Model 1917 38 special 6.5"

[fjeff804]

I've a model 1917, 1918 serial number, 38 special with 6.5" barrel. Only British proofs. Any help would be great.

 

[Retired W4]

The S&W M1917 would be chambered in 45 ACP or 455. Pictures please.

 

[Muley Gil]

I've a model 1917, 1918 serial number, 38 special with 6.5" barrel. Only British proofs. Any help would be great.

Welcome to the Forum.

If your description is accurate, you probably have a 2nd Model .455 that has been converted to .38 special.

Please post detailed, close-up pictures, as many as you can.

 

[H Richard]

I had one, bought in the Denver area several years ago. The chambers and the barrel were sleeved to .38. It was in a Cabela's fine gun room, with no caliber listed. I had them come up with a .38 dummy round, and it fit perfectly. When I first saw it I had to take a double take, something looked wrong for a 1917, and it was the front sight, had been reduced in height to accommodate the .38.
s/n was 170927, it was a Brazilian mod.

 

[Muley Gil]

I had one, bought in the Denver area several years ago. The chambers and the barrel were sleeved to .38. It was in a Cabela's fine gun room, with no caliber listed. I had them come up with a .38 dummy round, and it fit perfectly. When I first saw it I had to take a double take, something looked wrong for a 1917, and it was the front sight, had been reduced in height to accommodate the .38.
s/n was 170927, it was a Brazilian mod.

With those stampings, it looks like a 2nd Model .455, not a Brazilian 1917.

 

[H Richard]

That is correct Muley. Lots of British stamping.

 

[murphydog]

The British marks may be a combination of military unit markings and proof stampings after being surplused out and sold in the commercial market.

If the barrel and cylinder have these marks it is a caliber conversion, but if not someone may have swapped in .38/44 Heavy Duty parts. The barrel from this would be 5 or 6.5".