Interesting 1917

[Chef]

I picked this up today in hopes of having a fun one to shoot. After researching the SWSC It appears to be a Brazillian model although the SN of 159XXX would be early for it. The remnants of the crest are on the right sideplate and it has the small S&W logo on the left. It is marked S34 inside the yoke but no flaming bomb or other military marks that I can find. The barrel and frame #'s match but the cylinder has been replaced. It has the checked hammer spur. It has the hole for the lanyard loop and is marked "N.A. Co." "RIDGEFIELD" in two lines under the left side of the cylinder. The barrel has a bulge behind the sight but it still locks up tight. The timing is slightly off on one of the cylinder stops. It will definately need work to function properly. Anybody seen a Brazillian model this early? Regards, Chef

 

[Chef]

I picked this up today in hopes of having a fun one to shoot. After researching the SWSC It appears to be a Brazillian model although the SN of 159XXX would be early for it. The remnants of the crest are on the right sideplate and it has the small S&W logo on the left. It is marked S34 inside the yoke but no flaming bomb or other military marks that I can find. The barrel and frame #'s match but the cylinder has been replaced. It has the checked hammer spur. It has the hole for the lanyard loop and is marked "N.A. Co." "RIDGEFIELD" in two lines under the left side of the cylinder. The barrel has a bulge behind the sight but it still locks up tight. The timing is slightly off on one of the cylinder stops. It will definately need work to function properly. Anybody seen a Brazillian model this early? Regards, Chef

 

[handejector]

Anybody seen a Brazillian model this early?

Actually, we are coming to believe that is one of the LATE Brazilians. It looks like the original 1937 order for 25,000 was filled with the pre-war commercial type gun having, by then, a flat-top frame, high polish, and checkered grips.
Then, in 1946, they ordered, or the savvy Hellstrom sold them, 10-12,000 more. Either way, Hellstrom, being very sharp, filled that late order with leftover WW I type guns- round top, smooth grips, duller blue. This type gun occasionally turns up with a 5-digit number. I think Hellstrom was doing a parts cleanup, making money from virtually nothing at that point, and getting ready to one day move to the under-construction new plant. He was a super-sharp guy!

 

[Chef]

Thanks Lee,
Would you think this one originally had the plain, smooth grips? I'm going to give it to my gunsmith tomorrow and ask him to see what he can do to tighten it up and in the meantime find some correct grips for it. It won't ever win any beauty contests but its got loads of character.
Regards, Chef

 

[sigp220.45]

Man, what a perfect candidate to make into a cut down carry piece. I like it!

 

[handejector]

Yes, smooth.

 

[digi-shots]

Chef.. nice find!

next to the S34 on the crane, is there a small symbol that looks like an eagle's head?

 

[Chef]

There is an eagle head above the S34 on the barrel flat under the crane.
~Chef

 

[Chef]

I actually found this one about a year ago at a local gunshop. I've jokingly asked him every time I've been in there if he was ready to take 250 bucks for it. Today he said "write it up", I'm happy!
Regards, Chef

 

[Chef]

I'm also going to get a replacement lanyard loop for this one, are the replacements listed on Numrich a good repro? And what is the proper part to secure it in the hole throught the butt frame, is it a roll pin or a solid pin??? Thanks all for the input!
Regards, Chef

 

[digi-shots]

Chef,

The eagle head is the Springfield Armory "eagle" and the numbers are the inspector's number. The frame is most likely left over from 1917. S&W bought back a number of these frames from the US miltary after WWI.

 

[handejector]

Solid Pin.

 

[john traveler]

The cross pin that secures the lanyard swivel is a solid pin.

 

[dogngun]

I have no doubt you will be able to shoot it...the 1917's are built like a dump truck, but they are great shooters.
This would be a fine candidate for a carry gun, or just get good grips and clean it up a bit.

Great price, too.

Enjoy.

mark

 

[Chef]

A forum member had an original, never installed Brazillian barrel which I purchased yesterday and another sold me an original lanyard loop.

Does anyone know where to aquire the correct lanyard loop pin or will a barrel end of the correct size, cut down stainless screw work?

I dropped it off at the gun shop today to get the action timing worked out. As soon as the barrel gets here I'll get that done. Now all I need is a correct set of grips (anyone got a set?) and it'll be a shooter! I'll post some pics when it comes together. Regards all, ~Chef

 

[m-1911]

I have used a finishing nail of the correct size, trimmed to the correct length, works fine

 

[DMark]

.... Does anyone know where to aquire the correct lanyard loop pin....

Numrich (Gun Parts Corporation) has had them in the pass.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1980z1917

 

[m-1911]

Just use a finishing nail of the correct diameter and cut it off, works fine

 

[azmick]

Just use a finishing nail of the correct diameter and cut it off, works fine

i had to chuckle when i read that. a few years ago an outfit up in Prescott was selling Turkish Mausers for $39.95 each, with bayonet. my brother asked if i wanted one and i asked him what kind of a POS do you get for 40 bucks. he and his buddy went up and got a pair and a couple weeks later Brother was out to shoot the thing. i was impressed enough to go up and get a few along with a wooden case full of 1939 vintage 8mm Mauser, corrosive primed, in strippers, cartridges. all of the rifles were packed with grease that smelled and looked like it came out of the axles of a 1938 Ford 2 ton truck, in 1948. we took the things apart to clean them and when putting them back together, i noticed the pins holding the barrel bands on were the same nails that held the wood case of 8mm shells together. so much for "arsenal refinish"

 

[Deacon KC]

Ah, someone else who has enjoyed the thrill of "Turkosmoline" a mixture of old oil, grass and probably the rendering leftovers from slow camels.