Model 1917 Target in .45 Colt

[linde]

Originally posted by Catshooter:
Very nice roller Russ, thanks for showing it.

I too have a customized '17. It started life as military weapon. Then someone added a post war rear sight just like yours and a .455 barrel 6.375 inches long. The cylinder is still .45 ACP but with very large throats. The extractor matches the cylinder but they aren't original either.

No re-blue on mine. I love it. Yours would match mine perfectly, by the way!

Cat

Thanks ... proud to share it.

Someday I would love to see a display of 1917 revolvers and its many variations. This web site does a great service by allowing members to post contributions in response to a "let's show em" thread, but it's sometimes difficult to pull them together.

What I'd love to see is a "Display Room" on the forum that "stays open" for historically significant models &/or variations without having to search a multitude of treads. I am a relatively new member, so this may have already been tried &/or ruled out. I'll submit such a suggestion on the Administration forum and see how the owner/operator reacts.

Russ

 

[Hondo44]

Originally posted by linde:
According to the S&W factory letter, serial number 179014 started out an standard Model of 1917 and shipped on August 18, 1927, to Tryon and Company of Philadelphia, PA. There were two Model 1917s in the shipment at $21.90 each. Since there are no US Property markings on the gun and it shipped to a dealer, I am assuming it can be considered a commercial variety ... tell me if that's a bad assumption.

However, as you can see, the revolver didn't stay an ordinary Model of 1917. Based on a * on the butt next to the serial number and a 7.49 date on the left side of the frame under the grip, Roy believes the revolver was returned to the factory and reworded to a target model in .45 Colt caliber. The factory "done good" because it shoots really sweet.

It has a post-war micrometer rear sight, what I believe to be the Brazilian 1917 type front sight, and post war Magna grips. The cylinder measures 1.570" and is numbered to the gun but, based on the correct headspace for 45 Colt, I believe the factory replaced the cylinder ... only wish I had the original .45 ACP cylinder to go with it.

Russ
S&WCA #853

Russ,
That is a beauty! It definitely looks to me like the long throw hammer. Those early N frame diamond magnas with the thicker top really look good on it. It may just be the picture, but is that a 5 1/2" barrel standard on all 1917s or is it shorter?
I have a military 1917 conversion as well but not by the factory, by Micro sight, using the prewar rear sight which didn't reguire such a high front sight. I love the Micro wide spur target hammer on it (stamped Micro if you look real hard):

I'll post the entire gun when I find the picture.


Thx,

 

[linde]

Originally posted by Hondo44:
Russ,
That is a beauty! It definitely looks to me like the long throw hammer. Those early N frame diamond magnas with the thicker top really look good on it. It may just be the picture, but is that a 5 1/2" barrel standard on all 1917s or is it shorter?
I have a military 1917 conversion as well but not by the factory, by Micro sight, using the prewar rear sight which didn't reguire such a high front sight. I love the Micro wide spur target hammer on it (stamped Micro if you look real hard):

I'll post the entire gun when I find the picture.

Thx,

Jim,

Thanks. It is a long hammer throw and has the standard length 5 1/2" barrel. Probably common to all Commercial variations, the caliber roll mark is on the left side of the barrel and is missing the "U.S. Property" under the barrel.

Great looking hammer on your 1917. I'm not familiar with Micro sight but am looking forward to seeing more pics of yours, especially the pre-war rear adjustable sight and low profile front sight.

Russ
S&WCA #853

 

[Art Doc]

Would S&W do such a radical conversion? I realize it has a factory service mark but does that prove they did the total conversion?

 

[linde]

Originally posted by SaxonPig:
Would S&W do such a radical conversion? I realize it has a factory service mark but does that prove they did the total conversion?

Good question ... hope someone with close factory ties will respond.

In his 12/6/89 factory letter, Roy was only able to say "It is my opinion that the star on the butt with the serial number indicates that the revolver was returned to the factory and reworked to a target model in .45 Colt caliber."

I look forward to making my first SWHF research project finding the factory work order for this gun ... am mailing my membership application today!

Russ

 

[feralmerril]

Except for the front sight and different grips I would swear that is the one I had built up 35 years ago by Dan King! It isnt as I also had the hammer heavy beavertailed, and the front sight I had it look like a colt trooper ramp.
I had a nice 1917 and found a brand new/old .455 clyinder I belive from sarco (?) when they were in North Hollywood, Calif. I had old Dan King who ran a small gunsmithing shop in culver city do the work. He fitted up the .455 clyinder and extra crane to .45 colt, put a red insert, milled the frame and put me on a WO smith target sight. I had a true convertable .45 ACP and .45 colt when he got through. Had him beavertail the hammer, and I had put S&W targets on it. In those days I dont belive I had over $300 in the job COUNTING the price of the gun and parts! I sadly traded it off to a friend that has now passed. I do belive I remember haveing to keep the .45 colt bullets a little shorter in weight. Otherwise I would have thought that my gun!

