My favorite revolver that I've never shot, M1917

[Kframe]

Hey folks, time for a little more show and tell.
(this one is a little nicer than the .32-20 I just showed)

My M1917, I’ve had it about 8-10 years and I’ve never fired it, probably never will.
Just too pretty, in my opinion. Plus, when I want to shoot a .45 I’ll just drag out my cobbled together 1911A1 that I built from parts, but that’s another story.

I took pictures of every detail and stamping that I could find, except for the stamp on the yoke but I don’t want to take off the cylinder to get to it, but there is a matching number there.

First, the pictures, then my questions.
(I do apologize for some blurry shots, the macro setting on my camera has difficulty with shiny objects.)

Flaming bomb stamp:

S10 below an eagle:

S19235 assembly number:

W stamped in yoke recess:

Matching serial number on extractor:

S3 stamped on cylinder:

Matching serial number on cylinder:

No scorching to cylinder face:

F stamped under right grip panel:

CS or C9 stamped under left grip panel:

Bright, BRIGHT bore:

One of the most impressive things, to me, about this gun is the fit; one has to remember these guns were made for war, not as collectables, I’ve seen many modern PC guns that don’t lock up as tight.

Right grip panel:

Left grip panel:

Very faint penciled, matching serial number:

I believe based on the serial number that this was made in 1918, right at the end of WWI. Given the near mint condition, I can’t imagine that this piece was ever issued to a soldier/officer, but it may have made it from S&W to the Army, or maybe the war ended before the Army got a hold of it and it was sold commercially…
I know I seriously need to get a letter on this, but between procrastinating and needed the money for household/family stuff I haven’t done it.

I’d bet money that this has never been reblued, but if that’s the case, I almost think that it is unfired. I’ve heard in the past that S&W, at some point, test fired every other chamber (so 3 shots, total) at the factory before shipping, is that correct?

Based on my pictures, does anyone have a current ballpark value?
(For insurance purposes, only. This one is NEVER getting sold.)
I have no box, papers or tools with it.

If anyone has information about what the different stampings mean, I'd also be very interested in that.
Thanks!

 

[Alpo]

The Eagle head over a number is a Springfield Armory inspector's mark. Interesting, to me, is that the frame was inspected by a different guy than the one that did the cylinder.

 

[bettis1]

"Eagle head"? Once you see it as a "Penguin", you'll never see it as anything else.

Bob

 

[quinn]

That is a beauty! I'd have trouble taking it to the range, too.

 

[kthom]

Kframe or Bob,

Very nice 1917! Bit of a thread hijack here but a question relating to the Eagle Head over a number stamp shown in the pictures above please? I don't wish to detract from the original post here but my question relates to what is shown in one of the pictures above. If I need to move this question to a new thread, please let me know.

Can you give me more information about the Eagle Head over a number stamp on the frame shown above? Or perhaps a link to a source for more information? I have a 1917 that has been nickel plated (refinished) that has that stamp in about four or five places on the revolver. From memory, the stamp (with the same number, I think) is found on the flat underneath the barrel, on the frame cut for the yoke, on the face of the cylinder, and on the frame in the same location as shown above. There may be one more place that I can't recall without going to the safe. I finally realized the stamp shows an eagle head, but from the first time I saw it, it looked like a penguin to me!

The refinishing in nickel was apparently not done by the factory, but it was very well done. No evidence of over polishing or rounding of the side plate edges are seen by me. The trigger and hammer were also nickeled in the process. The original grips were missing when I bought the piece but everything else appears original except for the finish. Serial number on it is 99738 which I figure indicates a DOM in 1918. Mine has no flaming bomb stamp as is also shown in the pictures.

Any information and enlightenment about the Eagle Head stamp would surely be appreciated! Thanks ... and again, very nice, Kframe!!

 

[bettis1]

The best authority I know on the M1917 is Charles Pate in his book U.S. Handguns of World War II -The Secondary Pistols and Revolvers. Here is what Charlie has to say on the military inspection markings:

"Provisional inspection until approximately 5/18 - "S" on frame under yoke, back of cylinder and underside of barrel near serial number. Provisional inspection after approximately 5/18 - eagle head with inspector code on frame under yoke, back of cylinder and underside of barrel near serial number. Codes noted: S2, S3, S4, 21, S21, S23, 24, S24 and S34. Final inspection - no separate mark until approx. 6/18. Afterwards, eagle head with inspector code on left frame above rear trigger guard web. Codes noted: S1, S2, S6, S7, S9, and S21"

Bob

 

[Kframe]

kthom, thanks for the compliment, and no worries about asking your question in this thread.

