FrankenSmif

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The SW Va Blue Ridge
A number of years ago I bought a couple of 1917 frames with the intention of building a .45 ACP and either a .44 Special or a .455. Two years ago I started digging out old parts that I had socked away over the years. I could get close to making both guns function, but not quite. I got tired of putting 'em together and taking 'em apart, so I stuck both frames away.

Anyway, I took a look at them about 3 weeks ago and laid them on the workbench. I started straightening up the bench today and ran across the box with some parts. Long story short, I was able to put one together and have it function. I stepped out back by the shed and fired six .45 AutoRims into the bank of the spring branch that runs next to the house in the holler.

Here's a couple of pictures. It's a commercial 1917 with a serial number in the 180xxx range. The cylinder is in the 155xxx range. It is in the white, as it appears that someone stripped it for reblueing. I had a pair of Kurac made smooth Magnas that I put on it. I'll try to shoot it on paper later this week.

P10100065.jpg


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Super job!! Getting the double action in a long action to work right is an art. I saw this gun a couple of years ago. It was completely stripped. Just the barrel and the frame. He found all the parts from various sources and fitted them.
 
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Great parts gun, and I bet it's as much fun to shoot and a completely matching original.

Dave
 
This revolver is built on the older round top frame. It was shipped from the factory in the mid 1930s, long after the introduction of the flat topped frames. S&W must have had a bunch of these frames on hand. I remember reading that S&W bought back from the gov't a bunch of parts after WW I ended.
 
Certainly a worthy project! I like it a lot - the grips look great with it, ... I suspect they feel pretty good too. I'll look forward to your range report. Thanks,

Jerry
 
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