Question on this 1917 Modified to 3.5BBL & Hard Chromed

[686PC]

Hi folks,

I came across this modified 1917 which was hard chromed sometime in its past and had its barrel shortened to 3.5". Aside from the out of place hogue grips, I inspected it at my LGS today and its cylinder carries up and locks on all chambers when I put a slight thumb drag on its cylinder. I was surprised that a gun this old still had its timing working well.

The only suspicious thing I found is that someone appears to have ground off the flame cutting mark on the top strap. I never seen this before. Could it be that the smith who hard chromed chopped the barrel of this pistol did the grinding work on the top strap to hide perhaps excessive flame cutting?

Would you take a chance on this revolver with this ground off top strap at $549 for a fun shooter?

Below are some photos. Thanks in advance for your input. I collect mainly prelock smiths from the 80s and 90s and don't have a lot of experience with 1917s.

686PC

 

[JayCeeNC]

It's supposed to be there.
That football shaped divot is called a Fouling Cup and was designed to catch black powder fouling, as black powder cartridges were still in use at that time.

 

[Borderboss]

It's supposed to be there.
That football shaped divot is called a Fouling Cup and was designed to catch black powder fouling, as black powder cartridges were still in use at that time.

Really? My Brazilian model doesn't have that, but of course it was made later than the WW1 1917s.

686PC, I like the look on the gunsmith putting the half moon front sight back on it. However, with the shorter barrel, it's likely that the gun will shoot low with that sight. If you buy the gun, I wouldn't be surprised if the front sight needs to be filed down to get it to shoot point of aim. That will of course destroy the finish on the sight, so you'll need to touch it up with something.

 

[Frailer]

FWIW, here’s another example.



Value is always subjective, and this is especially true for guns like this one. That said, it would be hard to find an N-frame in good shooting order for less than $550.

 

[686PC]

Thanks for the insightful replies folks! Very interesting to learn that the divot is supposed to be there from the black powder era. I never heard that before.

Regards,
686PC

 

[shell627]

686 I have the same gun . Hard chromed barrel cut to 3 1/2 inches.With a carved holster and belt from member Keith 44 spec.It is a eye catching bbq gun.And it shoots well also.

 

[Kal.38]

I really enjoy this 4 inch in 45lc.
Based on help from the forum and its serial number.
It was a Canadian second model hand eject in 455 eley made around 1918 originally.

 

[Tom K]

Doesn't look like "hard chrome" to me - hard chrome is typically very similar in appearance to a stainless gun (and often fools people into thinking they have a unicorn "stainless" Model 58 or whatever). Looks to me like a run-of-the-mill average nickel refinish. That said, $550 is not a bad price these days for a chopped 1917 if the mechanics are all good.

Personally I'd want the LGS to remove the grips and verify that the original serial number is still on the butt. Sometimes they are pretty casual and will use the number on the underside of the barrel, or even the fitting number stamped on the frame in the yoke area.

 

[minconrevo]

Looks like ordinary nickel to me. Not the prettiest finish job, but likely works just fine. If the timing is good and the barrel is in good shape, should be a hoot to shoot. Been around a lot of hard chrome and this isn't HC. A pretty good idea to check the butt for the s/n just to be safe.

 

[stansdds]

That football shaped cut in the top strap was done at the factory. Both Colt and S&W M-1917's made for the U.S. Army have them. As to the finish, looks like nickel to me.