Refinish 1917 or not?

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I have a S&W 1917 I bought last year at a gun show for $300. The grips do not number to the gun. The finish is completely gone, if you look at the picture there are a couple flecks of blue on the cylinder and there are a couple on the end of the barrel. It has a grey bare metal patina.
I was wondering whether to get it refinished in blue or not. To my mind it is mainly a shooter (it does shoot fine).

What do you guys think?

 

[Iggy]

I would not refinish it. You would be wiping out the history that is the charisma of that old soldier.

It would be like taking a WWI vet and having him march in a parade in today's army uniform.. He wouldn't look or feel right and neither will that gun if it is refinished.

 

[Chubbs103]

Let me begin by saying I shoot all of my guns. I may get something particularly valuable someday and re-think that, but for now they are all shooters. As such, I expect a little wear. I think of it as character. I think your 1917 (which looks fantastic as it is) has a lot of character. As long as it shoots, I wouldn't change a thing.

That being said, if it would make it just right for you with a re-finish, then go right ahead. Keep in mind, it would impact any future collector value. Also keep in mind that the purpose of owning the revolver is the enjoyment it brings you.

Chubbs

 

[depicts]

I have a mint condition early 1917 with the grooved hammer and the same stocks as on yours. It's a beautiful, valuable gun. Your's is also a beautiful gun,, though it might not look as bright and shiny as mine. I can't tell you which is better, but I would like to have one like yours, that shows it's been used and can still shoot, then have it refinished and make it look new, which it isn't.

You stole that gun. Which end of it were you holding when you said you would "take" it??? *S*

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

The grey patina is what attracted me to it at the show, I kind of like it.
I worry about rust, and check it and my other 20 Smiths (and other non-Smiths ) monthly and wipe them down with "Barricade"
There may be a hint of it on the side plate, but it is hard to tell.

I like to shoot it.

 

[Iggy]

You refinish it and it will be too nice to shoot and you will lose the enjoyment you get out of it now.

Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I have a mint condition early 1917 with the grooved hammer and the same stocks as on yours. It's a beautiful, valuable gun. Your's is also a beautiful gun,, though it might not look as bright and shiny as mine. I can't tell you which is better, but I would like to have one like yours, that shows it's been used and can still shoot, then have it refinished and make it look new, which it isn't.

You stole that gun. Which end of it were you holding when you said you would "take" it??? *S*

LOL

I don't know who put the grips on the gun but they are too old for the age of the gun. It was made in Aug 1918.

I got lucky on it, he wanted $400 but too the $300 cash I offered. I have overpaid for so many guns it is good to get a deal once in a while.

 

[depicts]

Ben C, I've been watching the market for 1917s since I got my first one around here 5 years ago. I've seen lesser guns being sold for 7 or 8 hundred dollars, and not as nice as yours. Don't know if they sold. I would have jumped on that even at $400 after I first offered him a bit less *S* Congratulations neighbor.

 

[BoDog]

How tight is it , how well does it lock up? What does the barrel look like?
Does it make nice round groups? If it is all original it's not broken , don't fix-it.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

How tight is it , how well does it lock up? What does the barrel look like?
Does it make nice round groups? If it is all original it's not broken , don't fix-it.

It seems tight to me, as good as any of my 6 victory's, although my M28-2 is slightly tighter and my 686 locks up like a safe. The bore is good, no pitting, although i have seen brighter ones, this is not bad.
It is a gun I don't mind taking to the range, also it has a patina that makes it look parkerized to the untrained eye.
Having seen the guns on the 1917 thread there are some that look like mine adn they do look nice.

I think I am better off putting the money towards finding a third BPD (Boston Police Smith)
WTB: BPD Marked Smiths (or even Colts and Rugers )

 

[bmcgilvray]

I would look admiringly at your gun on a table full of similar guns but look disdainfully past a refinish.

You'll be sorry if you refinish it. Then you'll have to be picky about how you use it.

 

[WC145]

I agree, leave that one the way it is. I have one that was refinished long ago, at least once, I won't have qualms about doing it again. Yours is nice and original, that's what sets it apart.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

It's an otherwise nice clean military collectible, I'd leave it as is. I too believe it has tremendous character and appeal as it stands.

Cheers!

 

[JohnK]

I wonder how guns like this, lose nearly all their finish, without a single speck of rust on the gun.

It must have been used (a lot), but still lovingly oiled.

I wish it could talk............

 

[delta-419]

I have a lot of refinished guns in my accumalation of shooters and a lot that I will never refinish. The debate to refinish or not is something that I contemplate a lot before I ever refinish a gun. If it is a complete rebuild with accumalated parts I will usually refinish it as any collector will easily ID it as a refinish. I do it to preserve the design technology, feel, and look of old craftsmanship done by current experts. It gives the next generation of shooters a chance at the experience of an old shooter without degradating a prime colector's gun. Some of my guns have so much "charma" that no mater how they look I would never refinish. Some I have brought back to operational excellence and have not refinished. The call is always up to the owner. When I pick up an old gun and it feels right in my hands, it talks to me. Listen! Now, before the guys arrive with the butterfly nets, do what you feel is right! The old 1917s are great shooters, I have 4, one is refinished. I like them all.

 

[Timbo22]

That 1917 is perfect as is! Take care of it and shoot it as often as you can, but don't refinish it. I find the antique grey finish rather handsome.
I have a 1917 that someone abused by trying to remove rust with a wire wheel. I would much rather have had the rust than the scratched up surface that it now has. It has a good home now, though.

 

[Bat Guano]

That is one fine looking old warhorse just the way it is. I got to play with one like it back in the 60s and STILL don't have one of my own. I would rather have one like yours than one of the new retro ones any day.

 

[bnz43]

I was in the exact same position about 3 months ago. I purchased a S&W 1917 with serial # 20830. The barrel had been arsenal replaced some time in its life with serial # 164780. All the other parts matched except for the replacement grips. Really rough shape, a brown gun would be a good way to describe the condition. I stoned off the worst dents and dings on the frame, cylinder, and trigger guard. It was lightly bead blasted and parkerized a medium to light grey. The difference is amazing. The decision to refinish or not to refinish is best left up to the owner. I am glad I refinished the 1917.

 

[Anton Dee]

I have a S&W 1917 I bought last year at a gun show for $300. The grips do not number to the gun. The finish is completely gone, if you look at the picture there are a couple flecks of blue on the cylinder and there are a couple on the end of the barrel. It has a grey bare metal patina.
I was wondering whether to get it refinished in blue or not. To my mind it is mainly a shooter (it does shoot fine).

What do you guys think?

It is YOUR gun, you decide, but if it was mine; I'd keep it that way!
It has a story to tell, probably even more than one.
Refinshed it misses out on character and charisma?

 

[guzzi]

Purchased my 1917 25 years ago for 75.00, not one bit of blue on it, rust flecked cylinder and barrel, good bore. Glass beaded it and had it electroless nickle plated. Wish I would have just left it alone, now that the values are so darned high on these models..she shoots beautiful and is a joy to workout with. Talked to a noted gun engraver about stripping the nickle off and re-bluing it, told me to just leave it alone and play with it. Kids will end up with it anyway once I am gone and they can do what they want with it....