Is this gun a "early" Model 17 ND (No Dash)?

[cmansguns]

So....I know...I know....I have been told numerous times by you know who that when I go into a LGS for anything, that I am NOT to linger, loiter, drool or otherwise occupy myself at the "used revolver" counter............BUT...........No one around, obviously bored clerk, fantastic plastic at his hip, didn't seem to know much about revolvers so........"lemme look at that old Smith & Wesson there" Skip ahead about 25 minutes and I'm jumping in the car trying not to get caught with a huge smile on my face.

Model 17 No Dash (checked the yoke), seemed all correct, wouldn't let me pull the grips but I could see they are period correct. Beautiful bluing, I'd say 95 % or better, no muzzle or high spot wear at all, extremely slight turn line, almost none at all. No box or docs, just the gun.

Got it home started to clean for the first time in 66 years (serial number puts it at 1959 per SCSW 5th). The grip screw was very tight. I have the proper hollow ground screwdriver but am always hesitant to "force" any screw. Took my time, got it, and the grips right panel matches the serial number on butt.

Question: I will be asking Roy for a ship date over on the Members forum, but SCSW 5th says a 10-15% premium for "early" Model 17. What exactly constitutes a "early" Model 17 if Model #'s started sometime in 1957, with majority shipping in 1958, and this one having a K pre-fix assignment number within the 1959 range, is it "early" or not according to you folks on this forum?

 

[Truckman]

An "early" model marked anything would be (in my estimation) a first year shipment which would probably be 1958...That's my guess......Ben

 

[blackdeuce]

Very nice! My 17 no dash dates to around 1960 according to the book.

 

[mtgianni]

Nice gun, I have a no dash as well. Can I ask price?

 

[JP@AK]

K379406 could have been shipped anywhere from 1958 to 1960. Impossible to tell without a records search. Here are some nearby confirmed ship dates:

K375657 Model 17 shipped December 1959.
K376764 Model 14 shipped February 1960.
K381289 Combat Magnum (not model marked) shipped June 1958

I'm not sure what criterion Jim used for the "early" notation. But to my mind, any model marked 17 from the "no-dash" period, especially at that serial range, is "early." As far as I can tell, model marked K target units don't show up until the middle of 1958 anyway.

If you've been in Jim's "circle of advisors" when he is estimating values for the SCSW, you know that there is a significant amount of subjectivity involved. It is good advice, but it isn't perfect. Nor is the marketplace perfect; it is always fluctuating.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Here’s mine.
K63058.
5 Screw.

 

[cmansguns]

Nice gun, I have a no dash as well. Can I ask price?

Price after 25 minutes haggling ended up being $887.08 with taxes, 4473 Form (wouldn't take my C&R), BG check fee, so that was OTD. A little higher than I would like, especially with no box, tools, docs, etc. just the gun but on the other hand, how often do you see a 95% or better, no dash anything these days.

Another question for the experts....what would be the period correct box for this 1959 Model 17 ND? I have a blue/silver Bangor Punta box with a April 15, 1955 date in the inside bottom, 4 hole metal corner straps, but it is labeled for a 4" Model 10 and will not fit the 6" Model 17, but if it is "period correct" I'll be on the lookout for a longer one.

 

[Doc44]

The period correct box would be pre-Bangor Punta and the serial number would be written on the bottom in white grease pencil.

Bill

 

[Doc44]

The serial number dates the revolver to 1959-60, so probably a year or two after model numbers were stamped in the yoke cut. Probably not an early Model 17 (but, I have no idea what criteria Supica and Nahas were using to define early).

Bill

 

[cmansguns]

Thanks Bill for the correct box definition. Now I see that Bangor Punta took over in 1965, so my Bangor Punta top and April 15, 1995 bottom are obviously mismatched. Somebody hand marked up a torn end label and there is no serial number written on the bottom, so "just a box". It does fit my nickel Model 10 no dash (4") so stays in the stash.

 

[JP@AK]

I see that Bangor Punta took over in 1965, so my Bangor Punta top and April 15, 1995 bottom are obviously mismatched.

No. I doubt they are mismatched. First, the date is April 15, 1955, not 1995. But that date is associated with the liability and warranty statements and remained on boxes long into the Bangor Punta era. I have several of them in my safe.

 

[bullmack]

K393279 shipped March 1960

 

[Rex B]

OK, I'm clueless. What's the big deal about dash or no-dash, early vs late?
Mine is a late 17 K84 5985

 

[JP@AK]

Mine is a late 17 K845985

That would be a Model 17-3 from 1968.
The dash numbers indicate engineering changes. The dash 3 was introduced in 1967,

 

[Troystat]

Nice looking revolver, seems like you got it for a really nice price.

 

[Sebago Son]

Some 'typical' traits of an "early K-22" are a large ejector rod head, narrow barrel rib, and a 'Fishhook' hammer.