M1917 Questions/Opinions

[the_Riot]

Hello all,

First timer here. Was looking for some wisdom on a M1917 I just recently was lucky enough to pick up. It appears to have all the correct markings of a military issue 1917, however the lanyard swivel is missing and the grips are not consistent with military issue. If I looked up the serial number correctly. It appears to have been manufactured in 1918.

My thinking is someone removed the lanyard swivel (I imagine this is relatively common among pistols that made it into civilian hands?) and put the more decorative grips on. But was wondering yalls thoughts on...

A) are these grips indeed original to the gun? (perhaps was never issued to military)

B) would it be worth it to purchase and install a lanyard swivel and original style grips or leave it as is as that is how it has lived most of its life? (I realize this is an opinion question but just curious to know the thoughts of people more knowledgeable on these things than I am)

C) Any other insight anyone may have on the pistol?

Would greatly appreciate any help!

Thanks.

-the_Riot

 

[Rocketmedic40]

Your initial guess is the most likely, remember the original grips were more than a century old and likely got lost/damaged or just upgraded because they were smooth and silly.

 

[Borderboss]

Great looking gun. If the finish is original (hard to tell, and I'm not an expert), it might then be worth it to restore the lanyard ring and original grips. But what's your intent for the gun? If it's a shooter, then it's great as is.

 

[H Richard]

The lanyard ring is your personal preference. If you are planning to shoot it it might get in your way. If you are just putting it away in a collection you might want to put on on to make more original. Getting a decent pair of original stocks may be difficult. But you never know what might come up on E bay. If you are planning to shoot it, the current stocks are much better than the originals.

 

[the_Riot]

I am certianly not qualified to determine whether the finish is original either. But I do believe it is original based on the looks of it. It does have some wear around the flutes on the cylinder and some scratches here and there throughout, though mostly is in good condition.

I certainly intend for it to be a shooter. I've already got some moon clips on the way.

-the_Riot

 

[Borderboss]

I am certianly not qualified to determine whether the finish is original either. But I do believe it is original based on the looks of it. It does have some wear around the flutes on the cylinder and some scratches here and there throughout, though mostly is in good condition.

I certainly intend for it to be a shooter. I've already got some moon clips on the way.

-the_Riot

I wouldn't put money into a ring and grips then.

 

[mojave30cal]

I personally like lanyard rings on military revolvers. I'd look for one on Ebay if that gun was mine. Those grips are early
post war sharp shoulder magnas and are worth something. Sell those and use funds to find replacement 1917 grips if
you want. Nice revolver.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! It appears the finish is satin nickel? If so, it is not original. Personally, I would not change anything on that one as it is in great shooter configuration with those sharp-shouldered magna grips as opposed to the military ones. The only thing better would be some target or combat grips.

 

[DWalt]

As a shooter I would leave it as-is. I don't know the current availability, but I'd think that at least replica but period-correct grips and lanyard loops could be fairly easily found on eBay, etc.

BTW there are excellent quality military replica leather flap holsters available at reasonable prices.

 

[the_Riot]

No sir it is blued. I realize the lighting in the pictures may not be the best. Added couple of more pictures below that may show it a bit better.

Thanks for the info on the grips. Didn't realize what they were. Interesting to hear that while not original, there is something special about them. I think I'll leave them as is, though if I'm ever lucky enough to find some original grips I may snag them just to have along with it.

Appreciate the input gents!





-the_Riot

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Ok. Someone did a good job with the refinish based on the sideplate seam. Look on the front of the ejector rod knob. If it is in the white, the finish is original. If it is blued, it was refinished.

 

[the_Riot]

I think I'm following. You mean if the bluing on the front of the knob is not worn, that would indicate that it had been refinished? I'll have to take a look when I get home from work today.

A little background, I picked this up from a gentleman at an estate sale. It was his father's who had just passed. From what it sounds like it hadn't seen much use in many years, if at all while his father owned it which had been for many years. So if refinished, I think it would have been a long time ago, but certainly possible.

-the_Riot

 

[Wiregrassguy]

You mean if the bluing on the front of the knob is not worn, that would indicate that it had been refinished?

No. The face of the knob should be bright and shiny, not blued at all. But the knob itself will be blue. I'll try to find a picture. I have one somewhere.

 

[the_Riot]

Ah I'm picking up what you are throwing down. Good to know. I'll take a look this evening.

 

[2152hq]

I'd guess it was re-blued.
Some smallpitting under the blue on the bbl ring of the frame on the left side.
A tiny bit of the same interspaced among the bbl lettering, Probably trying to stay away from the lettering as best they could when polishing.
The sideplate fit shows polishing off of the frame, the rolled over edges of both plate edge and frame seam.

Decent gun though. Set it up to your liking.
Orig style grips , swivel or not, or use the grips that are on it.

The grips that are on it will be more comfortable when shooting than the Service style.
That said I always seem to opt for the Service style grips on the older N frames as well.

 

[the_Riot]

No. The face of the knob should be bright and shiny, not blued at all. But the knob itself will be blue. I'll try to find a picture. I have one somewhere.

This is how she looks...thoughts?

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Your revolver was reblued sometime in its past. I agree that the stocks it is wearing are better for shooting than the service stocks that came with it originally.

 

[the_Riot]

Thanks for the response!

One more question if yall dont mind. Anyone able to tell me what this symbol means?

