How to ID factory Nickel 17-3???

[WCCPHD]

I saw a photo of a Model 17-3 with an 8 3/8 inch barrel in nickel. The gun has a target trigger, hammer and stocks and they are blued. It has a box that reflects that its nickel, but I'm not sure if the label is original. The cylinder does not have an "N" stamped on it and the barrel flat (under the ejector) also does not have an "N" on it. I called about the gun and the person was not very helpful. He said something about a star on the back of the cylinder.

How would I tell that its factory nickel (short of a letter) thanks much in advance,

Bill

 

[Hair Trigger]

He said something about a star on the back of the cylinder.

How would I tell that its factory nickel (short of a letter) thanks much in advance,

Bill

He was talking about the extractor star, which on a factory nickel plated S&W will be blued. You might also remove the stocks and look for a "N" on the left side of the butt frame. Also, on a factory nickel plate, the hammer and trigger will be color case hardened, like on blued guns.

 

[22hipower]

Or was he talking about a * used by S&W to connote a change/repair? These are generally on the butt, although not always. I'd have them pull the grips, if there is no N stamped on the butt I'd be very suspicious of the finish being factory. While the grips are off, see if there is a date stamp on the frame reflecting a trip to the factory. The factory was still stamping dates for repair/rework during the time the 17-3 was produced and perhaps for another 15 years after the -3 began. Pictures would help if you can get some.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[WCCPHD]

Tried to get them to take close up photos of the gun and box, but they said they were too busy. I might take a road trip tomorrow to look at it.

I doubt that its factory, but one never knows.

The only nickel one I've ever seen was a factory re-nickel and it was beautiful. The owner sent it back for a finish change when the gun was new and he never fired it.

 

[bdGreen]

Here is mine.
There are few known.
The invoice of the few, shown below, does not indicate any other barrel length than 6".

Never say never with S&W as a special order may have taken place for the one in question.

I would suspect not.

The 'star' is a sign of change. Most probably the nickel finish. And, correct labels are a dime a dozen if you know what to write and use the proper color ink. A typical refinish would be noted/stamped on the frame under the left grip panel. R-N stamped there would be 'typical'.

A proper box for that period SHOULD/COULD be silver, not blue. Another item that is questionable. Have seen it both way during that time frame.

Now, all this is moot if the finish change was done outside the factory.

enjoy,
bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.











NOT my Model 17-3.

 

[rwadley1]

WCCPHD, Does the label have any notations suggesting it was a special order?

I have seen the N stamped under the extractor, but that was on a pre model J frame.

 

[WCCPHD]

I haven't seen it in person, yet. Might possibly get to see it today????

 

[WCCPHD]

I went to the LGS that had the gun today. It was a refinish. Had the R-N and date on the frame. There were asterisks on the rear of the cylinder, the barrel flat and on the frame under the grips. It had a blue box.

The LGS had this nickel 17-3 and a blue one that both had the 8 3/8 inch barrels. The owner had bought a lot of guns from a collector and had 26 pre-lock revolvers. All in the box/display cases. Quite a bit of .22's, a 24, several 27's, couple of 57's and other assorted guns. All were in very high condition.

I left with a high condition 34-1 from 1969 in the box with tools and papers. I'll try to get photos of the gun later.

Thanks for all the help in appraising the originality of the gun.


Promised photos: I apologize in advance for the poor quality of the photos and my not wiping it down very well.

 

[ralph7]

Here is mine.
There are few known.
The invoice of the few, shown below, does not indicate any other barrel length than 6".

Never say never with S&W as a special order may have taken place for the one in question.

I would suspect not.

The 'star' is a sign of change. Most probably the nickel finish. And, correct labels are a dime a dozen if you know what to write and use the proper color ink. A typical refinish would be noted/stamped on the frame under the left grip panel. R-N stamped there would be 'typical'.

A proper box for that period SHOULD/COULD be silver, not blue. Another item that is questionable. Have seen it both way during that time frame.

Now, all this is moot if the finish change was done outside the factory.

enjoy,
bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.











NOT my Model 17-3.

Doesn't have the patridge front sight, maybe ordered that way? Is it lettered?

 

[paplinker]

I went to the LGS that had the gun today. It was a refinish. Had the R-N and date on the frame. There were asterisks on the rear of the cylinder, the barrel flat and on the frame under the grips. It had a blue box.

The LGS had this nickel 17-3 and a blue one that both had the 8 3/8 inch barrels. The owner had bought a lot of guns from a collector and had 26 pre-lock revolvers. All in the box/display cases. Quite a bit of .22's, a 24, several 27's, couple of 57's and other assorted guns. All were in very high condition.

I left with a high condition 34-1 from 1969 in the box with tools and papers. I'll try to get photos of the gun later.

Thanks for all the help in appraising the originality of the gun.

What were they asking for the gun? A really good factory refinished nickel gun can be fun have. I have one and its like a new gun.

 

[WCCPHD]

What were they asking for the gun? A really good factory refinished nickel gun can be fun have. I have one and its like a new gun.

They were asking $1499 for it.