Questions about the M1917 revolver

[TaylorRatliff]

Hello everyone, I stumbled across what looks like a Smith and Wesson M1917 revolver. I was not able to handle it since the only employee behind the counter was helping another customer and I was in a crunch for time. However, I noticed that it was a polished blued finish with what looked like magna style checkered grips and missing the lanyard loop. They were asking $899, and my big question is how reasonable do you guys feel that price is for a presumably reblued M1917 with magna grips and no lanyard loop? I know it is pretty much impossible to give a good idea of what it is worth without good photos, but I would like to hear your initial thoughts on the basics I just described. Hopefully, I can go back there within the next couple of days and take some pictures and see if they are willing to even haggle out any kinds of prices. However, in the mean time, any and all information that you guys could instill in me within the next couple of days about these revolvers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[sodacan]

Any determination of value would be guess without photos. The serial number is important as well. For a plain military 1917 that is refinished, that price is high.

 

[mh51]

A correct 1917 with 90% finish, matching numbers, and correct stocks just sold tonight for $995.00 on Gunbroker. Hope that gives you an idea of a reasonable offer for the one you saw.

 

[Texas Star]

If you didn't examine it, how do you know it's reblued? Could be a late commercial one with those grips. Prewar or postwar Magnas?

The missing lanyard ring is an issue,though.

At this point, we need more info and probably, good, sharp, large photos.

 

[VaTom]

Not an expert by any means but value would depend on whether it is a US Military one, a Commercial one or a Brazilian Contract one. I do believe the Commercial ones bring a premium over the other two. I have a Commercial one that I bought a couple of years ago at local auction with original matching checkered grips. Military models should have smooth grips. The one I bought was refinished which lowered the value which didn't bother me as I got a good buy on a great revolver. I understand that a refinish can lower the value by as much as 1/2. The Commercial model has the small S&W logo on the left side. The Military one does not. See the picture for what a Commercial model (1929) looks like. Numbers matching in all five places is a factor in value also. Barrel, yoke, cylinder, back of ejector star and frame

 

[TaylorRatliff]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I cannot confirm that it was reblued (I am just assuming since the revolver looked like it had postwar magnas on it and no lanyard loop). I believe the revolver had postwar magnas, but then again, I could be mistaken since I was also glancing at other smith and wesson revolvers with postwar and prewar magnas on them. I will try to go up there tomorrow (30 minute drive) and get many clear, crisp photos and look it over as much as possible so we can come up with a better idea of what this is worth.

 

[murphydog]

With a polished blue finish and Magna stocks (if both are original), it could be a fairly scarce post-WW II 1917 Transitional. Look for a serial number in the 210,000 range, possibly with an S in front of it.

 

[TaylorRatliff]

Ok murphydog, will do.

 

[moralem]

Consider this, no matter how much info you get here on value of the gun it really is not going to enable you to drive the price of the gun down to 500-600 dollars. I suspect if it is not a correct gun you might get it down to 700 dollars. They aren't giving these guns away and how often do you see one in a gun or pawn shop. I have been looking now for years for one that I can see and handle and the prices here in Texas are over 1000 bucks. The Colt 1917 I have but the SW remains elusive at a sub 1000 mark. Go look, take some cash and if you can get it for 799 or less I would buy it.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Taylor, you probably already know this but pre-war magnas have larger medallions and sharp pointed border corners around the checkering as opposed to post war. The finish on a commercial gun is a very deep blue that often reflects images like a nickel gun would do. If it is a commercial 1917 or a transitional gun, snatch it quick before someone else does.

 

[stu1ritter]

This is my 1917 Army post WWII - transitional (as the SCSW calls it). This one does not have the S in the serial number and has never been drilled for a lanyard ring. The serial number range for those made after WWII is 209792 up to 210782 and mine is 210151. Sights by who knows who? If the gun in the store is one of these, it has more value than a military model. A photo would really help.

Stu

 

[TaylorRatliff]

I will get photos for you guys as soon as I leave the mechanics. Hopefully, I will come home with a new revolver to add to my victory model and pre victory model revolvers.

 

[sodacan]

I will get photos for you guys as soon as I leave the mechanics. Hopefully, I will come home with a new revolver to add to my victory model and pre victory model revolvers.

You should post the photos and provide the relevant information to the forum members would offered help before you buy it. Take advantage of this valuable source of information.

 

[TaylorRatliff]

Ok so here are some of the pictures I was able to get. I have more so bare with me as I upload more. It looks to be a commercial 1917 and everything matches except the non serialized grips and crane has a different serial number. More pictures to come momentarily...

 

[TaylorRatliff]

Here are more pictures. Sorry for the poor lighting since the place is kinda dim inside and my phone's flash isn't the best. Just a few more pictures to come...

 

[TaylorRatliff]

Just some up close pictures of the finish. I think it it might be original (my non-expert opinion) since it is nice and deep blue and I can see reflections in it.

 

[TaylorRatliff]

Last but not least, these are all of the pictures that I was able to get of it.

 

[moralem]

Based on that serial number that is a military 1917. Offer them 700. I doubt they will go lower but it does look like it has some finish issues.

Military versions should not have the SW logo on it. But I am no expert.

 

[moralem]

It should have US property on the underside of the barrel.

 

[TaylorRatliff]

There was no "United States Property" marking on the bottom of the barrel. There also wasn't a flaming bomb or other marks on it. So a model 1917 revolver with the serial number 177,447 was a military gun? Please excuse my lack of knowledge on these, but I am just trying to learn as much as possible about these as possible before I spend any money. The last thing I want is buyers remorse on a gun that I spend $700+ on.