M1917 Questions/Opinions

[the_Riot]

Hi, Riot, and welcome to the Forum, and congratulations on picking up a nice looking 1917 and a great piece of history!
A S&W 1917 is a pleasure to own and a joy to shoot. I am confident you will enjoy owning and using it at the range.
You asked for opinions. Everyone has them and not all are the same, but here are mine. The pictures provided are not the best, and I could be 'reading' them wrong, but here's what I see based on looking at them.....
As for the finish. I see signs of a re-blue. There are a few flaws under the finish that would not be there on an original finish, and the sideplate seams show evidence of post-factory polishing. It is hard to tell if the hammer and trigger are blue or color case hardened. If they are blue, that is an indication of a refinish. Factory finish was case hardened.
As for stocks (grips), my taste would be to put something more original on it (although the ones on it are a bit more functional IMHO). Reproduction stocks would do well on this piece.
As for the lanyard loop I would put one in to fill the hole. Again, just my taste because I like the military look on a military piece.
Honestly, it all depends on your tastes and preferences; it is yours to use and enjoy, so what you are most pleased with rules.
If you give us some more good pictures, I'm sure we can give opinions from a better informed perspective.

Thanks for your response! The hammer and trigger are definitely blued. So definitely refinished. That helped give clarity.

Appreciate the help and thoughts on it all.

 

[Heinz]

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on having a good looking revolver that you need not be afraid to shoot. The model 17 was in use in both the first and second world wars. The 45 auto cartridge is no slouch and is fun to shoot and readily available. Enjoy it.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Welcome and thanks for sharing. I purchased one many years ago
and I still have it.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[Tommezgun]

It does seem to have the look of being refinished as someone said the rolled edge on the side plate. It looks like it will be a good shooter. If you want to put original or original style stocks on it there is a company out of North Carolina that sells them, at least in the past. I don't know where you can get the lanyard loop EBay maybe. I have one that I inherited just 7 days before my 13th birthday, and it had similar diamond Magnas on it. I later changed them to the original style then to barkless elk stag stocks. I do have the lanyard loop but my father had taken it off but kept it so when I inherited it, I put it back on. Mine dates to 1919. It is a great shooter and one of the smoothest of my S&W revolvers. The first pic is with the Magnas and a S&W grip spacer the second pic is how it is today.

 

[Tommezgun]

Pity .45 Auto-Rim isn't popular...

I like the Auto Rim. I reload and have about 150 pieces of brass for it.

 

[shep854]

I like the Auto Rim. I reload and have about 150 pieces of brass for it.

That's great! A lot of people have never heard of Auto-Rim.

 

[StrawHat]

Also, if you pull the stocks, you will probably see a 3 or 4 digit number, identifying the month and year, if reblued; these and other stampings are mentioned in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

Only if done at the factory. Joe’s Reblue Shop would not stamp it with a date.


Kevin

 

[raljr1]

I have gone the AutoRim route for my 1917s. After slicing my finger on moon clip. I did buy a moon clip tool, but I think I;ll stick to the 45AR cartridges. If I were the OP I would consider that route

 

[StrawHat]

…
To potential confirm if it was issued, Contact manufacturer and obtain letter from them on how it was delivered. Most likely a fee to S &W.….

The S&W factory has no records and only a vague idea of what this revolver is or how it would have shipped. For that information, you need to contact the S&W Historical Foundation.

Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

swhistoricalfoundation.com

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

I happen to like the S&W ACP revolver. You have a nice shooter grade 45 Hand Ejector, Model 1917. For a long time, it was the most produced revolver in the S&W lineup.

Finding a stud and ring is neither difficult nor expensive. Installing them is also easy. The grips, equally easy to find and install.

I like the Service stocks or the Magna stocks (available after 1935) on my revolvers but my preferred grip includes the addition of an aftermarket grip adapter.

Here are four ACP revolvers with three different grip adapters.



If you want a grip adapter, look in the secondary market for them or buy from fellow forum member, wrangler5,

BK Grips | 2-Clip Grip Adapters for Revolvers

Moon clips were invented for the sole purpose of allowing the extractor to remove the cartridges from the cylinder. A great invention that S&W wisely allowed Colt to use in their large framed revolver.

