Just purchased early serial # S&W 1917

[DEL56]

I have just taken possession of my first S&W 1917 which I recently purchased. It is a 4 digit serial #. All numbers match on it including the grips. It still has the original early hammer as well as a good bore. Got some half moon clips and took it out shooting, and it is accurate. Glad to have it and looking forward to shooting it in a future reenactment.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

They're excellent heavy duty revolvers.

 

[StrawHat]

I believe that one was shipped in December of 1917.

They are good, solid revolvers but limit them to the standard hardball cartridge or similar.

Kevin

 

[Nagkalimot]

Sharp

That is a nice looking pistol DEL!

 

[notsofast]

I believe that one was shipped in December of 1917.

They are good, solid revolvers but limit them to the standard hardball cartridge or similar.

Kevin

I have a Brazilian, if you could tell me more about what type of ammo to use and not use and why.

 

[Muley Gil]

I have a Brazilian, if you could tell me more about what type of ammo to use and not use and why.

Brazilian 1917s are around 75-85 years old. Stick with standard velocity .45 ACP ammo.

 

[austintexas]

I always shoot standard loads , especially when shooting at paper. In my youth I loaded hot loads but I learned better. I still have 3 boxes of hot 44 magnum, I try and shoot some each time I go to the range. Sooner or later it will be gone.
SWCA 892

 

[JH1951]

They were built to digest .45 ACP standard GI hardball.

 

[charlie sherrill]

My son has one with a little history. A friend of ours had one that his uncle carried during WWII. His father had mailed it to him when he enlisted and was transferred overseas. He was killed in the Hurtgen (sp?) Forest during the Battle of The Bulge in 1944. Someone, somehow sent his personal belongings to his sister, our friends aunt and the 1917 was in the box. She gave it to our friend, her nephew, and our friend got it from her a few years before her death. Our friend and former fellow S&W Forum member Leland passed away almost four years ago from Covid and left it to my son. It is one of his most prized possessions. We have shot it a few times and I always think of Lelend when we do. All the numbers are correct and it is very accurate being that it is over 100 years old. You have a very nice piece and I hope you enjoy it as much as the one my son has.

 

[StrawHat]

I have a Brazilian, if you could tell me more about what type of ammo to use and not use and why.

Standard 45 ACP ammunition is fine. They were built around the 230 grain jacketed round nose bullet and still shoot that well. They can also shoot any of the standard lead bullet ammunition. Avoid the +P, +P+ and other extreme ammunition that is out there. The 45 Super round is also NOT recommended even though it will chamber in that old cylinder.

If handloading, keep your loads in the standard range and you should be fine.

My revolvers like a cast lead bullet with a longer bearing surface.

Kevin

 

[gunbarrel]

Correction - I downloaded and enhanced the photo, and I believe that the grips *do* have the concave thumb print. It's just hard to see on the original photo; so, all is good.
-------------------------
Interesting that an early model (1917, 4-digits s/n) does not have the concave thumb print on the stocks, but they match the gun's serial number. See this post from Hoosier45. Maybe someone can explain.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...ps-reference-guide.html?highlight=Stock+types

 

[gunbarrel]

See enhanced photo.