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

[Hondo44]

The only numbers that would be serial numbers and therefore important are on the rear face of the cylinder, on the flat under the barrel and on the butt of the gun by the lanyard ring hole. There sould be a number stamped on the back side of the right grip.

What are those numbers?

 

[Culturology]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your speedy reply. Here you go.
Rear face of cylinder: 61128
Flat under barrel and on butt: 106066
Back side of right grip: 172 over 141

What do these tell you?

Cheers,
Clay

 

[Hondo44]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your speedy reply. Here you go.
Rear face of cylinder: 61128
Flat under barrel and on butt: 106066
Back side of right grip: 172 over 141

What do these tell you?
Cheers,
Clay

Clay,

That tells me the cylinder and grips have been changed. There's two other places to look for the serial number 106066 to see if those parts are original.

Push the ejector star out and look on the back side of it.
With cylinder open look thru one of the chambers at the rear face of the yoke (the swing arm) with a good flashlight.

 

[Muley Gil]

Is the serial number, 106066, the only marking on the butt or does it have the US Army markings?

 

[Culturology]

Hi Guys,

The rear face of the yoke has the same number as the rear face of the cylinder: 61128. (I had no idea there might be numbers on the rear face of the yoke!)

There are no US Army markings on the butt, or anywhere else.

Thanks so much for helping me learn more about this Mod. 1917!

-Clay

 

[Hondo44]

That tells me the cylinder and yoke were swapped which is not that uncommon. Someone may have re-chambered the original to 45 Colt and later it was made back into a 45 ACP like it came with.

There were two Smith $ Wesson Brazilian production contracts; 1937 and 1946. Based on your # 160066, it is from the 1st contract. Your cylinder & yoke # 61128 indicate they came from an original 1917 US military contract gun from 1917.

Being a Brazilian contract gun it would not have any US military markings.

Lanyard rings and retaining pin can be had from Numrich, Propperts Parts and others. Just Google.

 

[JoeHatley]

My 1917 Commercial

It's been reblued with a matt finish. Someone did some creative file work on the front sight. The wood grips are long gone.

However... It's mine and it shoots to point of aim with my handloads.

 

[maxwell]

My 1937 Brazilian contract with a grip filler and Wonder sight.

 

[red14]

I (believe) have an old U. S. Model 1917 S.W. 45. The serial number is 28XXX. The same serial number is also stamped on the cylinder. There is no lanyard. It is nickle plated. S.& W. D.A. 45 is stamped on the left side of the barrel. GHS is stamped (not very well) on the left side near the firing pin. The grips are plastic.

It has some rust damage (can't get my camera to work, will try later), and wear near the edge of the muzzle. The firing pin is loose. Age would be nice if anyone can tell me, how much it is worth would also be helpful.

It is a family heirloom and may be traded/sold in the family. Just want to be fair for both sides.

 

[Hondo44]

I (believe) have an old U. S. Model 1917 S.W. 45. The serial number is 28XXX. The same serial number is also stamped on the cylinder. There is no lanyard. It is nickle plated. S.& W. D.A. 45 is stamped on the left side of the barrel. GHS is stamped (not very well) on the left side near the firing pin. The grips are plastic.

It has some rust damage (can't get my camera to work, will try later), and wear near the edge of the muzzle. The firing pin is loose. Age would be nice if anyone can tell me, how much it is worth would also be helpful.

It is a family heirloom and may be traded/sold in the family. Just want to be fair for both sides.

You have a very early Model 1917 made in 1917. Unfortunately It has been re-finished in nickel plating, the lanyard ring and the original wood stocks are missing, all of which has compromised the originality and value. The weak GHS stamp is due to over buffing when re-finished.

The firing pin is supposed to be loose (called 'floating)' to align itself with the small hole in the frame to fire properly.

It's only worth that of a shooter in it's present condition. If the barrel bore is decent and it's mechanical function is sound it's worth about $300 to 400 at best.

 

[alwslate]

Here's mine, an early production gun with inspector mark and grooved
hammer. With missing lanyard ring, Eagle grips, some finish issues and
a barrle bulge about 1/2 in in front of the receiver it's strictly shooter
grade but it's mine.

 

[Powder Burns]

New Auto-Rim

Wow they sure look different with modern grips. Totally changes the look.

FYI, Buffalo Bore has recently introduced standard pressure 45 Auto-Rim in 255gr hard cast flat nose, 225gr wadcutter, and 200gr JHP.
I got some the the 200gr JHP for house gun service. These are all pretty hot performers for standard pressure, more like +P performance for most brands. (You can read the details and safety claims about 1917s, or order the ammo on their website.)
Sorry if this is a repost...I did not read each and every page of this thread.

Rob

 

[Russell Cottle]

Thoght I'd add mine to the list. I picked it up several years ago in a pawn shop in a neighboring county while I was there attending court. All the numbers match, but it has been modified by a previous owner, barrel shortened, ramp front sight added and the whole gun nickeled. I added the grips.

 

[Old Corp]

I'll try to get better photos soon, but this is my M1917 recently picked up.

I had to cull one I already had, which unfortunately some nimrod had removed ALL gov't markings, and reblued/refinished, etc. They even nickeled the hammer and trigger. - How did someone think that was a good idea?
Anyway, that one's gone, replaced by this one.
This one is a 210xx gun, with a non - grooved hammer. Appears all original, even down to the pencil-inscribed grips with matching s/n.

Now, I'm wanting a period-correct holster, but don't know why - it's not like I'm gonna take her on a woods-beating excursion.
This is a strange affliction.

 

[jimwvisi]

Ugly old 1917

You all have posted some beautiful 1917's. Now it's time for an ugly one. This one belonged to my grandfather, who probably picked it up surplus as he had no military service. He died in 1929 so it has been in the family at least that long. It had some rough treatment along the way and has some corrosion issues but seems very tight and shoots well. I'm thinking that in this condition it is a shooter, not a collector, and as such I wouldn't be wrong to get it refinished. I'm thinking of sending it off for a Black-T or Green-T treatment, maybe like the Ruger revolver they have on their web site under pictures. I would put some nice grips on it and have a fun range gun that will last another 100 years. What do you folks think?

 

[Mcharliemc]

i 1917 S&W 45 everything original as far as i know the grips etc the serial no is on the butt and cylinder, it is the military type. It was handed down to me.
Charles
e mail [email protected]

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Here's my 1917 Commercial:

 

[Oyeboteb]

You all have posted some beautiful 1917's. Now it's time for an ugly one. This one belonged to my grandfather, who probably picked it up surplus as he had no military service. He died in 1929 so it has been in the family at least that long. It had some rough treatment along the way and has some corrosion issues but seems very tight and shoots well. I'm thinking that in this condition it is a shooter, not a collector, and as such I wouldn't be wrong to get it refinished. I'm thinking of sending it off for a Black-T or Green-T treatment, maybe like the Ruger revolver they have on their web site under pictures. I would put some nice grips on it and have a fun range gun that will last another 100 years. What do you folks think?

I really like it the way it is...it is "Honest". It has true character.

I would gadly buy it in-a-Heartbeat if it were at a Gun Show, and I would treasure it just like it is.

Re-finished old Guns are a total bore or worse, usually, much worse. And, once refinished, they can never be put 'back'.

Leave it be!

 

[Oyeboteb]

All 'matching', never been re-finished. someone Hack sawed the Barrel off at a slight angle, and eft the Saw Marks on the Muzzle Other than getting the Mechanism into good working order, ( as far as I can figure out in examining it, the Hammer Strut was shortened and it is causing the Mechanism to 'bind' ) the only other thing I might do, is to put some Black Friction Tape around the Grip...which is also to say, that I like the old 'Gut Bucket' just as it is ( and I do, too! )

 

[jimwvisi]

I believe that one beats mine in the ugly contest! If it could talk I wonder what tales it could tell.