Model 1917 Post Office Value

[Cobroller]

What is the affect of being marked as a USPS on the value of a 1917? Local gun store has one that is in the 68XXX range with all numbers matching. It has the smooth stocks. Finish is worn with several rust spots.
I know they were used by post office security back in the day, but haven't been able to find any recent sale prices. Thanks for your help.

 

[popgun]

Condition is everything, so Pictures would help. Buy the discription you gave my guess it is in the $450 ballpark. Some questions come to mind, such as do the stocks number to the gun, bore condition ect.? As for the USPS marking, it does add some interest to a nitch collecter, but condition has more effect on value.

popgun

 

[opoefc]

Beware of fake markings. If the gun does not letter as shipped to the US Post Office, don't pay a premium for it, regardless of the sellers assertations of a glorius past protecting the US mails! Real Model 1917s were issued to the USPO employess working the various Railway Postal cars, with military flap type holsters. The holsters were stamped USPO on the flaps. Ed #15

 

[n4zov]

Beware of fake markings. If the gun does not letter as shipped to the US Post Office, don't pay a premium for it, regardless of the sellers assertations of a glorius past protecting the US mails! Real Model 1917s were issued to the USPO employess working the various Railway Postal cars, with military flap type holsters. The holsters were stamped USPO on the flaps. Ed #15

I was under the impression that the M1917's used by the USPO were transferred from military stocks and therefore they would not letter to the PO. Did the PO buy some commercial guns and if so how were they marked?

 

[opoefc]

Various publications report that many Model 1917s used by the PO were obtained from the military, therefore they would not show as shipped from S&W to the PO in the S&W records, so a better way to verify their PO history, would be the paperwork indicating the sale as surplus, by the PO, or copies of the archival records showing release from military inventory to the PO. There are other S&W models, I & J frame revolvers that have USPO stamps and are recognized as legitimate PO guns by collectors. Ed #15

 

[ColbyBruce]

From Wikipedia:
"The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 abolished the United States Post Office Department, a part of the cabinet, and created the United States Postal Service, a corporation-like independent agency with an official monopoly on the delivery of mail in the United States. Pub.L. 91-375 was signed by President Richard Nixon on August 12, 1970.[1]

The legislation was a direct outcome of the U.S. Postal Service strike of 1970."


I sort of doubt even forty years ago the postal service would of issued surplus 1917 revolvers. Anything issued earlier than 1970 would not be marked "USPS".

 

[depicts]

I wasn't around, like Ed, when the 1917 was issued, but I do remember as a young boy of 5 or 6 going to the post office where my father worked and he brought me behind the counter and I saw 1917's in holsters under the clerks windows.

My Dad showed me the gun and to this day I remember the size of the bullet seeming so huge.

I didn't know enough to look for USPS stampings, but I doubt it!

(Wink...ED!)

 

[Cobroller]

Thanks for the input. I didn't see any P.O. marking as such. I was told that the "eagle " markings were from the post office. They turn out to be standard military markings on the later 1917's. There is an actual post office marked holster in the deal.
My 1917 is early, with GHS inspector stamp. I will pass on this one, sure not worth a premium to me.

 

[Da Old Bear]

What is the affect of being marked as a USPS on the value of a 1917? Local gun store has one that is in the 68XXX range with all numbers matching. It has the smooth stocks. Finish is worn with several rust spots.
I know they were used by post office security back in the day, but haven't been able to find any recent sale prices. Thanks for your help.

I have a S&W, M-1917 that was transferred to the post office from the military. There are no special post office markings on the pistol, but I was able to trace it through a web site a number of years ago, and their research indicated that it was transferred to the post office in the 1920s.

Sounds like mine might be in better condition than the one your mention, but I'm not sure about it's value. Comments or opinions regarding value are welcome.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I was employed by the U.S. Post Office as a "Temp" in 1956/1957 era. Carriers with Registered Mail were issued a sidearm. Mostly H&R .38 S&W snubs. There was a S&W Model 1917 in the arms inventory with a military flap holster. Some mail car employees were issued Colt .38 snubs.
Jimmy

 

[woodbeef]

My Dad used to be Post Master in the small town I grew up in. He was issued a S&W model 36. It was marked USPO on the back strap I think it was. They took it back in the 70s. I still remember the wax bullets they gave him for practice. Wish I could find one of them today.