There are no markings on the grips.
S&W 1917 Modified Grip Frame
- Thread starter sass2924
- Start date
There are no markings on the grips.
I think I see some numbers, glare is kind of interring with a clear pic. Anyway, I still like the gun, mainly because there is a heck of a back history and story.
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Uh ow, I don't see a serial #.
Might have to use one of these to see the #:
1. This can be done with nitric acid, or "nicodate" sold in coin shops. After application, the # will magically appear. It's actually exposing the compressed metal from the stamping appear in a contrasting darker gray to the surrounding metal.
Is this a legal serial number?
2. Fry's reagent "serial number restoration fluid."
FRY'S REAGENT RESTORATION FLUID - 2 OZ Development of new reagent for restoration of erased serial number on metal plates - ScienceDirect
Where to buy: fry's reagent where to buy - Google Search
Might have to use one of these to see the #:
1. This can be done with nitric acid, or "nicodate" sold in coin shops. After application, the # will magically appear. It's actually exposing the compressed metal from the stamping appear in a contrasting darker gray to the surrounding metal.
Is this a legal serial number?
2. Fry's reagent "serial number restoration fluid."
FRY'S REAGENT RESTORATION FLUID - 2 OZ Development of new reagent for restoration of erased serial number on metal plates - ScienceDirect
Where to buy: fry's reagent where to buy - Google Search
How's it feel on the hand?
Lets not jump to conclusions about the Sn. on the butt. We have seen one pic. The owner has not said if it does or does not have a Sn.
This is the OPs first post.
This is the OPs first post.
The photo of the gripframe and the butt speaks volumes…
That's a serious issue with the ATF.
"...speaks volumes..." ! are you kidding? You are basing your statement on a few lousy pics from a cell phone? Neither one of us has physically viewed the gun in hand. Im not saying I can see the Sn., but Im not saying I cant. The post is open to a lot more pics. I would like to see the yoke, under the barrel, back of the cyl, and side plate off. You have to admit there is a neat back story.
I'm not kidding at all…
The serial number on the butt is obliterated/gone.
I'm intrigued by the modifications and like the gun, but I wouldn't buy that at any price. IMO, it's simply not worth the risk. I have no desire to play BATFE games.
I'm only stating my opinion and you're entitled to yours.
I'm done...
The serial number on the butt is obliterated/gone.
I'm intrigued by the modifications and like the gun, but I wouldn't buy that at any price. IMO, it's simply not worth the risk. I have no desire to play BATFE games.
I'm only stating my opinion and you're entitled to yours.
I'm done...
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Pig Hunter
Member
If you look at the first set of pictures it appears there is an extension that covers the butt also.
StrawHat
Member
I don't see what you are stating. I do see the bottom of the grip frame appears thinner than on my N frames. The distance from the spring slot or the grip pin to the bottom of the frame is less than on any of my N frames.
Clearer photos would help. Or a comment from the O on whether the serial number is or is not there.
Kevin
Baltimoreed11754
Member
I do not believe the butt flat is covered. I do believe the serial number is missing from its original location. Prior to the GCA of 1968 a serial number could be legally moved from its original location. If that was done the moved serial number would be a legal number.
Is the number somewhere else.
I do believe that is one of the oddest things I have ever seen done to a grip frame.
Is the number somewhere else.
I do believe that is one of the oddest things I have ever seen done to a grip frame.
50 target
Member
Well......as we hear so often about Smith & Wesson " never say never" and certainly just when we think we've seen it all we haven't. Interesting that in all of that metal work and my hat is off to whoever, that he would mix the screws up on the side plate, dome and flat. Metal work and refinish of the frame is very nicely done not to mention the quality of the stocks.
All in all very impressive.
All in all very impressive.
Modified
Member
Dang, I go on vacation and a super interesting gun pops up.
First off, everyone talking about the defaced serial number; We haven't seen the other side of the frame. I've handled a lot of guns with such modifications to the butt where the serial number was removed. In most cases I have seen the S/N still stamped on the frame somewhere. Presumably by the law savvy modifier who didn't want to run afoul of the G-men. But who knows. With S&W putting the S/N in so many places someone along the past line of owners could have done it.
