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

[Carl Casto]

See Carl, Alex and I gave you both sides of the same coin. We agree on what the letter will tell you about your M1917. So only you can say whether that is of enough interest to you to order a letter.

Bob

Thanks Bob and Alex, (and all)

I appreciate your latest feedback re the letter.

Well, I received the M 1917 revolver yesterday, and it looks great. Am really pleased with it.

My FFL is a 5th generation gunsmith and former armorer in the Army who is now nearing 80 years of age. He told me he had never seen an M 1917 revolver is such great condition, and had never seen one with that low of a serial number on it to boot!

He told me I should be proud to own such a fine Smith and Wesson as that one, and of course I am.

Planning to take the M 1917 to the firing range in the next day or two and fire some rounds through her. I want to compare it in feel and accuracy with my WW I M 1911 Colt, and my Glock 21 Gen. 4, both .45 caliber semi-automatics, of course.

Thanks for all of your feedback on this Model 1917. I think I may still owe a post or two, which I intend to do.

Carl

 

[Carl Casto]

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

Larry

Hi Larry,

Wanted to get back with you. I just came back from shooting the M 1917 at the firing range.

I shot the M 1917, as well as a WW I vintage M 1911 Colt, and my Glock 21 Gen. 4, the latter two of which are both .45 caliber semi-automatics, of course.

This M 1917 was as accurate as both of the other two handguns, even more so at times, depending on the inconsistencies of the shooter, naturally.

To make it fair, i fired the M 1917 on single action, to put it on a par with the other two pistols.

I was very impressed with the M 1917's accuracy, and she was a real pleasure to shoot. Looking forward to the next time I fire her.

Just wanted to let you and the others know,

Carl

P.S. I appreciate your warning, Freischütz, but I just couldn't resist shooting this M 1917. I will probably do so less often than my other martial 20th century weapons, however .. ;-)

 

[Carl Casto]

Guys,

I have been to the firing range twice now with this M 1917 and she continues to shoot very well.

Quick question ... I originally thought I'd be buying some half-moon clips to help with the ejecting / unloading ... but so far the spent shells just drop out of the cylinder when I turn the muzzle toward the ceiling.

Is this because the chambers of the cylinder are in such good condition?

And do you think I will eventually need some half-moon or full-moon clips once I have shot the revolver more.

Thanks in advance,

Carl

 

[Hondo44]

Hi Carl,

As long as it has reasonable care and cleaning, the cases typically do drop out and will always, no matter the age of the gun or amount it's been shot, at least in my 55 years experience. I hate the clips and never use them. I take that back, I only use them if that's my defense gun for the day.

 

[Carl Casto]

Hi Carl,

As long as it has reasonable care and cleaning, the cases typically do drop out and will always, no matter the age of the gun or amount it's been shot, at least in my 55 years experience. I hate the clips and never use them. I take that back, I only use them if that's my defense gun for the day.

Thanks Jim,

I appreciate your feedback. I will definitely being taking reasonable care and cleaning of this revolver.

I guess the half-moon clips were necessary for rapid loading (and unloading) under combat conditions during WW I and WW II.

If so, there's probably not much need for target shooters to use them nowadays, unless you are involved in speed shooting with other guys, I suppose.

Carl

 

[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.

Hi David,

Wanted to touch base with you on two things.

First, is there any chance I could see some pics of your own "top-grade early-features 1917" that you bought a few years back from the same seller as i recently did? ... Either by posting some pics to the forum, or referring me to a previous thread of yours that may have included photographs of it, or by private message or email?

Second, you mentioned to me in my Quintana thread of several months ago that the process of digitizing the S&W factory records is currently underway. Do you have any idea when this digitization will be complete? And when it is, will these digitized S&W factory records be available via the Internet?

Many thanks,

Carl

 

[Carl Casto]

Follow-up re digitizing the S&W factory records ...

Hi guys,

DC Wilson mentioned to me about a year ago that "the process of digitizing the S&W factory records is currently underway."

Dave and other members of this forum, do any of you happen to know when this digitization will be complete?

And when it is complete, will these digitized S&W factory records be available via the Internet, published in book form, or otherwise available?

Thanks,

Carl

 

[murphydog]

The S & W Historical Foundation is the organization digitizing the factory records. They completed 1935-'41 a while back (the time frame of a model called the Registered Magnum) and are working backward from there. Funding for this is by donations and this may be the rate-limiting step in completion.

As far as I am aware there are no publication plans at this time, but perhaps one of the SWHF leadership can comment.

 

[DCWilson]

Carl, my apologies for not replying to your questions before now. I simply didn't see them when the thread was last active.

Murphydog correctly characterized the state of the digitization process as I know it, and I can't add anything there.

I don't seem to have published detailed photos of my 1917 in a dedicated thread, but I mentioned it in a few threads started by others. The serial number is 13546 if you want to try a forum search.

Here's a thread with a WWI theme that features a couple of images of the 1917 I mentioned plus a couple of other contemporary revolvers.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/178919-some-world-war-i-revolvers-hat.html

Look for a PM.

 

[BUFF]

Carl:

I would advise two simple alternatives to the three round 'half-moon' clips. The first are 'full-moon' clips that hold six cartridges. They are easier to load and unload than the three rounders, in my experience, and don't bend anywhere near as easily.

The second alternative is to use a cartridge called the .45 Auto Rim. This is a cartridge that was developed after the First World War to do away with the need for moon clips by adding a thick rim to the .45 ACP cartridge case. This allows the ejector to have something to push against to kick out empties the same as other revolver cartridges have. If you handload, you use the same data, components and reloading dies as for the ACP, needing only a different shellholder. It's a popular round with those of us who shoot .45 ACP revolvers a lot. Remington and Starline make the brass.

That is a lovely example of the 1917 you have. I've never found one as nice, although I have a commercial 1917 that shipped in 1930 that is in the same shape but has had the lanyard loop removed to fit aftermarket target stocks.