Offered a 1917

[Kinman]

How did you accomplish that hammer modification?

I did not do the work, I was in search of a King Cockeyed Hammer and one of our members offered me this one to try. Back in the day King manufactured an offset hammer, which makes it much easier to deliver a single action delivery. It does require a welding skill set above my present level, however it is not a difficult procedure for a practiced hand.
If I had to chose between this revolver and my 24-3 I think this one would win out, although .44 special is my favorite cartridge. I shoot .44 Auto Rim through most of my revolvers chambered for .45 ACP.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Good luck on your 1917. All of the big .45 revolvers of the Great War and WW2 are worth collecting and a hoot to shoot. I horse traded an original 1917 .455 NS for a altered [but not shaved] .45 acp 1919 RNWMP NS. Great revolvers.

 

[jonnyc]

I'm curious what the original early grips on this 1917 are worth. I just got a set of repros to reshape, as I didn't want to destroy a set of originals. The original grips might go a long way in financing the rest of the project modifications.
Any ballpark ideas appreciated.

 

[jonnyc]

A similar set just went for over $230 on Ebay. Mine are earlier, have the original screw, and have a penciled number, unlike the Ebay example, but that set was in a bit better condition. I'll post mine on the WTS Forum, priced accordingly.
Thanks all.

 

[Golddollar]

Welcome to the forum from a fellow Pennsylvania collector and shooter. I think that I paid $200 for my model 1917, but that was close to 50 years ago. As a kid I used to go to a gun shop in Collingdale, Pa and he had a 1917 in his glass case. I was amazied at how big the hole was in the bbl. Good luck on your search, and enjoy your time on the forum. One of the best around!

And welcome to the forum from another Pennsylvania collector and shooter. I acquired one of the Brazilian 1917 .45s when they were first being brought back to this country. It's a little scuffed up but it locks up like a bank vault. It is the primary defender of my person and home. What could the media say about a senior citizen defending himself with an 80 year old gun?

 

[JH1951]

............What could the media say about a senior citizen defending himself with an 80 year old gun?

Just give them a chance and I'm sure they will twist something to fit their purpose.

 

[Golddollar]

After searching and reading this forum and seeing the work of "danchamberlain", LesB, Iggy, and others...and considering I have only $300 into the pistol in question, I'm going the 'snubbie' route to match my Colt NS. I already have a matching S&W "Brazilian" and a nice Colt 1917 to enjoy, so this will work out just fine.
Here is my plan:
- cut the barrel to about 3.5 in. and re-crown
- move the original sight to its new spot (these two operations are being done by my local 'smith...keeping my fingers crossed!)
- minimal 'bob' of the hammer with cross grooves cut on top to allow continued S/A firing
- round and shorten grip bottom
- get and reshape already ordered repro grips to match new bottom contours
- already got BK "T" grip
- sell original early 1917 grips
- refinish
Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

If the gun you plan to customize is basically a train wreck, I would say go ahead with your plans. If it is basically a safe and working revolver in its orginal configuration, maybe my experience will be relevant.

By coincidence, the Brazilian 1917 .45 I have pictured seems to resemble what you are planning. I found it in an ad in Gun Digest and bought it on the premise that it might be a good carry piece. I have no provenance on it or evidence of who did the work but the work is excellent. The gun locks up like a bank vault and will shoot cloverleafs at 7 yards. The 1930s were a period of time where a lot of the military .45 ACP rounds had corrosive primers. I like to think that somebody took a gun with a shot out barrel and gave it a new life.

There were 25,000 of the 1917 .45s sent to Brazil. So there is a good possibility that there may be other specimens floating around that have been customized already. My "adoption" of one of them worked out pretty well.

 

[jonnyc]

Very nice. Interesting they went with the whole barrel replacement. I think I prefer the look of the cut-down original barrel with the small lug. Hopefully my 'smith will be able to do that with no problem. I can handle all the other mods.

 

[jonnyc]

Update:
- got new repro grips to modify
- sold original grips to collector who needs them
- got T-Grip
- barrel cut and crowned
Next step is for the 'smith to silver-solder the sight back in place. When that's done I can modify the frame and grip, decide what to do about the hammer, and refinish.
Yippee!

 

[ddixie884]

I'm waiting with bated breath!

 

[StrawHat]

Here is a couple of close ups of the front sight on the 4” Brazilian I own. A bit different from the 1/2 moon sight.

Kevin

 

[jonnyc]

OK, just back from the 'smithy! Here's my project to-date.