I prefer clips from Ranch Products but other are available and have their own following. Ranch Products is the company S&W choose to produce the full moon clips for them.

HOME | Ranch Products

And, there is no reason to stay with wood for your stocks.



Kevin

 

[VaTom]

No harm in having a reblued revolver if you paid a fair price and it functions properly. I purchased my Commercial 1917 at a local auction about 10 years ago. The auction description clearly stated it had been refinished. Didn’t intend to buy it but when the bids were low I jumped in and snagged it for a bid of $350. Grips are numbered to it. Great shooter. To further document your 1917 check to see that all 5 serial numbers match.
-under barrel on the flat
-cylinder back
-on crane (need to look through the cylinder to see)
-backside of ejector star
-butt
Enjoy. I enjoy shooting mine.

 

[shep854]

Those little grip adapters make a huge difference in shooting comfort!

 

[45NUTT]

FWIW, a lanyard ring isn't hard to find and not too inexpensive.
I bought one a couple of years ago on fleabay for around $15 IIRC.
Though I see they are about double that now.

Everything is about doubled in the last 4 years or so!!

 

[Hondo44]

Great shooter you found!
I always replace missing lanyard rings. I wouldn’t buy a nice old car but not replace a missing hood ornament!

Yes I shoot my 1917 and prefer target grips sometimes. I don’t remove the ring each time I use them. It’s quite simple to relieve a space in the butt of the grips to accommodate the lanyard ring.

 

[NHNS]

Hi Riot,
Your 1917 is pristine compared to mine. Mine is about the same vintage as yours and if you just want a nice revolver that shoots great, you have it.
My 1917 is nickel plated, shortened to 4", home grown front site, and target grips. It's the grandaddy to my M25. Both are great shooters and my favorite revolvers. I don't worry about the value of my guns. I just want to shoot them. I already have my reservation, and will be at the range with the 1917 celebrating on Independence Day. Congratulations on your aquisition.

 

[handejector]

The S&W factory has no records and only a vague idea of what this revolver is or how it would have shipped. For that information, you need to contact the S&W Historical Foundation.

Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

swhistoricalfoundation.com

Kevin

I would NOT recommend getting a letter for a US 1917. They almost all shipped to Springfield Armory. If any shipped somewhere else, I have never seen a letter that said that. Is it worth $100 to find out what day it went to Springfield Armory?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Is it worth $100 to find out what day it went to Springfield Armory?

Also, the month and year of manufacture is available to lookup online.

 

[handejector]

Also, the month and year of manufacture is available to lookup online.

I have seen that. They are not totally accurate.

 

[wileyjackhammer]

I personally like lanyard rings & lanyards to use in the field. Not a big deal to install the lanyard loop. I think it adds to the value & authenticity of any military handgun.
I own the 1937 Brazilian contract version of the 1917. Mine was delivered to Brazil after WWII in 1946, the year & month of my birth.
I found a like new pair of Magna grips from the post war era. IT is easier & more comfortable to operate with them, than the originals which I've put away.
I found a holster similar to those used by Brazilian army, I like the full flap & protection it offers - It was made by Triple-K for N FRAMES. I found it on Ebay. Although 78 years old, mine seems to have only storage wear, & is mechanically like new, & very dear to me + a joy to shoot.

That is a very nice Brazilian contract 1937....mine is not nearly as nice....

 

[the_Riot]

As requested, mentioning my first time taking her out for a spin. Shot wonderfully. The action is one of the smoothest I've ever felt. Was a blast to shoot. Some pictures below (my boys like to color on my targets). The target shows first 12 shots, 6 each DA and SA.

After reading some of the posts about serial numbers, took a closer look and found something I'm curious about.

All of the numbers match under the barrel, on the butt of the frame under the grips, on the cylinder, and on the ejector star (that one was hard to see). But on the crane and on the frame just above, there are different numbers but match each other.

Can someone help me with what these different numbers are? Also curious what the stamp is under the barrel on the flat next to the frame?

Frame and crane matching numbers but different than the rest of the serial numbers:


Under barrel stamp:


Couple of range shots: