Not our usual 1917

22hipower

22hipower

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Sure would like to know the history on this one. It started life as a common military 1917 (SN 98896) and has the usual Springfield Armory stamps (eagle's head) on the cylinder and frame. Beyond those stamps there's not much left to confirm it as a 1917.

The barrel, probably a 1950 Army, has been shortened to four inches with a ramp front sight with Call gold bead and is stamped in the ejector shroud with the SN much as the factory would have done before 1957.

The butt has been rounded with the lanyard ring hole plugged and the SN stamped on the butt and on the side of the frame.

The hammer is an HBH from before WWII. A Wondersight peep sight has been installed.

The stocks are unmarked but were certainly completed by an accomplished stock maker. There is nothing on the inside of them to identify the maker.

The finish is a deep blue much like that on my factory finished ones from the late '50s/'60s. The large logo seems as crisp and sharp as those on factory finished guns.

I haven't shot it yet but the action is as tight as any I have and the peep sight and gold bead center as soon as the gun is pulled up to acquire a sight picture.

All in all, odd as it is, it's quite an incredible gun smithing project and I can't wait to shoot it. Maybe this week. If anyone has anything like it, or thoughts on how it came to be, or knows who the stock maker might be, please comment.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qniQPV https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qn769B https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qnqEcG https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qnpBAV https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qnqEd8 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qnpYmP https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qn5Kxn https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qn7r7U https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qn5Q1L https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
 
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Cool gun all the way around.
45 colt, nice grips,different sights what's not to like.

Does the hammer hit the sight ?
It looks very close in the pictures.
 
Last edited:
LittleAugieMo said:
.45 colt or .45 acp? No matter..would buy anyways!
Click to expand...

Good point, I should have made that clear. When I bought it I thought it was a 45 Colt based on the barrel stamp but it remains 45 ACP with the apparently original cylinder based on the SN being stamped on it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
That one just makes me smile. Someone knew what they wanted and executed their plan near perfectly!

The case hardening colors are spectacular! And a humpback hammer on a 1917? Very very cool!
 
Absolutely Exquisite, This gun is a real work of Art on many fronts. The collaboration of the end user & the craftsman (or men) involved display excellent communication between parties and gunsmithing skills of the highest order. This was a very nice find, whatever you paid I Don't think any of us could walk away from this gun after seeing or handling it.
I'm amazed at how well centered the lettering is, & the peep sight on the Wondersight. Was this done for long range pistol shooting?
Definitely one of the finest custom guns that I've seen on any forum, Thanks for sharing with us.
 
Please post a pic of the muzzle and the top of the frame.
Is the trigger grooved? Does it have a patent date?

Very cool gun. I think the Wondersight was added later. I'll bet it was intended as a fixed sight carry gun. If the guy building it had wanted adj sights, he would have added one while building it. ;)

That barrel is very puzzling. Can't be a 1950 Military barrel- they don't have shrouds. So, where did a non ribbed shrouded barrel in 45 Colt come from? Puzzling....:D
 
handejector said:
Please post a pic of the muzzle and the top of the frame.
Is the trigger grooved? Does it have a patent date?

Very cool gun. I think the Wondersight was added later. I'll bet it was intended as a fixed sight carry gun. If the guy building it had wanted adj sights, he would have added one while building it. ;)

That barrel is very puzzling. Can't be a 1950 Military barrel- they don't have shrouds. So, where did a non ribbed shrouded barrel in 45 Colt come from? Puzzling....:D
Click to expand...

I was thinking the 1950 Military 44 which has a shroud but you're right, of course, the 45 version doesn't. A 22-4 has a shroud but I would think this was built before those arrived.

There are no patent dates, nothing on the barrel except the front sight.

Yes, the trigger is grooved.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qnyCBB https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qnxArQ https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qnxVS9 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
 
Last edited:
Well, if the gunsmith that did all that beautiful work could not take the rib off a Model 1950 barrel, I would be shocked!

Here is one to which that the very thing happened. Second one down, in the white.

strawhat-albums-strawhat-3-a-picture26840-img-6650-a.jpeg


If they had used the barrel above it, the lettering would have been centered.

Kevin
 
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