Price check on a 1917

[Wheelgunner840]

Howdy folks. I was hoping that I could get a ballpark price on a commercial 1917. It is wearing Pachs, has no lanyard loop, no US military markings whatsoever. It is not even stamped 1917. It is in good condition retaining most of its blueing. The bore is very good with only very minor pitting in one small area. Left side of barrel is simply marked "S&W .45". The right side of the barrel is marked with only 3 capital letters "INA". It has a 4 digit serial number of 3XXX.

What would you say that it is worth?

Thanks,

WG840

 

[toroflow1]

Hard to guesstimate without a picture, but I'll say $450.

 

[gaucho1]

Hard to guesstimate without a picture, but I'll say $450.

If the action is clean and solid......Ditto

 

[DCWilson]

That's a low number, so let me ask if the gun still has features of early 1917 production.

Are the sides of the hammer radially grooved?

On the upper right corner of the left side of the frame (directly in front of the hammer), do you see the initials GHS?

Let me confirm that you are taking the serial number from the butt, and not from under the yoke where modern serial numbers are stamped. A four digit serial number will appear on two lines on the butt.

Even though the gun sounds as though it has been "anonymized" to an extent, it might still be worth a couple of extra bucks if it has the grooved hammer.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

DC, you are correct, I got the number from the yoke! There were numbers under the grip frame, but I did not write them down. Sorry folks, only have this bad cell phone pic. I saw no other markings on the gun such as GHS.

WG840

 

[DCWilson]

I see some rounded corners on the frame, and the stepped notch on the underside of the barrel that receives the large ejector rod knob is missing -- polished away, maybe, when someone ground off the "US PROPERTY" stamp from the underside of the barrel.

I have to say I don't feel real good about this gun. Even if it is just intended as a shooter, it feels just a little too overworked for my taste. A top price for this in my eyes would be $300-350 -- but as I say I would probably wait for an opportunity to spend more.

Does anybody know what the "INA" stamp is for? Is that a known importer?

 

[Wheelgunner840]

The part under the barrel that accepts the ejector rod was there, I just mistakenly laid the gun down on that stupid fluffy chair cover before taking the pic. I e-mailed a close friend and gunsmith the description and this pic, and he pretty much said the same thing that you have said. $300- $350 tops.

I do think that I will hold out for a military model with proper grips, lanyard loop, and all the markings.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question. Much appreciated.


WG840

 

[Jack Flash]

If that was in a gun shop in my area, it would wear a price tag of at least $400, probably more like $500. It would sell within a week or two.

The picture, what with the harsh light and the fluffy chair and all, makes it difficult (for me anyway) to say what I would be willing to pay it.

 

[Muley Gil]

IIRC, an INA marked barrel is a Brazilian made replacement.

 

[K.R._Rabbit]

Has the side plate been polished, is it possible this gun is a Brazilian gun that has had the crest polished off? It looks like the side plate is discolored where the crest would be to me.

 

[Dave T]

I always find the prices/values quoted here on the Forum of interest. They don't seem to reflect the real world, at least in my experience. I recognize there is some regional variance but I question if it is that much. Went to a small, local gun show this afternoon. Saw two 1917s. One was a Brazilian for $600 that wasn't all that clean. The other one was a military gun in about the same shape for $650. Neither seller would talk price. Where oh where are those $350 shooters?

Dave

PS: Almost forgot, one of the sellers above said he had a commercial...but I couldn't afford it. (LOL)