Help identify a 45

[71firebird400]

Hi guys,

I stick to (mostly) the post-war stuff so want to make sure I'm not mis-identifying this gun. Can anyone verify what I'm seeing here? Also, an approx value would be great; note that the stocks are missing a piece in the circled area.

Serial number is supposedly 174XXX

I'm thinking it's a commercial 1917, but have been wrong enough times to doubt myself

 

[DCWilson]

That is a commercial issue of the US Army Model of 1917 in .45 ACP. From features it was made in the 1920s. I can't tell if the gun has been refinished because of the contrasty lighting, but I suspect it may have been. If it is a refinished gun, $700 is high; if not, the price is good and maybe even low. Additional pics with flatter lighting would help answer that question.

 

[DWalt]

For signs of refinishing, look for any waviness in the flat surfaces, dished screw or pin holes, the line around the sideplate where it meets the frame, and any softness of the stampings in the metal. They should be sharp and crisp. The chip in the grip panel can be easily restored. Those are typical of the 1920s.

 

[71firebird400]

Thanks for the verification, guys. I'll see if I can better pictures as I too ma suspicious of a refinish.

 

[handejector]

The gun is refinished.
It also has a logo on BOTH sides.
That is very, very weird.

 

[DCWilson]

Maybe I need a computer monitor with better color and contrast adjustment than this one provides. The sideplate logo was just lost in the black until it was pointed out, and even now I can see only a few faint marks that can be interpreted as part of a S&W logo.

I wouldn't expect to see a sideplate logo on a 1917 until the late 1930s at the earliest. I wonder if this gun was originally a second contract Brazilian that got a new sideplate when it was refinished.

Just thinking out loud. I have a second contract Brazilian in the 173xxx range, and I cannot now recall how far into the 17xxxx range the numbers ran for this contract.

 

[71firebird400]

Lee- good eye!

Thanks everyone.

 

[DWalt]

I thought the earlier Brazilian contract 1917s started a little higher than in the 170,000 range, but I don't know. There were some lower SN 1917s made up from old 1917 receivers in S&W inventory even after WWII.