Lately I seem to be riding a fairly nice winning streak of purchasing very nice Model 1917 Army DA 45's at very reasonable prices off of GB. In both cases at hand the descriptions and auction pictures left much to be desired, but I studied the pictures as best I could and took a chance on both guns. It paid off!
Last December a couple of weeks before Christmas I won a very early Model 1917 Army from a GB auction for $1214 shipped including M1917 holster and M1917 Web Belt (Serial# 1514 that rates near 97% and lettered as being in the very first shipment of Model 1917 revolvers to the Springfield Armory). You can read more about that revolver in the thread at Meet Model 1917 Army DA 45 ACP Serial# 1514 if you are interested.
This month I won another auction for a Model 1917 Army from a GB auction - this time a Buy Now for $920 shipped! (Sold Auction link is at Smith & Wesson 1917 U.S. Army .45 Caliber Revolver - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 811452281). This gun, Serial# 136103 pictured below, is almost too nice to shoot. I rate it at 98%+ with just a touch of edge wear at the muzzle and lower front of the frame, a couple of tiny handling marks on the bottom of the trigger guard, and a small amount of patina on the backstrap. The grips are flawless and numbered to the gun. To add a little frosting on the cake, when I sent my ship date request to Roy for this gun, I got the following reply:
"Terry, .45 H.E. Model 1917 was shipped in November 1918. It is interesting as it was shipped to a Military Camp and not to the Springfield Armory. May have some history. Hope that this helps. Roy"
Needless to say, my factory letter request has already been submitted and I will provide an update when I receive the letter from Roy. Anyway, I hope this streak continues for a long time to come!
Click on the pictures for a closer look.
Serial# 136103 Left Side
Serial# 136103 Right Side
Serial# 1514 (nearest) and Serial# 136103
Last December a couple of weeks before Christmas I won a very early Model 1917 Army from a GB auction for $1214 shipped including M1917 holster and M1917 Web Belt (Serial# 1514 that rates near 97% and lettered as being in the very first shipment of Model 1917 revolvers to the Springfield Armory). You can read more about that revolver in the thread at Meet Model 1917 Army DA 45 ACP Serial# 1514 if you are interested.
This month I won another auction for a Model 1917 Army from a GB auction - this time a Buy Now for $920 shipped! (Sold Auction link is at Smith & Wesson 1917 U.S. Army .45 Caliber Revolver - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 811452281). This gun, Serial# 136103 pictured below, is almost too nice to shoot. I rate it at 98%+ with just a touch of edge wear at the muzzle and lower front of the frame, a couple of tiny handling marks on the bottom of the trigger guard, and a small amount of patina on the backstrap. The grips are flawless and numbered to the gun. To add a little frosting on the cake, when I sent my ship date request to Roy for this gun, I got the following reply:
"Terry, .45 H.E. Model 1917 was shipped in November 1918. It is interesting as it was shipped to a Military Camp and not to the Springfield Armory. May have some history. Hope that this helps. Roy"
Needless to say, my factory letter request has already been submitted and I will provide an update when I receive the letter from Roy. Anyway, I hope this streak continues for a long time to come!
Click on the pictures for a closer look.
Serial# 136103 Left Side

Serial# 136103 Right Side

Serial# 1514 (nearest) and Serial# 136103

Last edited: