Let's see your U.S. Model 1917 S&Ws!

[1blindref]

You people have inspired me to take some pictures of my U.S. Army Model 1917s. In the first picture the one on top is SN 910xx. It looks to be unfired and would be 100% except for some moisture damage to the barrel and sight due to poor storage. On the bottom is my shooter,SN 359xx.

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Here is a view of the other side but with SN 359xx on top and SN 910xx on the bottom.

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For a comparison, here is SN 910xx pictured with my Colt Model 1917, SN 2096xx.

beautiful pictures!!

I'm looking for my "first" 1917 and this thread has got me drooling!!

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Here is my $300 gun show find (Dec 2009)

I have heard that the older guns get the weaker their steel gets and you shouldn't shoot a WWI gun like a 1917. I have been shooting commercial reloads through it (230 grain lead) and Walmart bulk ammo.

 

[mbinky]

Oh you guys are KILLING me! Great pics. I have wanted a 1917 for some time. I might have a line on one, haven't seen it yet. They are asking $425, it's a re-blue with incorrect grips (unknown kind). S/N 12158. What do you think? High? Low? any idea when it was made? I really want a shooter before I go for the higher grades.

Keep the pics coming!!!

 

[bmcgilvray]

That was $300 well spent and well worth it. I'd give anything to have my first Smith & Wesson Model 1917 back. It was a lower grade gun but solid and complete. It shot a treat and used to ride on my hip for hikes and hunting. I have to baby the one I have now.

"I have heard that the older guns get the weaker their steel gets and you shouldn't shoot a WWI gun like a 1917."

Yeah, I've heard that too. I wouldn't have many guns to shoot if it were so. Never ever heard or observed any evidence to support it. Something else that the internet rumor mill gave rise to, I suspect.

No, the guns age fine. The older the owners get the weaker their minds get.

 

[Gen.Eric Colt]

Old Steel

Im a gunsmith, Im a machinist, and I am an engineer with alot of experience, with metals. Some steels do weaken with age as most everything does. When it comes to shooting a gun, if there is any question about whether to shoot it or not, have a gunsmith look it over. As for the strength of these revolvers, they are built like anvils, in a day when people still used anvils. Though I wouldnt put them through my revolver all the time, I have and do shoot p+ through mine.No ill effects. 45Wheelgun: you sure do look like Moses? Your 17 is a mighty fine piece of work. Im going to make me a set of grips shaped just like your's I do like them. The barrel, is it a model 25 barrel? I have been thinking of doing this barrel change to my 17. Other than those two things, my 17 is almost the same as yours I retained the hammer spur, and No engraving on mine. I rounded the butt of mine too, makes it look like a Chief on steroids. I call it my pocket howziter.

 

[45Wheelgun]

45Wheelgun: you sure do look like Moses? Your 17 is a mighty fine piece of work. Im going to make me a set of grips shaped just like your's I do like them. The barrel, is it a model 25 barrel? I have been thinking of doing this barrel change to my 17. Other than those two things, my 17 is almost the same as yours I retained the hammer spur, and No engraving on mine. I rounded the butt of mine too, makes it look like a Chief on steroids. I call it my pocket howziter.

That is a sleeved M28 barrel. At least I think it is. It is tapered so it isn't a M25 barrel. You can see better pictures along with some closeups in this album:

S-W Forum - 45Wheelgun's Album: Heavily Modified 1917

 

[JDBoardman]

Were any of the S&W 1917's arsenal reworked like the Colts? I have never seen one with the military-applied parkerized finish, My 1917 has turned plum, and the finish is thinned - probably a result of poor storage or heavy civilian use.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I don't know about Parkerizing, but on mine, you can see a hint of it on the cylinder, just below the indent, a bit of the bluing that is left, on the other side by the muzzle there are a few flecks of bluing left. My feeling is that somehow the finish wore or was worn or cleaned off. THat is what caught my eye at first that it looked like a parkerized surface, but it is pretty much bare metal that has aged. I have a Colt 1917 that exibits much the same finish.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Were any of the S&W 1917's arsenal reworked like the Colts? I have never seen one with the military-applied parkerized finish, My 1917 has turned plum, and the finish is thinned - probably a result of poor storage or heavy civilian use.

Yes, many were Parkerized as part of the reconditioning process in the WWII era. This article should answer many of your questions:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/166052-article-model-1917-s-w-revolver.html

John

 

[S&W_aussie]

Mine is not as pretty as some of them in this thread but they are hard to come by here in Australia. This one had been a wall hanger in our local Army barracks.

I quite like the look of an old warhorse

Mike

 

[punxsutawneypete]

I picked up one of the 1917's that was sent to Brazil in the 1930's and then brought back to this country. The Brazilian crest is kind of a neat touch. I have it for my house gun because I figure seeing all those big holes will bring activities to a stop in a big hurry. Plus it would be hard for the news media to scream about a homeowner having an 80 year old gun.

 

[Jumbo]

Need help in Identifying .45

This .45 has no s/n. It is a family possession and I have little other info. Another member suggested it matches a 1917 but may have had the grips replaced. I appreciate any info.

 

[bettis1]

Jumbo,

Your revolver should have a serial number stamped on the base of the grip frame that you can see between the two grips. There are other places that the number can be found but the one on the butt is the official one.

If it has been removed, the gun is illegal under Federal law. Unfortunately, in years past, some people removed the serial numbers and US Property markings from these revolvers in the mistaken opinion that it would make them OK to own. Actually it has the exact opposite effect.

Bob

 

[wvron]

I have a 1917 revolver in 45 auto rim. It's in nice shape with the us army designation and loop for the lanyard. My problem is that along the years someone chrome plated it. Can the chrome plating be removed and then reblued to original or should I just leave it as is?

 

[Muley Gil]

"My problem is that along the years someone chrome plated it. Can the chrome plating be removed and then reblued to original or should I just leave it as is?"

Yes, it can, but unless it is an extremely special revolver (Black Jack Pershing's personal gun, for example), you won't get your money back out of it. You would be better off selling it and buying one in in original condition. If you only want a shooter, just shoot it the way it is.

PS: It will also fire .45 ACP ammo, with or without third, half, or full moon clps.

 

[wvron]

I'll just leave it as is since my mother gave it to me after my dad passed away. He was an old horse trader so I imagine he traded something for it.

 

[ElToro]

how did i miss this thread all these months.
heres mine bottom left corner. lanyard has been plugged and its reblued. got it for $200 a year or 3 back, so i couldnt pass the deal. shoots good with ball and standard velocity hollowpoints. i put the grips on that i found on fleabay. i must say these grips are not conducive to good shooting and like P220 says, pachys or hogues make it more fun to shoot but not nice to look at. it fullfills my indiana jones fantasy... if i ever luck into a beater brazillian i will cut it down and bob it. anybody shot 45AR thru theirs ? buffalo bore makes a serious 45AR round.

 

[BearBio]

Here's mine, along with one of those "others" and a 1903 Springfield, all from 1918.

 

[Powder Burns]

Wish I had the lanyard loop for it, but hey, the gun was free--and a good shooter.

 

[kframeman]

m1917 with Patrick Grashorn elk stags