"New" 1917 to break a dry spell - Pics added

[FinnMike]

Been almost two months since my last Smith.....
Found a VG-Exc. 1917 with grips and lanyard ring, all matching today. Excellent bore and charge holes, just a trace of pitting ..:-( .. at the front of the cylinder at three of them. Otherwise the finish was a great bright blue, with a scratch here and there, very slight muzzle wear, a light turn ring, and a little thinning on the back strap. The inside of the right grip had E.V.Bottom 42" scribed into it. SN 80,0xx.
So - who was E.V. Bottom?

Mike

 

[FinnMike]

Been almost two months since my last Smith.....
Found a VG-Exc. 1917 with grips and lanyard ring, all matching today. Excellent bore and charge holes, just a trace of pitting ..:-( .. at the front of the cylinder at three of them. Otherwise the finish was a great bright blue, with a scratch here and there, very slight muzzle wear, a light turn ring, and a little thinning on the back strap. The inside of the right grip had E.V.Bottom 42" scribed into it. SN 80,0xx.
So - who was E.V. Bottom?

Mike

 

[Jack Flash]

Very nice looking M1917. Would you mind posting the price you paid?

I wish my dry spells were only two months.

 

[azmick]

you will find that gun tagging along to your range every trip. fun to shoot, gets strange looks from the under 30 crowd

 

[Coosa1]

Very nice gun FinnMike ! I picked up a 1917 at a local gunshow this weekend also. I am finding it a very fun gun to shoot . I have shot it with half moon clips, auto rims , and regular autos. It is not quite as pretty as yours, and has virtually no finish left on the grips. I however have found that it is not quite as accurate as some of my 44's, but just as fun to shhot and handles VERY well. Enjoy it .

 

[FinnMike]

I have a 1917 Brazilian that goes to the range once in a while - people always come over to see what is going Boooom!. Most folks never heard of one. This one came home for $700, Jack. Too nice to pass up. And I will shoot this one too!
Mike

 

[j38]

That's a good-looking old war horse! I think the price was a good one from what I've run into around these parts. Congrats and thanks much for the post.

Regards,
Jerry

 

[Kamerer]

Congratulations, that is a very, very nice looking gun. The blue looks outstanding.

 

[44wheelman]

FinnMike, thanks for posting pics(and price too!). I have been looking for one, and I am having a difficult time with price & condition. I sold one a few years ago 50% for $400, regretted it as soon as I sold it.

Shortly thereafter I was able to buy a Colt 1917 45DA for $400 in the 60%-70% condition. Now that I want a Smith to go along with, I am having tough time finding anything in the $500-600 price range, yours was certainly much nicer than anything I have seen for $700.

 

[azmick]

Now that I want a Smith to go along with, I am having tough time finding anything in the $500-600 price range

i like it when people think like that. leaving perfectly good shooters like the Brazilians for the rest of us at a big discount

 

[Jack Flash]

That price is not bad at all for such a nice looking M1917. Congratulations!

 

[bigjack59]

The M1917 is so much fun. I found this one for $400 and am way too proud of it. Yes I know the grips are ugly, and don't know who or how it got plated, but the late job is fantastic and it makes one giant boom. Heck it is even pretty accurate! Got a period M1909 repro holster for it and am considering what type of gri pto go on it. Any suggestions? Be kind I love this crazy pistol.

 

[rchall]

I saw one of these 1917's at Cabela's last week. It was in excellent+ condition with the original
lanyard and bill of sale from 1919. If memory serves correctly it was something like $20. It was in
a Smith box, but it was a newer one. The price was around $1800.