rear sight looks set hard to the right. Lots of windage?

I'm ashamed to say I have not shot it yet! Range report coming someday!

 

[PeteC]

When would this Micro sight have been used? I assume after 1945, and maybe some overlap with the production of a .45 Model with adjustable sights. Was this still a popular conversion into the 1970's (which is when I think I saw it first)??

 

[Mbrgr1]

When would this Micro sight have been used? I assume after 1945, and maybe some overlap with the production of a .45 Model with adjustable sights. Was this still a popular conversion into the 1970's (which is when I think I saw it first)??

I believe that if you wanted a S&W target .45 before the 1950 "Pre 26" and did not pay for a special order target variation of the 1917, conversion was the only option.


I am sure the brain trust will weigh in if I am incorrect.


This one shipped in mid 1930, the conversion is not recent, someone wanted a target gun "and" a fine back scratcher!

 

[mikepriwer]

Russ

Enjoyed the two documents you posted. 179014 cost $21.90 new in August 1927. Looks like the conversion happened in Aug 1971, 44 years later. A lot of work was done, including the new barrel. The price for all the work was $44.70, more than twice the original price of the gun! The destruction of the dollar was underway.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[paplinker]

I remember seeing guns that were converted from fixed to adjustable sights. Maybe around the 70's. I would not know how to price one. I saw a pre-WWII Heavy Duty, with adjustable sights stamped "Micro", and a Target-type hammer spur which did not look like it came from the factory. Probably converted sometime after WWII since Micro did not exist until the founder of Kings Sight Company passed away in 1945 . I can make a guess on the value of the gun, but with the conversion, not so much.

Even just an after-market front sight insert seems to turn people off. Then on the other hand, throw in a gold box with a random number not matching the gun, and the price jumps a few hundred dollars...

Well Pete you are correct that pricing can be tricky on converted fixed sight guns. I guess it comes down to why you want it and what are others willing to pay.
I have more than a couple converted fixed sight guns and am happy these guns don't speak to everyone.

I bought this a while back and its one of my favorites to shoot.
If you want a pre WWII target anything in five inch, it's an affordable route!!

 

[Kinman]

Well Pete you are correct that pricing can be tricky on converted fixed sight guns. I guess it comes down to why you want it and what are others willing to pay.
I have more than a couple converted fixed sight guns and am happy these guns don't speak to everyone.

I bought this a while back and its one of my favorites to shoot.
If you want a pre WWII target anything in five inch, it's an affordable route!!

Exactly my sentiments when it comes to nicely altered or factory refinished models. They get knocked down in price just enough to bring them into the realm of us that like to shoot nice old Smiths. Some alterations have a cache all their own like King altered pieces, there are folks that collect anything King has put his hand on. As a guy that still likes to shoot single action with a double action revolver I still get all goofy over King off set hammers, something with the full King treatment would really get my attention over a very nice unmolested model.

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

Whoowee! There's some purty guns here! I

Seems a place to share my meager contribution.

This one is marked "US Army" Near as I can tell, it dates back to 1925 or so. I picked it up a couple years ago. The lanyard ring and grips are reproduction. Grips need to be upgraded eventually. I have no idea when the bbl. was shortened to 3.5", and the sights were added. It was very well done though. The action is very smooth also. It's a work in progress. It shoots to point of aim quite well, but...man, that front sight is an eye sore!
I'm also not sure how it was so...blued and so unattractive at the same time. The finish seems too good to re-do and too bad to leave be. Some day I'll get it straight. In the meantime, it's a really fun range toy. I keep threatening to shoot Steel Challenge or League with it...

 

[Muley Gil]

As far as I know, the US Army marked 1917s were not produced past 1919.

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

Hmmm...it's marked "US Army Model 1917 with five digit SN#226XX

Maybe I just found some bad info on it? Heaven knows I've found plenty of oddness and disparity lately.

 

[StrawHat]

Hmmm...it's marked "US Army Model 1917 with five digit SN#226XX

Maybe I just found some bad info on it? Heaven knows I've found plenty of oddness and disparity lately.

Can you post an image of the bottom of the grip frame with the serial number? That will tell us a lot. Start your own thread if you prefer.

Kevin

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Yes, a picture of the bottom of the butt will help, especially if there is a star next to the serial. I say that because of the large trademark stamp on the side plate. WWI guns did not have a trademark stamp. Of course, the side plate could have been replaced along with the other mods which I doubt the factory would have done.

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

I went ahead and started a new thread. I don't wanna swing this one off course. Some very nice 1917s here, to include OP's.

Thank you for the insights though! I got a feeling I'm fixin' to learn some neat things!