I'm not an expert on the subject but believe the "AA" mark stands for Augusta Arsenal, different state.
That was my understanding as well.
Let's see your U.S. Model 1917 S&Ws!
- Thread starter PALADIN85020
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That was my understanding as well.
Newworldman
Member
I picked this up at a gun show recently. Very unique. Anyone ever seen anything like it? All original, except for the alterations.
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shep854
Member
I've seen it posted that the 'OD' color was due to parkerizing absorbing the cosmoline packing grease.
OP
Original M1917 S&W revolvers were blued. Many received refurbishment at U.S. arsenals during and after the WWII period and were Parkerized in the process. This matte finish varies in color from grey to nearly black to olive drab. There should be an arsenal mark on the left of the frame for those that received this treatment officially.
John
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I also have a s/w. And colt looking for aprox value I know condition is a lot mine are very good to exillent cond
trashy
Member
I would really like to have a nice 1917, not at the top of my want list, but in the top 5. Reviewing this thread seems to move it up a notch or two, very nice examples posted.
I passed on one the other day a gentleman had listed for $700. Numbers matched, proper stamps & markings, probably 70 - 75%, honest wear, still chambered for 45 acp, BUT, Pachmeyer Presentations ( could possibly live with that) and the kicker was he had years ago installed a red ramp front site (couldn't live with that). I asked what his lowest OTD price was and he said he would not take less than $675. Haggled for a minute to no avail. I feel certain I did the right thing, what say you?
So the search continues.
I passed on one the other day a gentleman had listed for $700. Numbers matched, proper stamps & markings, probably 70 - 75%, honest wear, still chambered for 45 acp, BUT, Pachmeyer Presentations ( could possibly live with that) and the kicker was he had years ago installed a red ramp front site (couldn't live with that). I asked what his lowest OTD price was and he said he would not take less than $675. Haggled for a minute to no avail. I feel certain I did the right thing, what say you?
So the search continues.
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OP
The real value in a 1917 lies in its originality and its condition. If it lacks one or the other to any significant degree, I'd pass.
John
I attached the pic of my 1917. It is a "parts" gun from what I can find. The barrel was replaced by a "non" S&W gunsmith, no serial number on it, but does have the "United States Property" stamp. The finish on the barrel does not match the frame. The cylinder is not original, neither are the grips. The crane is original. Action is near perfect and overall the gun is in great shape for it's age. Manufactured December 1917, S/N 5740. The hammer has the original "curved groove" effect and the lanyard ring is not missing.
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Found this on the local Armslist at a pawn shop in Colorado Springs, a quick 60 mile drive from Denver. One of the 998 commercials built after the war and someone did a very interesting rear sight windage adjustment addition. Serial 210151
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Welcome to the Forum.
We need some more info please. Do the revolvers have their original finishs? Condition of the bores, grips. etc?
Pictures would be a great help.
I presume the SN on the cylinder doesn't match the butt number.
The replacement barrel was probably installed by a military armorer. Or it could have been a military surplus barrel.
bwdilli
Member
Picked this one up a few weeks ago. Was interested in it for the pre WWII Magna stocks that were on it, needed them for a .38/44 OD that I have.
I believe it's a S&W 1917 Commercial chambered in .45ACP. I say believe because it's in no way original. The barrel has been cut down to 3.5". The serial number on the cylinder, extractor, and barrel are removed. The serial on on the crane is not matching. The serial on the frame is 624XX, which is way earlier than the Commercials were supposedly being built. It was missing the lanyard ring but I was able to locate one and make a retaining pin to hold it in place. This is an example of a gun that is so wrong, that it just works.
I had to completely disassemble the gun, clean it, and reassemble properly to get it to work. It could not be cocked into single action and the double action trigger was approximately 2768 pounds. Now, the trigger is a dream in both single action and double.
Only issue left to deal with is the front sight is soldered on leaning slightly to the left. This causes the gun to shoot slightly high and to the right.
So I'm wondering if it's actually a 1917 Commercial frame or if it's a 2nd Model Hand Ejector, or maybe something else completely different. Anyone got an idea on what the frame actually is? It doesn't have the "Made in USA" mark on it, which leads me to think pre 1921.
