New 1917 Army

[mdmorrissey]

Picked this up recently and wanted to share. Looks to me to be a very nice early 1917 Army. All matching from what I can see (believe the two numbers on the inside of cylinder strut are inspector's numbers) - butt, inside grip, extractor, cylindere and barrel. I am not too versed on these, but believe it is an earlier one with the grooved hammer. Thoughts and comments would be appreciated.

 

[mdmorrissey]

more pix showing the details

 

[mdmorrissey]

final pix of the details

 

[Modified]

That's so gorgeous.

I was kind of suspicious of it from the first picture, which is why I just edited my post. That's about as good an example as anyone could ever hope to get. Man alive that's a nice find.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! That one has been in a time capsule. Nice catch!

 

[mdmorrissey]

Thanks to you both. Yes, I was pretty happy and lucky on it. It sat on an auction for nearly a week without any interest. The photos were horrible and description misleading (made it sound like there was quite a bit of wear). One night I was bored and so began to photo shop the pictures and understood that it had the early grooved hammer. I just couldn't see the wear that the seller was talking about and so with all of that being said, took a chance on it.

 

[Hondo44]

Bravo, that's truly a screamer. Nicer than 99% of the 1917s we see.

And completely correct and original!

The numbers in the yoke are assembly #s and match the 3rd location inside the side plate. The letters are inspector stamps.

The serial # will be found in 6 locations including the right stock you showed.

Did anyone bid against you?

 

[Targets Guy]

Verah nice indeed!

 

[RSinOR]

1917 Army

That is the most beautiful 1917 I have ever seen. Congratulations on such a fine purchase.

 

[les.b]

Very nice!! Good for you. You were able to see beyond the auction description and poor photos. That is indeed a beautiful gun.

Best Regards, Les

 

[mdmorrissey]

Thanks to all for the positive comments. So here is the funny thing. As I said, it sat on auction for about a week with a buy-it-now of $849 with no takers. After seeing that this had the grooved hammer and what appeared to be correct parts, I hit the BIN. I am not huge into these but thought that it was a decent price given the fact that it was an early one. It does have honest, light high edge wear in spots (just how I like it as it means it didn't sit in a desk it's whole career), but is way better than the 85% which the seller stated.

 

[Hondo44]

You sure didn't pay too much and I believe somewhat less than it's worth.

 

[Jack Flash]

You got a good one for a good price. It has all the highly desirable early features. I checked and found this about your revolver:
The year of manufacture for serial number 6561 is 1917. December

 

[mdmorrissey]

Thanks again to all!

 

[KEN L]

THAT is a beauty! Most likely shipped Dec 1917. A nice early piece. Congratulations!

 

[Frequent Flyer]

Congrats, that is beautiful. I have a S&W 1937 Brazilian Contract that has become my favorite revolver. Accurate. Fun to shoot!

 

[gharrod]

You done good; that's a beautiful piece. I got one at a gun show a couple of years back from a private seller. It was in its original 1917 holster and had spent the years since WWI in the bottom of a heavily loaded trunk in the original owner's attic. The holster fit around it like the leather had been poured over it. All those years in contact with leather had eaten away most of the original blueing, but it functions perfectly and shoots dead-on-the money at 25 yards.

 

[1-1917]

I have one in similar condition but a later model, I shoot the Brazilian and store that one. That is really nice for an early model!

 

[DonHoo]

M1917

final pix of the details

Thanks for the great photos. I'm still looking for one but all have been in very used shape. Now I know what to look for!

 

[raljr1]

Some of my best buys were auctions with lousy pictures....good job and a very nice 1917.

Robert