 

[Pontiaker]

 

[Hondo44]

Well there's my 1917 right above. The link would just not cooperate for me so my son posted it.
Started life as a standard WW I US Army 1917. Serial range 139000, all matching numbers, US Property stamped under barrel and butt, flaming bombs and eagle heads in all the proper places, no inspector initials, S&W D.A. 45 on left side of barrel, lanyard ring (hidden in recess of target grip butt) with grooved trigger.

It's 99% of a factory equal refinish. Poor lighting makes it look like wear on muzzle and cylinder but it is not.

Redfield gold 'square' tipped front sight blade milled in original base and pinned in with one solid, flush pin.

Pre war factory rear adjustable target sight with the two elevation screws (one adjusting and one lock screw) with horizontal grooves on rear of sight base just below blade.

Hammer detail can be seen above in my earlier post. Stamped Micro and is a thing of beauty and craftsmanship in the "King double cockeyed" style. An exact .500" wide fully checkered spur with a side view contour exactly like a factory narrow hammer of that period including the teardrop bump under the tip. This gun as an action like KY with about a 1 1/2 lb. SA pull.

The grips have post-war emblems, a right hand palm swell that melts in your hand and flared bottom. They appear to be maple.

There is no indication that this was done by the factory but certainly is that quality. Because of Micro hammer I can only surmise it ws done by Microsight, but I don't know.

What I do know is that even with my old eyes (62) even I can put a cylinder full into a ragged hole at 20 yards.

 

[john traveler]

feralmerill,

That was probably Sherwood International, the gun parts surplus store in North Hollywood. I visited them for the first time in 1968, and that sounded familiar. Later, in the early 1970s they moved to Northridge, CA.

 

[linde]

Originally posted by Hondo44:
Well there's my 1917 right above.

Redfield gold 'square' tipped front sight blade milled in original base and pinned in with one solid, flush pin ... Pre war factory rear adjustable target sight with the two elevation screws ... Hammer stamped Micro and is a thing of beauty and craftsmanship in the "King double cockeyed" style. This gun as an action like KY with about a 1 1/2 lb. SA pull.

I can only surmise it ws done by Microsight, but I don't know ... What I do know is that even with my old eyes (62) even I can put a cylinder full into a ragged hole at 20 yards.

Jim,

That is one awesome 1917 target conversion! I really like the sleek pre-war rear sight and lower profile front sight. Whoever did it, they did a professional job. Thanks for sharing ... I had hoped there were others out there.

Russ

 

[feralmerril]

John traveler, you are right! I belive it was sherwood! It was off sherman way.

 

[midewo]

my 1917.... newbie posting

all,
greetings from disneyland / so cal orange county!
and thank you all for helping me identify my (recently deceased) father's favorite revolver. He just loved this piece and as many have mentioned it is a sweet shooter. i have enclosed some pix and the serial number is 19541, it has micro-sights and the s&w logo on the right side. no other markings other tan the S.&W. D.A. .45 on the left. My family has tasked me with inventorying my dad's collection.
based on all your pictures, i think / am pretty sure my dad's gun is a 1917. i truly appreciate your comments and confirmation.....
again, heartiest thanks to all contributors for this thread

/mike

 

[DCWilson]

Midewo, welcome to the forum from another Orange Countian.

Your dad's gun is definitely a Model of 1917 that was refinished, given a jeweled hammer and trigger, and modified with the installation of Micro front and rear sights. I have a similar revolver that originally chambered the uncommon .455 round. It was made a little before your 1917, and was converted to .45 Colt after WWI ended. Then in the 1960s (I am guessing), the frame was milled to permit installation of the Micro sights.

The stocks on your gun cannot be earlier than 1968 based on design features. That may be about the time it was spruced up and given the target sights.

I bet that gun is capable of great accuracy. Shoot it in good health.

 

[bmg60]

Hi
In the 1942 thru 1949 the factory would do what ever they had parts for.
I have a 1917 that was completly rebuild in to a 38 spec outdoorsman.
with a new 38 spec cyl. numbered to the gun and a barrel 6 1/2 inch numbered to the gun.
with target sights. it was done in 1942.
I don't have a picture of it at this time it is in the bottom of the safe.
Jim Fisher.

Here is a original 1917 Target shipped just as you see it with humpback hammer, Magna,s and Target sights with a McGivern gold bead front sight.
shipped to Canada. Gun is all orginal 99% Condition. Cal is 45 ACP.

 

[feralmerril]

Go back to my old post #26 from 3 years ago. The front sight configeration is a little different, and I had the hammer beavertailed. Otherwise that looks like my gun that I had customised in the early 70s. I had two clyinders and a extra crane to make it truely convertable 45 acp and 45 colt. It worked well too. I traded it back to a close friend that I had got it from after I had the work done. Its been since about 1975.

 

[feralmerril]

I also have this triplelock that was fixed sighted and sent back twice to the factory in 1949 and again in 1950. I belive the target sights were put on then. I have a factory letter. It is a little unclear as RJ simply "assumed" the work was done then.
Notice the front sight configeration is the same as the subject gun.