..... Model 1917 S&W revolver with Low Serial Number 153

[YeshuaIsa53]

Great gun. I really like it, too.

 

[fat tom]

Add me to the list of watchers and admirers. Great gun!
f.t.

 

[lebomm]

That's some fine iron, Carl ! Congratulations and please do let us know how she shoots.

Larry

 

[Carl Casto]

Congratulations on your purchase. I love those old guns, and that one's a fine example. I saw it for sale and would've bought it in a heartbeat if I'd had the money.

Just curious, are you going to shoot it?

Watchdog, thank you. Yes I certainly intend to shoot it. I know from collecting the 19th Century weapons for so long that there is always something of a debate on whether or not collectors should shoot vintage firearms in such good condition. I shoot only a relatively few number of my American Civil War firearms, but really enjoy it when I do.

This makes only the fourth 20th Century martial arm that I own, but I shoot all of the others (original mid-WW II M1 Garand, pre WWI M1903 Springfield, and WW I Colt M 1911).

Having said that, I would be curious what you and others think about shooting a Model 1917 in such fine shape. Would you, or wouldn't you? I suppose I could consider buying a second M1917 in lesser condition to shoot, and keep this one as it is. But as of now, anyway, I do intend to shoot her.

 

[Carl Casto]

Congrats and Welcome to the Forum.
You have purchased a fine Revolver and couldn't have bought it from a better Seller!

VM, Thank you. And yes, I gather from your comments above and those of many other experienced S&W collectors in this thread, that this seller is one fine guy.

In his GB description of this M 1917, he wrote, "Want to learn more about Smith & Wesson's? Visit the smith-wessonforum.com"

I really liked that, and it told me he was a very knowledgeable collector / dealer, and most likely a straight shooter.

I also liked the way he didn't hype the gun in his description, and only stated the facts, and did so in a rather understated manner at that.

 

[Carl Casto]

Carl, that's an excellent 1917. The early features, not to mention the super-early serial number, are just icing on the cake. You made a superior acquisition.

I'm with VM on his characterization of the seller; I got my own top-grade early-features 1917 from him a few years ago, and it's one of the favorite items in my collection.

DC, thank you for your comments. The more I read the feedback from knowledgeable S&W collectors such as yourself and others, the more reassured I feel. Research and "book learning" about a new pattern firearm I am thinking of buying is one thing, but hands on experience and feedback from seasoned collectors like you (and the other guys) is quite another.

I would really enjoy seeing sometime your "own top-grade early-features 1917" that you bought from the same seller. ... And thanks also to you and the many others for your feedback on the earlier "Quintana M1917" that I was considering buying about a month ago.

 

[Carl Casto]

Congratulations, you got a really nice one!!!

Thanks, S&W ucla, I appreciate that. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[Carl Casto]

I saw the Auction,I thought it would bring maybe $1,500.

Hi Carbon,

Well, I was hoping I might get lucky and purchase it for less, but deep inside I knew that it was probably going to fetch nearly $2,000 or better.

Most of the other bidders dropped off at about $1,400, but one last guy really wanted this gun almost as much as I did, and he kept bidding up to over $2,000.

Based on two other early serial numbered Model 1917s I'd seen sell at auctions within just the past month, I still think I got a reasonable deal, even considering the "bidding war" at the end with the other potential buyer.

A Model 1917 S&W SN #10300 in fairly comparable condition sold for $2070 at an RIA auction less than a month ago, and another M 1917 S&W SN #3709 in comparable condition hammered at $2,820 at a Cowan's auction even more recently.

 

[Carl Casto]

Congrats on the purchase of that beautiful and early 1917. I was bidding on it earlier in the auction and completely forgot that it ended last night or it would have cost you more money

BTW - everyone is spot on about the seller

Hi blind ref ... (love the name),

Thanks for your thoughts.

Well I must say I have mixed feelings about you missing the auction on its last night .. lol ;-).

I'm sorry you missed your chance at the end of the auction, but glad that the bidding didn't get even stiffer!

It sounds like instead of me getting into a bidding war with one other guy at the end, I would have had to try to fend off two other really interested potential buyers if you had remembered that the auction ended on Sunday.

 

[Carl Casto]

Beautiful gun. it makes me envious as it makes the 1917 i just bought look like it spent the last 90+ years banging around in a toolbox!

Please tell me you paid about a zillion dollars.

Hi Sailor and thanks for your reply,

Two things.

First, I have more than my share of antique firearms that look as if they'd be at home in a toolbox ... ;-)

Actually, I also kind of like the guns that look like they have been there, and taken part in the conflict. But I know that from a purist collector standpoint, they aren't as valuable to others. ... This gun does have some holster wear, which I like, but is still apparently in very good condition. So I won't be throwing it into the large tool box in my basement with the others of a similar nature.

Second, I didn't pay a zillion dollars for it.
I did pay $2,083.
But in "wife talk", that is very close to 1 zillion dollars, as you probably already know ;-)

 

[Carl Casto]

LOVE the gun. I saw it too. And let me also add as others have said you bought it from the right seller. Apparently you didn't know who he is, but you bought from one of the most upstanding, honest, intelligent collectors in the business! (howz that for brown-noseing).
Actually I meant every word I said.
Hey, the condition and serial number on that one are really nice. I've seen a few earlier numbered 1917's, but only a few. Congrats on making an excellent purchase.

Roger

Hi Memphis,

Thanks for your kind words, and I've been to Memphis a number of times.