I believe it's a S&W 1917 Commercial chambered in .45ACP. I say believe because it's in no way original. The barrel has been cut down to 3.5". The serial number on the cylinder, extractor, and barrel are removed. The serial on on the crane is not matching. The serial on the frame is 624XX, which is way earlier than the Commercials were supposedly being built. It was missing the lanyard ring but I was able to locate one and make a retaining pin to hold it in place. This is an example of a gun that is so wrong, that it just works.
I had to completely disassemble the gun, clean it, and reassemble properly to get it to work. It could not be cocked into single action and the double action trigger was approximately 2768 pounds. Now, the trigger is a dream in both single action and double.
Only issue left to deal with is the front sight is soldered on leaning slightly to the left. This causes the gun to shoot slightly high and to the right.
So I'm wondering if it's actually a 1917 Commercial frame or if it's a 2nd Model Hand Ejector, or maybe something else completely different. Anyone got an idea on what the frame actually is? It doesn't have the "Made in USA" mark on it, which leads me to think pre 1921.
A couple of thoughts.
The Magna stocks are post WW II; the checkering has rounded corners instead of the pre war sharp corners and the medallion are the smaller post war curved nickel plated instead of the pre war 1/2" flat silver.
On pre war and early post war hand ejectors, the yoke does not have the serial # on it, only the factory assembly number.
The only other frame prior to the "Made In USA" stamped frames (which was ordered June 1922) that could have a 624XX serial number is a 455 HE, 2nd Model. The 1917 Army did not have a S&W logo on the frame. I think I see one on the left side of your frame, if not it's a 1917. Although the 455s did have the logo, it's larger and on the sideplate.
The Magna stocks are post WW II; the checkering has rounded corners instead of the pre war sharp corners and the medallion are the smaller post war curved nickel plated instead of the pre war 1/2" flat silver.
On pre war and early post war hand ejectors, the yoke does not have the serial # on it, only the factory assembly number.
The only other frame prior to the "Made In USA" stamped frames (which was ordered June 1922) that could have a 624XX serial number is a 455 HE, 2nd Model. The 1917 Army did not have a S&W logo on the frame. I think I see one on the left side of your frame, if not it's a 1917. Although the 455s did have the logo, it's larger and on the sideplate.
Right. The serial # is not the same.
bwdilli
Member
Yes, I indicated that this gun was bought for the stocks and used on my .38/44 OD. These are the stocks that I swapped them for. You can see what was on them below.
This is the conundrum with the frame. It's to early for a commercial 1917 and the S&W doesn't match for a second model. Can't figure out any option that makes sense.
bwdilli,
Since the back of the cylinder has no serial and appears to me to have been shaved, the logical assumption was that it started out as a .455 and converted to .45 Colt or .45 Auto Rim. I'm not clear about which of the fitter's numbers are the same on your gun but if all the major parts started out together, the same number should be on the crane, the frame and inside the side plate. The same serial number (different from the fitter's number) should be on the rear facing face of the crane and the front face of the ejector star. Those are both difficult to see but by disassembly or use of a bright light and magnifier, they should be seen by looking through the chambers. My most likely scenario is that it started out as a .455 Second that had its cylinder converted to .45 and a modified .45 barrel installed. But I am stumped by the small logo on the left. If there is a tiny eagle head and S# anywhere on the frame, it would indicate that it was a left over govt. inspected frame.
Nothing but guesses without a close inspection in hand.
In any event, when the front sight is corrected, I think that it is a very attractive and useful carry gun.
Bob
Since the back of the cylinder has no serial and appears to me to have been shaved, the logical assumption was that it started out as a .455 and converted to .45 Colt or .45 Auto Rim. I'm not clear about which of the fitter's numbers are the same on your gun but if all the major parts started out together, the same number should be on the crane, the frame and inside the side plate. The same serial number (different from the fitter's number) should be on the rear facing face of the crane and the front face of the ejector star. Those are both difficult to see but by disassembly or use of a bright light and magnifier, they should be seen by looking through the chambers. My most likely scenario is that it started out as a .455 Second that had its cylinder converted to .45 and a modified .45 barrel installed. But I am stumped by the small logo on the left. If there is a tiny eagle head and S# anywhere on the frame, it would indicate that it was a left over govt. inspected frame.
Nothing but guesses without a close inspection in hand.
In any event, when the front sight is corrected, I think that it is a very attractive and useful carry gun.
Bob
DevilDog72
US Veteran
w o w
I wantsssss it. Wow what dreams (mine) are made of
This brazilian has been posted on a different thread or two in the past by it's previous owner but I recently purchased it and thought I'd show it off with it's new faux ivory grips. It shoots good, has a great trigger, and is really in decent overall shape.
I wantsssss it. Wow what dreams (mine) are made of
cadmike
Member
I really like the serial number 13 gun posted by gjamison.
Doesn't the number 13 signify bad luck?
I also own a 1917 with a dubious serial number...
Mike
Doesn't the number 13 signify bad luck?
I also own a 1917 with a dubious serial number...
Mike
jtcarm
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I've probably posted in this thread before, but not going through five years of replies to see,
Grandpas gun:
Although he went to France in WWI, it was almost surely acquired during his long tenure as a postmaster in Iraan, TX, probably when they were being sold through the post office for the princely sum of $16 apiece.
Grandpas gun:
Although he went to France in WWI, it was almost surely acquired during his long tenure as a postmaster in Iraan, TX, probably when they were being sold through the post office for the princely sum of $16 apiece.
Derry 1946
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Muddyboot, have you fired that beautiful snubby? I'd be interested to know how it handles. 
Muddyboot, have you fired that beautiful snubby? I'd be interested to know how it handles.
Yes, I've put around 300 rounds through it...It shoots very well, I have not fired it for distance. My local indoor range is only 50 feet....It does not like HP ammo, not sure why. A very fun revolver to shoot, to bad they never came this way from the factory.
Derry 1946
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Thanks. An amazing artifact. I've never seen one like it, and it's so expertly crafted it looks factory-original. Enjoy!
helilogger
Member
1917
Had a nice range session today with my February 1918 production M1917. Shot great and functioned flawlessly. What a joy!
SN 197xx US Army marked, GHS, "UNITED STATES PROPERTY", all numbers match. 85-90% bluing. Appears all original.
Had a nice range session today with my February 1918 production M1917. Shot great and functioned flawlessly. What a joy!
SN 197xx US Army marked, GHS, "UNITED STATES PROPERTY", all numbers match. 85-90% bluing. Appears all original.
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I am late to this thread. My 1917 serial 7973 with grooved hammer and concave top grips.
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Not all. My M1917 .45 ACP, converted to target with a pre war post 1934 2 screw S&W Reg Mag rear site with serrated hump, milled in by Micro Site.
Redfield front site blade milled in. Micro Site double cockeyed hammer. Serrated factory target trigger.
S&W stocks are early 1950s smooth 'cokes'. Every bit as "factory" as a factory rework can be. Even to the point of not flattening the rebound slide pin protruding on the left side of the frame when re-blued!
S&W early 1950s factory smooth 'cokes':
Custom 'Micro-Site' copy of the King Gunworks double cockeyed target hammer.
digi-shots
Member
I think this might have been posted already... but "photo-bucket" ate it up!
Gunnut.38
Member
Model 1917 with 1950 barrel
Here is a picture of mine. Bought it from a local pawn shop a couple of years ago. My best guess is it was re-barreled with a model 1950 barrel and re-blued at sometime in it's life. The serial number is 1245XX and all the serial numbers match except the barrel that has no numbers. The barrel is marked on the left side SMITH & WESSON. On the right side it is stamped .45 MODEL 1950 . The barrel has been cut away to accommodate the mushroom head on the extractor rod. It has flaming bomb, ST2, and ST21 proof marks on the frame. All of the stampings are crisp and not buffed out. There are not any factory rework stamps on the grip frame , so who ever did this, did a professional job. It wears a modified set of K frame grips. Minimal wear and it is a great shooter.
Here is a picture of mine. Bought it from a local pawn shop a couple of years ago. My best guess is it was re-barreled with a model 1950 barrel and re-blued at sometime in it's life. The serial number is 1245XX and all the serial numbers match except the barrel that has no numbers. The barrel is marked on the left side SMITH & WESSON. On the right side it is stamped .45 MODEL 1950 . The barrel has been cut away to accommodate the mushroom head on the extractor rod. It has flaming bomb, ST2, and ST21 proof marks on the frame. All of the stampings are crisp and not buffed out. There are not any factory rework stamps on the grip frame , so who ever did this, did a professional job. It wears a modified set of K frame grips. Minimal wear and it is a great shooter.
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