S&W 1917

[mpapo86]

Hey everyone. I just acquired what I believe is an S&W 1917 but it doesn't have the U.S. Army markings that a lot of others do. I have done some research and it appears to be a commercial version, but it has an interesting stamp on the yoke. Can anyone shed some light on what the history of this gun might be and its condition? Also, it looks like someone might have re-blued this gun. 1. Is that reversible?? 2. How does that impact the gun's value (percentage wise)?

Thanks!

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

Very nice!
You have a commercial version of the 1917 Army, military model produced in the 1920's based on the stocks with no medallions. These are not plentiful.

It is refinished because of purple cyl and blued hammer and trigger and is reversible because it is not overly polished like most, but the loss of value is not.

The Eagle head with S2 underneath in the yoke is a military inspector's stamp. You may also find one on the barrel.

Commercial models were made on military surplus frames and with some barrels, cyls, etc., as well.

 

[Tom K]

....Also, it looks like someone might have re-blued this gun. 1. Is that reversible?? 2. How does that impact the gun's value (percentage wise)?

Refinishing is not reversible. A refinished gun has 0% original finish and will never have its original finish again. You can make it look more like it originally did by having the trigger and hammer re-case colored, or replace them entirely. Any money put into it now is not going to add any collector value.

Enjoy it for what it is, a nice looking shooter.

 

[ACORN]

Nice looking revolver. If it were mine and I was going to sell it, I wouldn’t take less than $450.

 

[shouldazagged]

Very nice. I'd leave it alone and shoot it.