New to me 1917 with questions

[Store922]

Trying to figure what I have here. Grips say commercial, but all other markings say Army. No marks on back of grips or under them on frame. Markings and s/n indicate 1917-1919. What are your thoughts. Will ask for ship date but have used up my one for the week...

 

[hkcavalier]

Stocks are post WWII replacements. Originals would have been smooth service stocks.

 

[Heinz]

Nice gun. Big old N-frame in 45 ACP. The grips are replacements as noted. The proof marks and property stamps do not look washed out or sanded over, so that could be the original finish. Get a set of original grips and have fun with it.

 

[opoefc]

It will letter as a WW1 Military shipped Model 1917. As said above, a prior owner has replaced the original smooth walnut stocks with later commercial stocks. It looks like it's in nice condition. The small stamps are the Springfield inspector's and the US Army acceptance stamp. I suggest you look for a nice pair of original WW1 smooth stocks to return the gun to original appearance. Sales value of the commercial stocks should well cover the price of a pair of original replacements. Try Ebay. Ed

 

[handejector]

Do those grips have a serial number inside the right panel?

 

[Store922]

No markings at all on grips.

 

[StrawHat]

You have a nice example of the Model 1917. According to an online site for Model 1917s it shipped in June of 1918.

Get the original style grips if you want to but keep those Magnas and maybe add a grip adware r to make it more comfortable in your hand when shooting.

Something like this.

Kevin

 

[gmborkovic]

Is this the gun you could buy back in the 50s out of "True" magazine for $19.95?

 

[opoefc]

That "True" ad was by Klein's Sporting Goods in Chicago, as I recall. I bought a lot of war surplus guns from them, none priced more that about $20. They had a "sale" on 7mm Remington rifles, battlefield pick ups from Mexican revolutions. $7.95 ea and for another dollar, they would ship you two rifles ! What a deal ! My buddy & I scrounged up $8.95 and sent off for the rifles. They arrived shortly via US Post Office, unwrapped and the postage stamps stuck on the stock! Both guns were cocked and loaded !! The rounds in the chambers were corroded and probably wouldn't have fired. That was a different time ! Ed

 

[gmborkovic]

Ed, same memory. In 1959 ordered a Luger. Mom intercepted it at the mail box. Got it years later. Still have it. A nice commercial 30cal. I put that poor woman thru the ringer. She was a Saint.

 

[VM]

Those transitional Magnas with no serial are valuable by themselves.
IMO, $300+
A nice set of appropriate smooth walnuts will run one Benjamin

 

[jimmyj]

Refinished or not, non-original grips or not, its still a beautiful revolver

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Those transitional Magnas with no serial are valuable by themselves.
IMO, $300+
A nice set of appropriate smooth walnuts will run one Benjamin

[gulp] I just sold a set for $75...no wonder the buyer was happy...

 

[Muley Gil]

That "True" ad was by Klein's Sporting Goods in Chicago, as I recall. I bought a lot of war surplus guns from them, none priced more that about $20. They had a "sale" on 7mm Remington rifles, battlefield pick ups from Mexican revolutions. $7.95 ea and for another dollar, they would ship you two rifles ! What a deal ! My buddy & I scrounged up $8.95 and sent off for the rifles. They arrived shortly via US Post Office, unwrapped and the postage stamps stuck on the stock! Both guns were cocked and loaded !! The rounds in the chambers were corroded and probably wouldn't have fired. That was a different time ! Ed

I hope at least the safety was on!

 

[OFT II]

I hope at least the safety was on!

If the hammer was cocked it wasn't on safety.

 

[Muley Gil]

If the hammer was cocked it wasn't on safety.

I was thinking Mauser, but "hammer" probably meant Remington Rolling Block. At least most of those RBs had heavy trigger pulls; my .43 Spanish RB carbine did.

 

[Kinman]

Nice piece, they are terrific large caliber handguns. Back in the day a old timer I knew said his boss had a barrel of 1917's that sat on the end of his pistol/revolver case with a sign that read "Take your pick, make me an offer." My friend was the gunshop owner's smithy, he made a few nice revolvers out of that barrel in his spare time. He also took a few of them apart to repair working guns that were brought in from time to time, my 1917 was missing the swivel, he provided me with a nice swivel which came from that barrel.

 

[S.B.]

Nice example but, I personally prefer the 1937 Brazilian with the square rear notch in the frame.
Steve

 

[gmborkovic]

Have to agree with S.B. on the sight.

 

[VaTom]

Refinished or not, non-original grips or not, its still a beautiful revolver

Agree with JimmyJ. The revolver is over 100 years old. Think of how many of those that have not survived a century and even fewer in original condition. My 1917 commercial from around 1930 was refinished by a previous owner. I bought it at a local auction. All 5 serial #s match and grips are numbered to the revolver so I am happy with the low price I paid ($350 out the door). Great shooter.

To the OP. Check to see if all 5 of your numbers match. Barrel flat, on the inside edge of the crane, on the cylinder, back of the extractor star, on the butt. (I assume the military models had serial numbers in all five places. Someone correct me if I am wrong.)

Enjoy.