Early M1917

[1srelluc]

I found this early M1917 today at a local pawn shop....Fair condition but OK for it's age I guess.

Serial # 9939.

GHS stamp....Concave grips....Circular mill marks on the hammer....All matching.....I could even still make-out the penciled serial on the right grip.

No rebuild evidence.

I gave $350.00 for it.

 

[handejector]

Where's that pawn shop?!!!
You stole it! Good for you.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. OP, great snag on an issued gun. How is the bore?

 

[larryofcc]

Where's that pawn shop?!!!
You stole it! Good for you.

And here come the Gun Police!!! Big Larry

 

[Ameshawki]

That was a steal.

 

[1srelluc]

Mr. OP, great snag on an issued gun. How is the bore?

Pretty darn good, there was some slight corrosion on the cylinder face but it cleaned-up OK.

I had to clean the area behind the yoke too so I could see the yoke serial number.

The main "wart" is some pitting on the cylinder but It's not all that bad.

BTW....What was the purpose of the circular milled hammer? I read where it was done away with later production.

 

[1blindref]

Score!!! Good for you. You've inspired me to go out treasure hunting again.
Thank you

 

[murphydog]

BTW....What was the purpose of the circular milled hammer? I read where it was done away with later production.

Some opined it was for oil retention on the sides of the hammer, but others thought it was just the factory showing off . This hammer type was only seen on early 1917s and Registered Magnums, as far as I have seen.

 

[1srelluc]

Some opined it was for oil retention on the sides of the hammer, but others thought it was just the factory showing off . This hammer type was only seen on early 1917s and Registered Magnums, as far as I have seen.

Till I read of it I just thought it was some sort of production shortcut.

 

[quinn]

Go buy a lottery ticket!

 

[Muley Gil]

Till I read of it I just thought it was some sort of production shortcut.

Elimination of the grooves was the production shortcut.

 

[merl67]

Just one word ....WOW !

 

[Hondo44]

Pretty darn good, there was some slight corrosion on the cylinder face but it cleaned-up OK.

I had to clean the area behind the yoke too so I could see the yoke serial number.

The main "wart" is some pitting on the cylinder but It's not all that bad.

BTW....What was the purpose of the circular milled hammer? I read where it was done away with later production.

You found a real treasure!

By the way, the number in the yoke is not a serial number; it's a factory "work" number also known as an "assembly" number. It's stamped in three locations: on the yoke, on the frame in the yoke cut, and on the indside surface of the side plate.

 

[larryofcc]

Some opined it was for oil retention on the sides of the hammer, but others thought it was just the factory showing off . This hammer type was only seen on early 1917s and Registered Magnums, as far as I have seen.

The Concentric grooves were still around in 1940. I had a 38-44 Outdoorsman lettered with a Humpback hammer, patent date, and Concentric Grooves. Big Larry

 

[StrawHat]

You found a real treasure!

By the way, the number in the yoke is not a serial number; it's a factory "work" number also known as an "assembly" number. It's stamped in three locations: on the yoke, on the frame in the yoke cut, and on the indside surface of the side plate.

Jim,

The OP may be describing the serial number stamped on the arm of the yoke, visible through a charge hole.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

…

I had to clean the area behind the yoke too so I could see the yoke serial number.
…

You found a real treasure!

By the way, the number in the yoke is not a serial number; it's a factory "work" number also known as an "assembly" number. It's stamped in three locations: on the yoke, on the frame in the yoke cut, and on the indside surface of the side plate.

Jim,

The OP may be describing the serial number stamped on the arm of the yoke, visible through a charge hole.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

I found this early M1917 today at a local pawn shop....Fair condition but OK for it's age I guess.

Serial # 9939.

GHS stamp....Concave grips....Circular mill marks on the hammer....All matching.....I could even still make-out the penciled serial on the right grip.

No rebuild evidence.

I gave $350.00 for it.

Very nice revolver and price. You could easily double you money.

That revolvers appears to have been accepted by the Army in January, 1918.

Kevin

 

[T44spl]

You got a helluva deal, yes an early 1917 with the concave grips and concentric gooves on the hammer. As I recall this feature was to ensure lubrication of oil for hammer movement. But the rigors of trench warfare clogged up actions with mud and dirt and this extra machining feature was done away with as a result. That's my recollection, please correct me if I'm wrong.
In any event you did very well, gun is easily worth double what you paid.
After congratulating yourself, a range report and a picture of the Right side is necessary.

 

[mojave30cal]

Wow, you stole that thing! Don't go to McDonalds as they
will turn you in to the Feds.

 

[murphydog]

The Concentric grooves were still around in 1940. I had a 38-44 Outdoorsman lettered with a Humpback hammer, patent date, and Concentric Grooves. Big Larry

Ah yes, the humpback hammers had this feature also.