Seeking info on 17-4

[Elfbarktea]

I was lucky enough to acquire a decent gun collection but I am completely new to revolvers. I’ve done my best to search on my own but there is a lot I don’t understand. A Reddit user pointed me here and I’m hoping you all can help shed some light on this!

What I know:
6” barrel

Behind the yoke-
AFB0463 listed above model (transfer paperwork says this is the serial number but it isn’t located in either place the sticky thread said to find it)
MOD 17-4

On the yoke-
C11
6X861

Any additional information at all would be amazing, especially the year it was produced. Thank you!

 

[Truckman]

The serial number, AFB0463, should also be found on the bottom of the grip frame, seen after you remove the stocks......Ben

 

[Yendor357]

Please put some 3 in 1 oil on that poor thing. It is starting to rust.

 

[Bosquebass]

The true serial number is on the bottom of the grip frame. The grips will have to come off to see it. But in any case that revolver is from around 1980 give or take a couple years either way.

 

[JP@AK]

An AFB serial number should be from 1984. The 17-4 was made from 1977 until 1988.

By 1984, the serial number is likely to be in only two locations: the yoke cut and the butt. As Bosquebass stated, you will see the number when you remove the target stocks. It should match the one on the frame in the yoke cut.

 

[Hawg Rider]

An AFB serial number should be from 1984. The 17-4 was made from 1977 until 1988.

By 1984, the serial number is likely to be in only two locations: the yoke cut and the butt. As Bosquebass stated, you will see the number when you remove the target stocks. It should match the one on the frame in the yoke cut.

Welcome to the Forum! Yep, JP@AK is correct in that your Model 17-4 was manufactured in 1984...but it's difficult to say when it actually shipped from S&W. Up until 1982, the 17-4 would have had a pinned barrel which many Forum members believe to be a more desirable feature, but you still own a very nice and desirable revolver. Do you have the original cardboard box and goodies? It does need a good cleaning and some TLC to remove surface rust (remove the wood stocks first). Here's a Model 17-3 (ca. 1968) with a pinned barrel just for reference. All the Model 17s are extremely accurate and excellent target and varmint revolvers...take it out and shoot it! Enjoy!

 

[H Richard]

For it's first good cleaning I recommend a penetrating oil, like Kroil, and saturate a heavy "paper" towel, shop towel, etc. and gently wipe the surface, let sit then do it again a and maybe a 3rd time. You don't want to scrub hard on the finish. When it is about as free of rust as may get, put a couple drops into the action from in front of the trigger, and cock the hammer and put a couple drops in there. Work the action a few times.
You might then use a LITTLE bit of Flitz on a soft (T Shirt) cloth and gently wipe it down a couple of times to get any remaining rust or crud off. Always remember, don't rub hard.