S&W 1917 Questions,Random thoughts,Value

[T112-4]

I have luckily acquired a shooter 1917 in about 85% condition. S/N 893xx from May 1918. Numbers match frame, cylinder, star. Not the barrel S/N 141xx About November 1918. Flaming bomb and 3 eagle inspector stamps. Frame eagle head, Cylinder eagle head S6, barrel eagle head S22.
I read that about 130,000 were used WW l out of the 160,000 some made. So the barrel changed later. Barrel probably not used WW l. Barrel blue slightly better than frame.
Grips have S/N in crayon and 43 on them. Gun reissued WW ll ?.
Value ?? Any thoughts are welcome.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Bill

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Hi Bill! Would you post some pictures so the experts can see the physical condition and markings on the gun?

 

[T112-4]

Will do. Barrel looked smooth until I started to get the lead out, still working on that, now rifling looks strong. Cylinder chambers are very clean.

 

[T112-4]

S&W 1917 Questions,Random thoughts,alue

 

[StrawHat]

Nice revolver! I have had or still have several with mismatching numbers. Not a big deal unless the revolver is otherwise 99%. For a shooter, no biggie! You have a basic Model 1917, 45 ACP, the forerunner of a long line of ACP revolvers manufactured by S&W. These were designed to shoot hardball ammunition and needed half moon clips to easily extract the empty shells. Ammunition within spec will chamber, headspace correctly and fire but the lack of a rim made extraction of the empties slow. S&W solved that with the design of the simple three round clip. Fast forward about 1/2 century and the full moon clip makes a strong appearance. It gained acceptance with revolver competitors going against competitors with 1911s and then gained prominence when Jerry Miculuk showed how it could be used. But, even in the hands of mediocre shooters, the full moon clip is a wonder. Clipping and un clipping cartridges is easily accomplished with proper tools.

In the mid 1920s, Peters Cartridge Company introduced a substitute round for the clipped ACP cartridge, the 45 Auto Rim. This is merely the 45 ACP with a rim wide enough and thick enough to function in the 1917 cylinder. Some prefer it, some don't.

Here is one of my Model 1917 with a mismatched barrel.

Kevin

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Many 1917 revolvers were surplussed off between the wars. While I don't know whether it applies to S&W M1917s but many Colts were provided to the Post Office Department after WWI for mail security.

When WWII began for the US the military stores of both make 1917 revolvers was inventoried and many were refurbished as necessary and sent for use by secondary troops…MP units…POW guards…units that didn't leave CONUS…leaving the M1911 for front-line use. That didn't mean many 1917 revolvers didn't find their way into front-line fighting. I've seen many photos of Marines on Pacific islands using 1917 revolvers clearing caves and escorting prisoners.

One sure way of knowing whether any Colt or S&W 1917 was refurbished for WWII issue is if it's been Parkerized.

 

[T112-4]

Thanks for taking the time to provide very interesting information. I like the look of the mismatched 1917. Waiting for better weather to get out to the range.

 

[DixieRanger]

"1917's for WWll parkerized". Didn't know. Grip forward WWl holsters were reworked to grip rear for WWII. Have 1920 Colt made Model 1917 with reworked date stamped 1918 original military holster with grip rear.

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[StrawHat]

…One sure way of knowing whether any Colt or S&W 1917 was refurbished for WWII issue is if it's been Parkerized...

I know very little about Parkerized finishes. Is there a way to tell if a revolver was redone by the Military as opposed to "Fred's Best Parkerizing"?

Kevin

 

[VaTom]

Thanks for taking the time to provide very interesting information. I like the look of the mismatched 1917. Waiting for better weather to get out to the range.

I think you will like the way the 1917 handles the 45 ACP recoil. Took mine out a couple of weeks ago when the weather was nice. I had not shot it in a couple of years, Picture is of 6 rounds at 18 yards single action with standard 230 grain FMJ.

Enjoy your revolver.

 

[DixieRanger]

1917 Colt made 1920. Holster dated 1918. Not parkerized.Holster redone for grip to rear as for WWI Can see holes from original grip forward as for WWI.
View attachment 617334View attachment 617335View attachment 617336

 

[DixieRanger]

Holster redone as for grip to rear as for WWII...

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[SnidelyWhiplash]

I know very little about Parkerized finishes. Is there a way to tell if a revolver was redone by the Military as opposed to "Fred's Best Parkerizing"?

Kevin

That's certainly possible but refinished firearms done by a U.S. arsenal will usually be marked by the arsenal that did it. Plus it makes little sense for Fred's Best Parkerizing to reduce the value of a 1917 by refinishing over the original finish…but admittedly that's today's thinking…in the past few cared about the value of original finishes when they simply wanted to clean a gun up or make it pretty.

 

[DixieRanger]

Dunno what happened to pics in earlier reply?

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[StrawHat]

That's certainly possible but refinished firearms done by a U.S. arsenal will usually be marked by the arsenal that did it. Plus it makes little sense for Fred's Best Parkerizing to reduce the value of a 1917 by refinishing over the original finish…but admittedly that's today's thinking…in the past few cared about the value of original finishes when they simply wanted to clean a gun up or make it pretty.

I remember when Model 1917s were in barrels and collecting dust, with a $30.00 tag on them.

Kevin

 

[DixieRanger]

Maybe paid to much $$$ for mine but with love of military firearms couldn't resist as with two Remington Rand 1943 1911's.

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