Need help with valuation on a M1917

RANDERSON

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Hi all, been mainly a lurker for a while, but would like to tap the experts here on a M1917 that came into my life.
 

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Your M1917 appears to be a nice example of its type. As mentioned above it is a fairly early gun with the desirable concave grips and the GHS inspector marking (for Major Gilbert H. Stewart). It appears to have most of the original blue finish. You should verify finish originality and that all serial numbers match including the right side grip (pencil numbered). Assuming that is the case, I believe you would make a very quick sale at $800 mentioned above; I know I would be very tempted to buy at that level or maybe even a little more.
 
Your M1917 appears to be a nice example of its type. As mentioned above it is a fairly early gun with the desirable concave grips and the GHS inspector marking (for Major Gilbert H. Stewart). It appears to have most of the original blue finish. You should verify finish originality and that all serial numbers match including the right side grip (pencil numbered). Assuming that is the case, I believe you would make a very quick sale at $800 mentioned above; I know I would be very tempted to buy at that level or maybe even a little more.

Thank you! The right-side grip does have the matching serial number --VERY hard to see in a photograph, but it IS there. I also shot the frame grip both sides, as it's my understanding if it's "refinished" they stamp it with an R --I'm NOT an expert obviously, but felt you guys could tell.
 

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I'd say with matching s/n stock it's worth at least $1000, maybe as high as $1200 to the right collector/buyer.

I've seen folks pay $1200+ for similar if not slightly lesser examples, but folks like that tend to be the exception to the rule and not the norm.

But yes a cheaper sub-$1000 price would most likely yield a quicker sale...….but for a collector/buyer looking for an all-matching somewhat early-featured example in vg'ish condition $1000-$1200 should not be considered completely unreasonable considering what I have seen them go for.

Just my $.02,
Dale
 
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You said that you "overpaid" for it, and you helped a friend who needed cash. You really didn't overpay if you did something noble - which you did.
I would agree with the previous posters that if the bluing is original and the numbers match, you'd find it selling rather quickly at $800.
 
I'd say with matching s/n stock it's worth at least $1000, maybe as high as $1200 to the right collector/buyer.

I've seen folks pay $1200+ for similar if not slightly lesser examples, but folks like that tend to be the exception to the rule and not the norm.

But yes a cheaper sub-$1000 price would most likely yield a quicker sale...….but for a collector/buyer looking for an all-matching somewhat early-featured example in vg'ish condition $1000-$1200 should not be considered completely unreasonable considering what I have seen them go for.

Just my $.02,
Dale

Thank you Dale!
 
You said that you "overpaid" for it, and you helped a friend who needed cash. You really didn't overpay if you did something noble - which you did.
I would agree with the previous posters that if the bluing is original and the numbers match, you'd find it selling rather quickly at $800.

Thank you, I appreciate that.
 
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Thank you, I appreciate that. It was the right thing to do for sure, as he's a vet in need. But I really DO NOT need a M1917 in my life, LOL.

Something tells me you are going to be receiving a few PMs.

As a M1917 collector if I didn't already have 2 examples in the same s/n range with the exact same similar features I would probably be one of those PMs.

That being said the more I look at your example the more I like it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, it is a very nice representation of a somewhat early M1917.

Of course the earliest examples had the concentric grooved hammers in addition to the concave top grips and superimposed GHS initials that your slightly later s/n example exhibits.

Dale
 
Bought It for My Collection

Pistol has all matching serial numbers (frame butt, barrel flat, yolk, extractor and pencil on right grip) and shipped 2/1918 according to Roy. No markings as to return to factory. GHS on frame and S on barrel after serial number. A time capsule it seems.
 
Pretty Gun. Does anyone know how much a pair of those original grips would go for??? The gun I have coming has a set of reproduction service grips on it and I'd like to get a set of the originals
 
$800-$1000 would be the range if you were selling retail, walk into a gun store and you might get 70% of that.

I bought an extremely nice 1917, for a tad more last year. If you were selling, I'd be interested. I've never had the least interest in owning the Colt version.
 

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