Bubba'd 1917 Army: WARNING!

[bigwagon]

Warning: Bubba got a hold of this M1917 Army Model and the photos are not for the weak of heart!

The gun was sitting on a table today at a local show with a startlingly low price tag, so I had to take a closer look. I immediately noticed the modification to the underside of the hammer, but other than the Goodyears, the gun looked pretty good. Until the seller pointed out what the grips were hiding. I can't even imagine the reason behind this "modification," other than possible to mount some kind of ridiculous grip contraption.

The really sad thing is that other than the butchery, the gun is otherwise in outstanding mechanical and cosmetic condition. All the numbers match, the bore is perfect, and it locks up like a vault. So the good news is it should be a great shooter. I figured for $240 bucks it was worth taking home.

 

[delcrossv]

Why?

 

[younggun22]

Yikes!

Maybe for some sort of stock attachment?

 

[JayCeeNC]

Bet there's a heckuva story behind that one!!

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems obvious that a shoulder stock was intended.

 

[gmborkovic]

MY OH MY! For $240 I would have sprung. What is that spring screw?

 

[NYlakesider]

MY OH MY! For $240 I would have sprung. What is that spring screw?

Looks like a 1/4-20 bolt!

 

[bigwagon]

Yep, bubba also cobbled a replacement strain screw, but that's easily enough fixed. No idea what the modification was for, and the guy I bought it from had no idea either. He unfortunately had bought it without noticing the butchery and took a pretty good loss.

 

[6actual]

I wonder if @BMCM could fix? I have seen him bring some pretty hopeless looking stuff back to life

 

[Jack Flash]

Scary what some would do, but remember that these were available for peanuts back in the day and "experimenters" bought them to try out their ideas. If they screwed it up completely, sell it for parts and buy another for $25.

I don't think they "ruined nothin' important" (to paraphrase a current western movie). If it functions fine, you got a great deal.

 

[jimmyj]

Replace the mainspring tension screw, put the rubber grips back on, shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[gmborkovic]

Well at least the strain screw is not moving. If you look at the milling done on the back of the frame, somebody used a milling machine with the proper cutter. At least the guy did not use a chisel, grinding wheel, file or cutting torch to perform the modification. Bubba got a bum wrap on this one.

 

[merl67]

That modification wouldn't have scared me off as long as the action checked out. Lots of possibilities...

 

[andy52]

I've been looking for one just that cheap, modifications or not. I have in mind a display that includes a whip and a Fedora.

 

[H Richard]

Shuuudder, man that is hard on the eye's. Irregardless, I'd have bought it and hidden the butchery under some grips, and chopped the barrel to about 3+" . I've always wanted a big bore snubby, but can't bring myself to chop up a decent gun.

 

[moosedog]

Looks like it was cut out for a shoulder stock. Still a usable gun.

 

[2152hq]

Nice buy!,,,Ahh the endless possibilities of the project gun.

It wouldn't take a lot to fix the damage.
Good purchase at that price especially with an exc bore bbl. Those are tough to find.

 

[bamabiker]

Everyone says never say never with S&W. Maybe it's a one of a kind experimental gun from the factory. You better send for a letter.
LOL

 

[StrawHat]

That modification wouldn't have scared me off as long as the action checked out. Lots of possibilities...

Are these before and after photos?

Kevin

 

[Alk8944]

I have to disagree with gmborkovic, The flat on the knuckle was done by a man who knew how to use files, there are no indications otherwise.

Obviously done to attach a shoulder stock of local manufacture, doubtless by the same workman. The hammer was modified to allow clearance from the stock when installed. The hole in the arch behind the trigger guard was apparently to attach a screwed-on grip adapter or filler. There are signs on the frame above the hole that the gun had such an attachment at one time. Why the strain screw hole was drilled out and tapped oversize I can only guess. Looks like a 10x24.

I suspect the work was originally done sometime in the 1920s-early 1930s, before the NFA of 1934 would have made the gun illegal as a short barrelled rifle. The stock may have been discarded at that time, but the damage was already done. Too bad the filler is missing too.