I don't know any more about the eagle head (penguin, lol) and the number other than it signifies inspection by an inspector at Springfield Armory (the gov't armory, not the manufacturer known today as Springfield).

I'll have to look under the barrel on my 1917 to see if there is a stamp there as well, forgot to look.

I have heard that other makes/models of firearms, such as M1911's, were stamped up when they were armory refurbished.

 

[Rick_A]

It has a turn line...and can always be cleaned.

It's a nice example and great pics.

That penguin stamp is especially cool.

 

[g-dad]

I had to back and look at the 'penguin'.... Yep, it's a bird alright. It could go either way for me. The choice is yours!!!
Thanks for the pics. Good job!

 

[M2MikeGolf]

WOW! One of the nicest M1917s I've ever seen, Kframe.

I have always been a fan of the M1917. I bought one a few years ago in Germany and was forced to sell it, sadly (I could not bring it back to the US as it was considered "military surplus"). I was able to trade it on a NIB 547, though. However, I'd rather have that 1917. It's one of my favorite S&Ws of all time. I was amazed at how well it grouped and functioned; it was a '18 issued model as well, but looked nothing like Kframe's in terms of condition. I always wondered how it ended up in a German gun shop ninety years later.

 

[Kframe]

When I first bought this M1917, for a song, about ten years ago I had planned to shoot it, as I don't go looking for guns that I don't plan on using. But, once I started reading up on them, and seeing how nice mine really was once I got off the shelf grime, I decided it would be Queen of my safe.

My thought then, was that I'd pick up a 'cheap' Brazilian contract M1917, but pretty soon those became harder to find and more expensive as well.
So, although I have a bunch of full moon clips, they'll go unused.

Still keeping my eye out for a 'reasonably priced' M1917 that has hopefully seen more use/wear or one that someone has hacked on or buggered up.
Not holding my breath, though...

 

[Old Corp]

VERY nice M1917.
I happened upon a deal on a very nice M1917, a bit earlier version than yours. I am NOT typically a 'it's too nice to shoot' guy, but did put this one away, and obtain a beater M1937 Brazilian as my 'stand-in' shooter for it.
Hey - it works for me.....

Last pic is my 'beater Brazilian'

 

[kthom]

Bob,
Thanks very much for that detailed information. It is very helpful to me and I appreciate it.

Kframe,
You are welcome. Great photos of a great old gun! Thanks for allowing me to butt in ... and I confess I'm kind of fond of our "penguin" stamp on our 1917's.

 

[vonn]

Very,very nice . Makes you wonder how it managed all those years with out more signs of age.

 

[Kframe]

Very,very nice . Makes you wonder how it managed all those years with out more signs of age.

I know!
It makes sense that now, nearly 100 years after production, it is being valued and cherished as an almost mint collectors item, but through the 1920's and the following 20 years it was just war surplus and probably not considered anything special or something to be set aside for posterity.

Blows my mind, really.
Since this was made my grandparents married, my parents were born, grew, met, married, had me and now they're elderly, but this revolver looks like it could've been made last month.

 

[weatherby]

That's a beauty.....If your ever going to shoot it .....The right time will be in just a few years.

I'm picking up an older one shortly.

Luckily I already have ammo for it.

 

[sodacan]

To shoot or not to shoot is certainly a personal thing, but I have 1917 models from both Colt and S&W and I shoot them both. My Colt is slightly cosmetically challenged, but the Smith is very similar in condition to the one pictured. The Colt is a bit of a brute and built like a tank. The Smith is much more refined in finish and fit. It is really cool to shoot a piece of history.

 

[old&slow]

Oh My !!!
Normally I figure firearms are made to shoot and enjoy.
But, sir that is one that I would just have to look at and fondle !!

Thanks for sharing .

 

[Wiregrassguy]

kframe, your 1917 was made in May 1918.

 

[Kframe]

To shoot or not to shoot is certainly a personal thing, but I have 1917 models from both Colt and S&W and I shoot them both. My Colt is slightly cosmetically challenged, but the Smith is very similar in condition to the one pictured. The Colt is a bit of a brute and built like a tank. The Smith is much more refined in finish and fit. It is really cool to shoot a piece of history.

Oh My !!!
Normally I figure firearms are made to shoot and enjoy.
But, sir that is one that I would just have to look at and fondle !!

Thanks for sharing .

Thanks guys!
I've got plenty of other guns that see regular range time, so this one will remain as it is today - unfired by me.

Although, maybe for its 100th birthday, in May 2018, I'll break down and give 'er a workout.
As others have mentioned it does have a turn line and could be cleaned.
We'll see.