Couple of weeks ago posted about a gun I'd briefly seen at a flea market and the seller's, "story". Couldn't really check it out, as wife was bugging me to go look at a set of shelves for her plants
Anyway, lady friend, in the antique business, had a chance to talk to the owner, not the guy manning the table when I was there. So, yesterday, I went back, W/O wife.. and for under $300, I bought the "1917".
Bluing probably 90% all original, good case on hammer/trigger, serial# in 41K range, full markings, lanyard on butt, grips in excellent shape(no cracks,gouges over 1/16th), GHS inspected, ALL parts, including grips have same serial#.
BUT, the barrel is NOT a 1917, but from a T.L.
At first I thought it was a cut down to an even 5", from a 6.5".455 T.L., BUT it is factory. ALL patents are fully centered and the "maltese" cross" borders are vertical, not horizontal, as in my .6.5" .455 T.L. Even under a strong light, and mag. glass, NO evidence of bbl. being cut and "welded back on".
NO serial # or marks inside the shroud, and Smith & Wesson markings removed from rt. side of bbl.(along with any cal. markings). Could be a .44 Special "bored out"(as S&W did to some T.L.s to rush them to G.B. in late 1914). So barrel origin is a mystery. NO "factory rework marks", and bbl. change was NOT a "kitchen table/back alley screw up!
There is NO front cyl. lock(1917 rod tip ground down to fit in shroud), or the T.L. in front of frame. I had the correct ejector rod in NOS parts!
Bore slugs .456, same as my 6.5" T.L. and even with the "one lock", accuracy was great with .455 Rem. HB over R.Dot.
I have a "spare" T.L. crane and lock, and most internal cylinder parts-but don't have the 3rd lock, springs, cover etc. that fits in shroud.
So, I could; 1) get a 1917 barrel, and have a nice "nearly original" 1917(many have replaced bbls. by the Govt. arsenals) 2) Try and find the remaining T.L. lock parts and then modify the 1917 frame for the T.L. 3) or keep it "as bought"- which is what I will probably do, joining my other .45 Colt/.45acp./.455 "convertable shooter"(and to think I bought a ANIB M-22-4 T R. a year ago, just to save "wear & tear" on my pre wars!).
Wearing a pair of 1930's silver medallion non Magnas, looks very "retro".
To me, ANY decent, "shootable" N frames for under $350 these days(probably $400 for pre wars) is a "good find".
Bud
Anyway, lady friend, in the antique business, had a chance to talk to the owner, not the guy manning the table when I was there. So, yesterday, I went back, W/O wife.. and for under $300, I bought the "1917".
Bluing probably 90% all original, good case on hammer/trigger, serial# in 41K range, full markings, lanyard on butt, grips in excellent shape(no cracks,gouges over 1/16th), GHS inspected, ALL parts, including grips have same serial#.
BUT, the barrel is NOT a 1917, but from a T.L.
At first I thought it was a cut down to an even 5", from a 6.5".455 T.L., BUT it is factory. ALL patents are fully centered and the "maltese" cross" borders are vertical, not horizontal, as in my .6.5" .455 T.L. Even under a strong light, and mag. glass, NO evidence of bbl. being cut and "welded back on".
NO serial # or marks inside the shroud, and Smith & Wesson markings removed from rt. side of bbl.(along with any cal. markings). Could be a .44 Special "bored out"(as S&W did to some T.L.s to rush them to G.B. in late 1914). So barrel origin is a mystery. NO "factory rework marks", and bbl. change was NOT a "kitchen table/back alley screw up!
There is NO front cyl. lock(1917 rod tip ground down to fit in shroud), or the T.L. in front of frame. I had the correct ejector rod in NOS parts!
Bore slugs .456, same as my 6.5" T.L. and even with the "one lock", accuracy was great with .455 Rem. HB over R.Dot.
I have a "spare" T.L. crane and lock, and most internal cylinder parts-but don't have the 3rd lock, springs, cover etc. that fits in shroud.
So, I could; 1) get a 1917 barrel, and have a nice "nearly original" 1917(many have replaced bbls. by the Govt. arsenals) 2) Try and find the remaining T.L. lock parts and then modify the 1917 frame for the T.L. 3) or keep it "as bought"- which is what I will probably do, joining my other .45 Colt/.45acp./.455 "convertable shooter"(and to think I bought a ANIB M-22-4 T R. a year ago, just to save "wear & tear" on my pre wars!).
Wearing a pair of 1930's silver medallion non Magnas, looks very "retro".
To me, ANY decent, "shootable" N frames for under $350 these days(probably $400 for pre wars) is a "good find".
Bud