That said, I have also picked up a number of gunshow guns, removed the stocks, and found the defaced serial number was just not present on the frame at all...
If it isn't on the frame; I do recall someone on the forum here going through the process with the ATF to do it properly and legally and it being remarkably painless. Not sure where that thread is.
As to the gun itself:
As mentioned it does look something like a job that was done to my gun:
Roscoe, the Triple-lock, has arrived
The article in my thread is particularly apropos here I think. There was obviously some line of thought in days past that the rolling action of plowhandle style grips was preferable. At first glance I would say that is what was being attempted here with this 1917.
Personally I think it's glorious. And ridiculous. Which I find very endearing in guns. I'd be one of the masses who would love to own it. Assuming of course that S/N is stamped somewhere on the frame, or that was sorted out with the ATF.
Edit:
Been a long day, just finished a road trip with a 1 year old and a 4 year old. Couple more things:
The front sight is upgraded, would guess maybe something was done to the rear sight too?
The flat screws are interesting on the sideplate. Not sure if the modifier made them, or repurposed them, but at first glance I would have thought that the rear screw at least was a post war flat screw for use with Magna grips, and that the front screw was maybe the same? Except that if my brain is working correctly that screw would be different, and should never have been flat in any model.
In any case, if they are factory screws they may be useful in dating the modification.
Additionally, removing the sideplate may result in further information. I wouldn't be in any way surprised if this gun also has action work done to it. Heck, sometimes people doing modifications like this would engrave their name inside the gun somewhere. Although usually that would be on the frame for ease of access, in at least one case I saw it done on the inside of the sideplate.
First off, everyone talking about the defaced serial number; We haven't seen the other side of the frame. I've handled a lot of guns with such modifications to the butt where the serial number was removed. In most cases I have seen the S/N still stamped on the frame somewhere. Presumably by the law savvy modifier who didn't want to run afoul of the G-men. But who knows. With S&W putting the S/N in so many places someone along the past line of owners could have done it.
That said, I have also picked up a number of gunshow guns, removed the stocks, and found the defaced serial number was just not present on the frame at all...
If it isn't on the frame; I do recall someone on the forum here going through the process with the ATF to do it properly and legally and it being remarkably painless. Not sure where that thread is.
As to the gun itself:
As mentioned it does look something like a job that was done to my gun:
Roscoe, the Triple-lock, has arrived
The article in my thread is particularly apropos here I think. There was obviously some line of thought in days past that the rolling action of plowhandle style grips was preferable. At first glance I would say that is what was being attempted here with this 1917.
Personally I think it's glorious. And ridiculous. Which I find very endearing in guns. I'd be one of the masses who would love to own it. Assuming of course that S/N is stamped somewhere on the frame, or that was sorted out with the ATF.
Edit:
Been a long day, just finished a road trip with a 1 year old and a 4 year old. Couple more things:
The front sight is upgraded, would guess maybe something was done to the rear sight too?
The flat screws are interesting on the sideplate. Not sure if the modifier made them, or repurposed them, but at first glance I would have thought that the rear screw at least was a post war flat screw for use with Magna grips, and that the front screw was maybe the same? Except that if my brain is working correctly that screw would be different, and should never have been flat in any model.
In any case, if they are factory screws they may be useful in dating the modification.
Additionally, removing the sideplate may result in further information. I wouldn't be in any way surprised if this gun also has action work done to it. Heck, sometimes people doing modifications like this would engrave their name inside the gun somewhere. Although usually that would be on the frame for ease of access, in at least one case I saw it done on the inside of the sideplate.
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dsf
Member
The grip frame configuration looks oddly familiar to me. Can't quite put my finger on it. Kind of a Merwin-Hulbert meets Remington pocket pistol but not quite.
I obtained a gunsmithing FFL in 1977. In the first several books of regulations that I received from BATF, it was stated that a gunsmith could remove a firearms serial number provided it was stamped somewhere else on the frame first. Later editions removed that stipulation.
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