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

spad124 said:
Thanks. My 1917 was obviously issued and used. Sometime during its lifetime it was reblued. But all numbers still match except the sideplate and it really likes a diet of .45 auto rim with 231. Because I prefer shooters, its a keeper for me.
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The side plate is not serial numbered. If you're referring to the # you see on the inside of the sideplate, that is the factory assembly/'soft fitting' # and should only match the same numbers in the yoke hinge on the frame and yoke if the side plate is original.
 
I don't think I ever posted this humble old example.

u6ehezug.jpg
 
Hondo44 said:
Wow, gorgeous!

And it already has the fat top grips. Are there shoulders in the chambers or bored straight thru?
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This gun is completely orginial, numbers everywhere it should even the grips. Should have a factory letter soon.
 
Hondo44 said:
The side plate is not serial numbered. If you're referring to the # you see on the inside of the sideplate, that is the factory assembly/'soft fitting' # and should only match the same numbers in the yoke hinge on the frame and yoke if the side plate is original.
Click to expand...

Jim,

You are correct. My error. I checked tonight, the inside of the side plate and yoke hinge both have the numbers: 541 38 (with the space as indicated). Because the assembly number on the sideplate is 5 digits, I thought it is the sn from a different 1917. Thanks. It's good to know my 1917 is really all matching!

Tim
 
One of these days I'll take a real picture. Still haven't gotten around to firing off a round. I seem to recall that perhaps this didn't have the safety block. All I actually remember is something about the safety block, from this forum including pics, so half a moon and two singles w/hammer resting on empty hole. This was sold as a five digit SN. However, further inspection revealed that in spite of the actual six digit SN being in four separate areas an assembly number inside the crane was used.

An easy enough mistake I suppose though as I recall the original listing pre-auction was indeed the correct SN. Anywho, after contacting the appropriate government agency, incorporating my tax dollars at work, a letter was expedited admitting the error.

You cannot see from the profile, but the stags have a palm swell on the left side. Intentionally or not they were made for a southpaw. Also of note is instead of being flat on the heel they have around 30* angle. Not sure if this was the original cut or perhaps to repair a chip. It could have been that material was running out or it was cut to help prevent chipping in future use.[ETA: I also thought that maybe the angle on the butt was cut to prevent the stag from digging into a gent of generous girth whilst holstered.]

Reblue w/obvious wire wheel buffing behind the blast shield. Ordinance bomb stamp, "United States Property", US Model 1917, in spite of cut lanyard bolt, & all SN still legible. Matching SN 1190XX w/lot of colour on frame, not quite as much on cylinder or right side of brl. The rifling shows damage in what I speculate was a flat blade screwdriver clearing a squib.

The odd aspect is a capital R stamped under the ordnance bomb, cylinder face & on the brl flat next to the frame. I'm not sure as to the intent/meaning. All in all I've grown fond of this example as slightly modified to taste. I paid more because of the stags and the 5 digit SN that didn't pan out. I could have returned it for refund, but chose to keep the sidearm.

It might now be worth what I paid!
 

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Is there any special literature dealing with the 1917 and 1937/1946 Brazil contract models?

Some more questions about these guns concerning their working constitution:

How are these guns regulated? 6 o'clock hold, point of aim or for just hitting the target. I know, I know, those guns were meat to be a workhorse for soldiers - not for paper punching.

What about the disease called "oversized chamber throats" often found on S&W M 25 models. Are the M1917/M1937 suffer the same way?

What about the availability of the half moon clips? Are they still available?
 
Dingotech said:
Bought this 1917 a year ago. According to the proof marks (the crossed flags, I am told), this either went to the British or Canadian military under Lend Lease. I'm guessing that this was initially chambered for the .455 MkII round and later converted for .45ACP.

The new barrel is a .45 Colt CTG and the gun shoots .45 ACP nicely.

I am currently looking into converting this into .45 Colt. It's not clear to me if I can simply have the cylinder reamed or if I must find a new cylinder/crane.