 

[Muley Gil]

That is a flaming grenade ordnance stamp, meaning it was accepted by the military.

 

[the_Riot]

That is a flaming grenade ordnance stamp, meaning it was accepted by the military.

Very cool. Thanks again!

 

[Amber Azar]

Hello all,

First timer here. Was looking for some wisdom on a M1917 I just recently was lucky enough to pick up. It appears to have all the correct markings of a military issue 1917, however the lanyard swivel is missing and the grips are not consistent with military issue. If I looked up the serial number correctly. It appears to have been manufactured in 1918.

My thinking is someone removed the lanyard swivel (I imagine this is relatively common among pistols that made it into civilian hands?) and put the more decorative grips on. But was wondering yalls thoughts on...

A) are these grips indeed original to the gun? (perhaps was never issued to military)

B) would it be worth it to purchase and install a lanyard swivel and original style grips or leave it as is as that is how it has lived most of its life? (I realize this is an opinion question but just curious to know the thoughts of people more knowledgeable on these things than I am)

C) Any other insight anyone may have on the pistol?

Would greatly appreciate any help!

Thanks.View attachment 771888View attachment 771902View attachment 771903

-the_Riot

It's not easy to tell if there's been any refinish but this pics of the gun make it look to be good (small phone screen). How's the bore and cylinder chambers? If they're clean with most of the rifling present, and no pitting, I personally wouldn't mind leaving it alone. But if you could find an original ring assembly and set of grips in fine condition or better at a reasonable cost, definitely go for it. I'm thinking that those items might not be tasty easy to find. There's a few companies that produce replica grips that are dead ringers for the originals, I don't know if the same can be said for the ring assembly.
It's a wonderful piece. And they're much better than the Colt Model 1917: just my opinion.

 

[SPGUSN]

Hello all,

First timer here. Was looking for some wisdom on a M1917 I just recently was lucky enough to pick up. It appears to have all the correct markings of a military issue 1917, however the lanyard swivel is missing and the grips are not consistent with military issue. If I looked up the serial number correctly. It appears to have been manufactured in 1918.

My thinking is someone removed the lanyard swivel (I imagine this is relatively common among pistols that made it into civilian hands?) and put the more decorative grips on. But was wondering yalls thoughts on...

A) are these grips indeed original to the gun? (perhaps was never issued to military)

B) would it be worth it to purchase and install a lanyard swivel and original style grips or leave it as is as that is how it has lived most of its life? (I realize this is an opinion question but just curious to know the thoughts of people more knowledgeable on these things than I am)

C) Any other insight anyone may have on the pistol?

Would greatly appreciate any help!

Thanks.View attachment 771888View attachment 771902View attachment 771903

-the_Riot

If you're looking for period repo walnut stocks for that, recommend NC Ordnance... check their website, they have them

 

[SPGUSN]

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.

 

[Trooper224]

You have a military issue 1917 that's been reblued and regripped. Replace the lanyard loop at your own discretion, it won't effect collectability because it has none. It's just a nice looking shooter. I wouldn't turn it down.

 

[Airdale26]

It is a very nice looking revolver. The Ordinance Mark indicates acceptance by the Military. Finish appears from photo's to be in good condition, Perhaps never seen action or use or has been recoated. Grip are not original and could have been replaced by previous owner, damage etc. Lanyard ring missing, There are a few places to obtain ring (original and period grips if desired.
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.
Please describe this photo. is the object in focus the extractor rod ?

 

[crasig]

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.

 

[the_Riot]

Yes sir. Front of the ejector rod. A gentleman earlier in the thread mentioned...

"Look on the front of the ejector. If it is in the white, the finish is original. If it is blued, it was refinished."

So took a picture to see his thoughts. It appears to be not blued as he mentions, though I understand that may not necessarily be entirely conclusive that it wasnt refinished. Especially if done by someone who knew what they were doing. The others that pointed out the pitting under the bluing makes sense for it to have been reblued at some point in the past.

Either way it doesn't make much difference to me. Just trying to learn a bit about these things and about the revolver.

It is a very nice looking revolver. The Ordinance Mark indicates acceptance by the Military. Finish appears from photo's to be in good condition, Perhaps never seen action or use or has been recoated. Grip are not original and could have been replaced by previous owner, damage etc. Lanyard ring missing, There are a few places to obtain ring (original and period grips if desired.
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.
View attachment 772261Please describe this photo. is the object in focus the extractor rod ?

 

[JH1951]

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.

Here is a picture of a factory finish of the sideplate area (also note the case hardened color on the hammer and trigger):

and a picture of the left side:


and a full view....

 

[the_Riot]

If you're looking for period repo walnut stocks for that, recommend NC Ordnance... check their website, they have them

Thanks for the tip! Looks like they are out of stock right now but will definitely keep an eye out.

-Bryan

 

[shil]

It's a fine-looking revolver. I'm confident you will enjoy it. On mine, the lanyard ring was removed at some point and the hole plugged. I was, at one time, inclined to have it monkeyed with and restore the lanyard ring but relented. The stocks on yours look good and I think would be better for range sessions. The absence of a lanyard ring makes possible the installation of rubber grips if you are so inclined. I've used Pachmayr Presentations with mine. They make the the gun more comfortable for me to shoot for an extended period. My only complaint is the itty-bitty sights. The 74-year-old eyes don't care for them much but the revolver is great fun to shoot nonetheless.