M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
I have a LGS that often has some vintage handguns. I don't think they would deliberately mis-communicate anything, but not sure how well versed they are on M1917s. Some years ago, I had a M1917, military, and it was a great deal; I bought it from a German gun store (I was stationed there). However, I became nervous about trying to bring it back as it gets very complicated about "war surplus" firearms and people often end up having to take a huge loss, so I made a great trade on a 547 (which I was able to bring back). I have a 4" barreled Model 22 that I really like, but have always wanted a vintage M1917.
So, my LGS has what they are calling a M1917 commercial. I'm not sure that's what they have, markings are confusing me, and I'm worried someone has polished out markings that would cause it to be considered something else. When I had my M1917, I knew a lot about markings, but like everything else, have forgotten most of it. This M1917 has new grips, looks like those Altamonts they put on the new versions of the M1917s. It has the markings on the butt, and an empty socket for the lanyard ring. Didn't the commercial model omit the ring, but keep the markings? There is no Brazilian badge on the sideplate, but the serial # is 210XXX. Shouldn't that make it a Brazilian, or could it be a straight up commercial? Finally, the blue is really interesting. It's a deep dark blue, nearly black. It must have been refinished because it looks really good. Corners are crisp and it has sharp edges, look amazingly clean, but it's clearly been refinished; maybe a factory reblue? It has no inspectors marks, so I'm pretty sure it's not military. If they were able to buff out the Brazilian and/or the inspectors mark, I'll say they did a good job, because it sure doesn't look like it. Can anyone give me some identifying features to be sure of what I'm looking at? I'm leaning towards buying it, and am really looking for a shooter ant not so much a collector, but I just want to make this thing hasn't been prettied up and trying to hide some serious issues. Compared to my old M1917, it is way better looking, locks up tight and appears to have little or no end shake (unlike my old M1917). I should mention about the blue; it's very different looking than what my old M1917 and others I have seen. It's not that sort of "slow rust blue" look like the originals had, it's slightly matt in texture, which makes me think someone was trying to make it look original, yet new at the same time. Lettering is pretty good throughout, almost as good as original, so it was a pretty good polishing job. I've polished and re-blued guns in hot tanks, so I can tell if it's bad, or at least, really bad.
Curious to hear opinions from those with a lot of M1917 experience. I want it, but don't want to take a dive just yet.
So, my LGS has what they are calling a M1917 commercial. I'm not sure that's what they have, markings are confusing me, and I'm worried someone has polished out markings that would cause it to be considered something else. When I had my M1917, I knew a lot about markings, but like everything else, have forgotten most of it. This M1917 has new grips, looks like those Altamonts they put on the new versions of the M1917s. It has the markings on the butt, and an empty socket for the lanyard ring. Didn't the commercial model omit the ring, but keep the markings? There is no Brazilian badge on the sideplate, but the serial # is 210XXX. Shouldn't that make it a Brazilian, or could it be a straight up commercial? Finally, the blue is really interesting. It's a deep dark blue, nearly black. It must have been refinished because it looks really good. Corners are crisp and it has sharp edges, look amazingly clean, but it's clearly been refinished; maybe a factory reblue? It has no inspectors marks, so I'm pretty sure it's not military. If they were able to buff out the Brazilian and/or the inspectors mark, I'll say they did a good job, because it sure doesn't look like it. Can anyone give me some identifying features to be sure of what I'm looking at? I'm leaning towards buying it, and am really looking for a shooter ant not so much a collector, but I just want to make this thing hasn't been prettied up and trying to hide some serious issues. Compared to my old M1917, it is way better looking, locks up tight and appears to have little or no end shake (unlike my old M1917). I should mention about the blue; it's very different looking than what my old M1917 and others I have seen. It's not that sort of "slow rust blue" look like the originals had, it's slightly matt in texture, which makes me think someone was trying to make it look original, yet new at the same time. Lettering is pretty good throughout, almost as good as original, so it was a pretty good polishing job. I've polished and re-blued guns in hot tanks, so I can tell if it's bad, or at least, really bad.
Curious to hear opinions from those with a lot of M1917 experience. I want it, but don't want to take a dive just yet.