Now I can start on my contributions:
1. Shorten and reshape the grips.
2. Test fire and shorten the front sight to shoot POA.
3. Bob/Modify the hammer to reduce snagging but still allow some SA use.
4. Refinish.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I would pay $1500 for one. Really nice examples were $1200 about 5 years ago around here.

 

[jonnyc]

I should have waited to put the T-Grip on before I took the picks, but oh well. Off to the range tomorrow to see how low it shoots. Should be fun.
Any thoughts on the hammer?

I would like to bob it to reduce snags, but I would like to retain some SA capability. Have any of you been able to find a length or angle to achieve both goals?

 

[StrawHat]

I should have waited to put the T-Grip on before I took the picks, but oh well. Off to the range tomorrow to see how low it shoots. Should be fun.
Any thoughts on the hammer?

I would like to bob it to reduce snags, but I would like to retain some SA capability. Have any of you been able to find a length or angle to achieve both goals?

My EDC is an ACP revolver of some sort worn on my belt just behind my right hip. In three plus decades I have not had any hammer snag anything. My suggestion is leave it alone and see how it does. You can always chop, round, smooth, or whatever at a later date.

Kevin

 

[Abbotson]

I had kicked around the idea of doing something very similar without spending a small fortune. Now my small fortune is too small.

 

[Muley Gil]

I agree with Kevin aka StrawHat. Leave the hammer alone for now. Carry it and practice drawing it for a couple of months. I'll bet you'll be glad you did.

 

[austintexas]

I remember turning down a 1917 while stationed in France in '65. He wanted $10.00 and it had an ammo can of GI 45 acp. I thought it was to big and clunky. In '64 at Shooters Paradise in Shamokin Dam, Pa they had boxes of Luger's from $29.00 little finish to $69.00 mint. I was working at a factory manufacturing stereo equipment for $1.27 and hour.
SWCA892

 

[jonnyc]

1. Good advice on the hammer...I will postpone that decision while I get the feel for the pistol. And since that won't be part of any refinish it doesn't really affect any time-line.
2. At the range today, the first 6 shots were great! Aiming at the head at 25 feet, I got 6 shots in the heart. Looks like less needs to be removed from the front sight than I thought. Then the front sight flew off at round #7.
Back to the 'smithy tomorrow! Hopefully a quick and more permanent process!
ARGHHHH.

 

[StrawHat]

The front sight will need solder, braze or welding to keep it on during recoil. Glue will not do it.

Kevin

 

[jonnyc]

It was soldered.

 

[StrawHat]

It was soldered.

Apparently not well enough!

Kevin

 

[jonnyc]

True dat!
Dropping it off in about an hour.

 

[Miami_JBT]

NOt sure the SCSW is up to date with the military marked revolvers. Commercial models used to bring more back when you could buy a Military model for $400. Now they are $1200 and the commercials have not kept pace. I think the military revolvers rode the way of price increases with the 1911 autos.

They sure have. I got both my Colt and S&W for cheap, but that was before the sudden increase in popularity in the M1917 due to the resurgence in WWI popularity caused by C&Rsenal and The Great War.

 

[jonnyc]

Got it back today, with the front sight hopefully permanently attached!
Next some grip mods and some kind of a refinish.
To the range on Sunday!

 

[StrawHat]

Keep us in the loop, please. There are some 1917 junkies in the crowd. Myself included.

Kevin

 

[jonnyc]

Will-do! This is a gun I've wanted to "create" for a few years now.

 

[StrawHat]

…
Here is my plan:
- cut the barrel to about 3.5 in. and re-crown
- move the original sight to its new spot (these two operations are being done by my local 'smith...keeping my fingers crossed!)
- minimal 'bob' of the hammer with cross grooves cut on top to allow continued S/A firing
- round and shorten grip bottom
- get and reshape already ordered repro grips to match new bottom contours
- already got BK "T" grip
- sell original early 1917 grips
- refinish
Any thoughts or suggestions welcome...

So, the barrel was shortened to what length?

The hammer Bob has been put on hold.

Did you convert the grip frame?

Metalife or Armalloy are good finishes but not sure if either is still available.

Kevin

 

[jonnyc]

The barrel is now about 2 5/8", from muzzle to frame edge. Yes, not sure yet what to do with the hammer. Currently working on the grip frame, grip adjustment to follow. I did a little work on the front sight but will wait until the next range session for final work. Still not sure what my primary ammo/load will be. Probably just standard pressure FMJ.

 

[jonnyc]

Ok, done for now. Final sight adjustment waits for the range test. Still not sure about the future of the hammer. I will probably stain or seal the grips.
When I'm sure all is done I'll refinish it some cheap and easy way.
Thanks for all the advice and encouragement!