Are these U.S. 1917 grips / stocks concave or convex?

[oldblue]

Greetings - another gun new to me. In fact, I've not even received it from the seller yet.

I'm trying to learn whether the grips are from the 1917 period, or later style replacements from arsenal refurbishment. The seller states that the grips are unnumbered.

This is a S&W M1917 SN 70xx. Can you tell my looking at the grips whether or not they are concave (original to that period) or replacement convex? I know the definition of the words but, not having seen original grips before on this model gun, I'm unable to tell the difference.

 

[Muley Gil]

Those are convex grips. Concave grips would be dished at the top.

Look at post #13 in this thread:

Let's see your U.S. Model 1917 S&Ws!

 

[tenntex32]

Your example should have the concave (dished) top stocks. They would have been fit perfectly to the frame. The stocks you have now are not correct for your early s/n M1917.

It should also have the concentric grooved hammer. Maybe you can provide a side view pic of the hammer?

HTH,
Dale

 

[oldblue]

Your example should have the concave (dished) top stocks. They would have been fit perfectly to the frame. The stocks you have now are not correct for your early s/n M1917.

It should also have the concentric grooved hammer. Maybe you can provide a side view pic of the hammer?

HTH,
Dale

See attached photos. Otherwise, all SN's match; GHS inspection stamp.

 

[oldblue]

Those are convex grips. Concave grips would be dished at the top.

Look at post #13 in this thread:

Let's see your U.S. Model 1917 S&Ws!

Yes, that's perfectly clear - thank you!

 

[tenntex32]

​

See attached photos. Otherwise, all SN's match; GHS inspection stamp.

I'm no carpenter......but that's a good looking hammer!

Dale

 

[Muley Gil]

Your grooved hammer is correct for your 1917. Check the inside of the right grip. It may have a serial number in pencil there.

 

[oldblue]

Your grooved hammer is correct for your 1917. Check the inside of the right grip. It may have a serial number in pencil there.

Will do - when it gets here.

 

[Jack Flash]

Be sure to look for the serial number with a very strong light / magnifying glass.

 

[tenntex32]

The easiest way for me to remember the difference between concave or convex is by using the word cave.


A cave could be considered a hollowing out or shallowness....such is concave.

Probably not 100% correct definition wise but has worked for me ever since learning it in grade school.

Dale

 

[tenntex32]

Be sure to look for the serial number with a very strong light / magnifying glass.

Very good tip. I have actually had grip serial numbers that I swore were unreadable only to have a readable serial number show up in flash photography. In good enough light you may get lucky and not have to resort to camera tricks.

Also hold the grip at varying angles in relation to your light source. This has worked very well for me especially in combination with flash photography. Sometimes just the right angle will make an illegible serial number jump out at you with a proper amount of light.....and especially once you view the full size pics on a larger device such as a computer screen.

Dale

 

[Hoosier45]

Check this out...
Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks / Grips - A Reference Guide

 

[Jack Flash]

Very good tip. I have actually had grip serial numbers that I swore were unreadable only to have a readable serial number show up in flash photography. In good enough light you may get lucky and not have to resort to camera tricks.

...

Dale

When you think that the serial numbers were written in pencil on wood as a temporary identifier 100+ years ago, it's a wonder we can still read them at all!

 

[oldblue]

Your grooved hammer is correct for your 1917. Check the inside of the right grip. It may have a serial number in pencil there.

As promised, the revolver arrived and the number hand written inside the right stock in very faint pencil appears to be 168672. If they came off another revolver with that serial number, looks like it would have been a 1918 revolver.

Also, looks like all parts - frame, side plate, crane, cylinder and barrel all match; only the stocks are the odd man out.

I shot it at about 5 yards and it cut a ragged hole with Federal red box American Eagle ball ammo. I don't want to push those 102 year old springs too much, but she shoots great.

And it's a funny thing maybe, but, like many of you, I've shot many a handgun over the past 45 years or so, and I don't believe I've ever held a pistol that points as instinctively as this one: if I look at something and I lift the revolver, darned if it's not pointing right at the thing I'm looking at.

I'm sending in for a Jinks letter and I'll drop a note here if there's anything noteworthy.

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun. If you know the history of the 1917 Army revolver the letter will give the exact ship date, but the destination is very likely to be generic, like a government arsenal.