I now know, thanks to you and others, what an honest gentleman and collector I had the good fortune to buy this M 1917 from. I did not know that before. And I must say, that makes me feel even better about my purchase.

I kind of inferred from some of the things he said in his listing, the way he said them, and his beautiful pictures of the revolver, that he was a top-drawer kind of guy. But now I know that for sure!

After I purchased the gun from him, and we were exchanging emails, I happened to ask him how many other S&W M1917s he was personally aware of that had a lower serial number than 153. ... He replied, "I have only seen 2 lower over the many decades I have chased S&W's. A friend of mine owns # 11.
I have seen pics of # 45 on the net."

That was kind of him to share that information with me. I am sure there are others, but I am very happy to own this one, especially as it is in such good condition.

I love doing business with great guys like him.

 

[Carl Casto]

Possibly the finest S&W ever made!

Congratulations!!!

Thank you, 153, for your remarkably kind comment!

That's really something that you said that.

Are you just saying that because it has the serial number that matches your name? ... lol ;-)

Either way, thanks very much.

 

[Carl Casto]

Great gun, and a fine acquisition.
That seller takes some fine pictures and gives good, detailed descriptions.
I'll bet he knows a thing or two about S&W's....

Thank you, JayCeeNC,

Yes, this gentleman's photos are extremely clear, detailed, and generous in number.

Here is the link to the GB page which has the gun, but I know it is only available for a short time. If you look at it while the page is still available, you can see all of the photos at once, instead of in a bunch of separate posts with 4 or 5 in each,.

Smith & Wesson WW I WW 1 US Mod 1917 Serial # 153 : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com

He even went to the trouble if taking 6 or 7 separate pics of the outside of the cylinder, so it can be seen at various locations in its revolution. That is the consummate professional.

He told me he has been collecting S&Ws for decades, and referred prospective buyers to this forum for additional information.

 

[Carl Casto]

Great gun. I really like it, too.

Thanks, Bud, for your comments, and for taking the time to respond to my post.

 

[Carl Casto]

Add me to the list of watchers and admirers. Great gun!
f.t.

I appreciate that Fat Tom. I love South Carolina, and my family and I have visited there on vacation several times. You have a beautiful state that is rich in American history.

 

[Carl Casto]

That's some fine iron, Carl ! Congratulations and please do let us know how she shoots.

Larry

Thank you, Lebomm.

I believe she will shoot very well.

And I will let you know the results.

Watchdog had asked me earlier if I intend to shoot her.

And here is my response to him:


Yes I certainly intend to shoot it. I know from collecting the 19th Century weapons for so long that there is always something of a debate on whether or not collectors should shoot vintage firearms in such good condition. I shoot only a relatively few number of my American Civil War firearms, but really enjoy it when I do.

This makes only the fourth 20th Century martial arm that I own, but I shoot all of the others (original mid-WW II M1 Garand, pre WWI M1903 Springfield, and WW I Colt M 1911).

Having said that, I would be curious what you and others think about shooting a Model 1917 in such fine shape. Would you, or wouldn't you? I suppose I could consider buying a second M1917 in lesser condition to shoot, and keep this one as it is. But as of now, anyway, I do intend to shoot her.


You comments would be much appreciated regarding this, Lebomm, as well as comments from any other posters and members.

 

[Freischütz]

I'm not a collector, I'm a shooter. I've found that the finish on high end guns is easily worn with light use. The sharp edges lose bluing quickly.

I have a 1970s production P.08 that was new. I wrapped it in a towel when I took it to the range. It never saw a holster. Yet after three shooting sessions bluing was gone from places on the trigger plate and the sharp edges of the receiver. I realized it didn't take much use to go from 99% to 95% or less.

Consequently I'd advise not shooting it.

 

[S&W38]

Carl Casto:

Thank you for sharing all the details of your newly acquired S&W Model 1917 and all the details of its acquisition. I learned what a yoke detent is; I hadn't known that such a term or feature ever existed on S&W revolvers.

May you long enjoy that fine piece!

 

[bettis1]

Carl,

I did not see the auction but as I was reading your first post and the description of the seller (before any pictures were posted) I said to myself: "This is going to be a nice gun!" I did not know who the seller was but when you have read the descriptions of thousands of guns over the years you get a feeling for the thoroughness and accuracy of a vendor. This one just said "Buy it if you can!" Congratulations.

Bob

P.S. If you don't have a copy, try to find an out of print copy of U.S. Handguns of World War II by Charles Pate. It will be extremely helpful in your new collecting venue.

B.

 

[Carl Casto]

I'm not a collector, I'm a shooter. I've found that the finish on high end guns is easily worn with light use. The sharp edges lose bluing quickly.

I have a 1970s production P.08 that was new. I wrapped it in a towel when I took it to the range. It never saw a holster. Yet after three shooting sessions bluing was gone from places on the trigger plate and the sharp edges of the receiver. I realized it didn't take much use to go from 99% to 95% or less.

Consequently I'd advise not shooting it.

Hi, Freischütz, and thank you for this information.

I am mostly a collector, but like to shoot some as well.

Your comments give me pause, and cause me to possibly reconsider my inclination to shoot this low-numbered M 1917.

I appreciate your candor.

And I would welcome comments about shooting this piece ... pro and con ... from any other posters as well ... as i have had zero experience live firing a gun such as this that is in such fine condition.

Carl Casto