It's certainly an ugly duckling, but it's a lovely little ugly duckling.
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You can have the cylinder reamed to accept 45 Colts, BUT it is not a good plan because it would have .030 to much head space. The rear of the ACP cylinders are longer from the center of the ejector to the rear of the cylinder to allow for the moon clips. Some have done it but when you shoot Colts in it they will move forward the extra .030 when the firing pin strikes then slam back upon ignition. NOT GOOD. You can convert a model 28 357 cylinder. I may have one already done coming available as I am fitting a longer 44 mag cylinder that I am reaming to 45C and milling the center for 45ACP full moons to use in my 25-2. Once done I will have a extra 45 ACP cylinder and a 45 Colt cylinder that are 'homeless"

I have also seen a short 45 Colt cylinder for a 25-3 for sale at GB recently. The 25-5 and 25-7 cylinders are longer in the front as there is less barrel inside the frame. The shorter length cylinders do not allow a few of the longer 45C loads like the 255gr Keith bullet when seated to the crimp groove as the nose of the bullet sticks out slightly from the cylinder. Most commercial loads function fine. Maybe not the really heavies, like the 300gr, but those should be avoided in these older guns anyway.
 
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ElmerKeith said:
Is there any special literature dealing with the 1917 and 1937/1946 Brazil contract models?

Some more questions about these guns concerning their working constitution:

How are these guns regulated? 6 o'clock hold, point of aim or for just hitting the target. I know, I know, those guns were meat to be a workhorse for soldiers - not for paper punching.

What about the disease called "oversized chamber throats" often found on S&W M 25 models. Are the M1917/M1937 suffer the same way?

What about the availability of the half moon clips? Are they still available?
Click to expand...

The original 45 ACP cylinder for my Brazilian does indeed have oversized throats .0455. Shoots jacket bullets fine. I seldom shoot lead from the ACP cylinder, but do from its Colt cylinder. These were real war guns meant for last ditch defense and never meant to be target shooters.
 
You are correct, Jim. According to Pate the M1917 had concave grip medallion areas until approx. March 1918 and sn 30,000.

Bob
 
Still don't have photos of mine. Forgot to get before pictures. 37 Brazillian.was reblued with some bigger pits not removed, bobbed hammer, 3.250" barrel, will roundbutt and Ceracote with big dot front or shotgun front sight. Anyone use the shotgun tritium big dot sight on one of these workhorses? Looks to be an easy mount for a Mossberg style tritium dot.
 
yjezezyd.jpg


Here's one I got off Gunbroker- serial # 595xx on frame, barrel and cylinder. It's been parkerized, has the ordinance bomb stamp on left side above the cylinder, "AA" on the left side in front of the trigger, and the eagle stamp with "S7" on the left side frame behind the trigger. I think it was shipped out in May 1918.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
cm289 said:
yjezezyd.jpg


Here's one I got off Gunbroker- serial # 595xx on frame, barrel and cylinder. It's been parkerized, has the ordinance bomb stamp on left side above the cylinder, "AA" on the left side in front of the trigger, and the eagle stamp with "S7" on the left side frame behind the trigger. I think it was shipped out in May 1918.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

You might probably know that the "AA" stamp stands for Anniston Arsenal (now Anniston Army Depot) in Alabama, the Army Ordnance rework facility. I have seen numerous U.S. firearms with that stamp - including a rare A.J. Savage slide M1911 pistol. Parkerizing was the norm during the arsenal overhaul. I once had a Model of 1917 Colt that was refurbished and Parkerized similarly at Anniston for use in WWII. This depot is still in operation with a greatly expanded mission including repair of large vehicles and tanks, and munitions storage.

John
 
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I figured it was refurbed for WWII but wasn't sure what the AA stood for- thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I'm not an expert on the subject but believe the "AA" mark stands for Augusta Arsenal, different state. :cool:
 
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