Smith Wesson 1917 45 ACP

[StrawHat]

Regarding the hammer. Parts got dumped Ina bin. As the revolvers were being built, the assembler would grab handfuls and try them until one fit with the least amount of handwork. As more parts got dumped in the bin, the older stuff gets buried. It stays there until someone uncovers it.

Kevin

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun. It is an earlier one, with the GHS (Gilbert H Stewart) inspector's stamp on the left upper rear frame and the dished upper stocks. The earlier grooved hammer noted above is seen to about SN 13000 and these stocks to about 26000, as I recall. Enjoy!

 

[larryofcc]

Mine is unused. # 6929. Has the flat stocks, and the grooved hammer. GHS inspected. I put it, and all the accoutrements, in a shadow box and hung it on a wall in my gun room. Do not intend on shooting it. It's a collectors prize. Big Larry

 

[Old Corp]

I was fortunate to get one from a friend at about 1/3rd the going rate some years back. Ship date February 1918. Hardly a mark on it and is the only 'safe queen' I own.

This actually MADE me buy a very 'shooter grade' Brazilian M1937 as a 'stand-in shooter', so even though I got a great deal, it caused another gun purchase.
Yours looks great.
M1917 and M1937 shown below.

 

[71vette]

Very nice! I've got an '18 shipped one myself. It's got British proofs and is a joy to shoot. I've got Sambar stocks on it but saved the originals.

 

[JH1951]

With respect to the 1917, here is something that was quite abundant when I was a teenager, but we all threw them away or threw them in bonfires to watch them cook off. Afterall, they were corrosive junk surplus with no value.... I wish I would have saved a few more. They are quite scarce these days, and the price somewhat astronomical....

 

[diyj98]

I need that 1917…

jaestridge, I couldn't return your PM because your inbox is full.

 

[jaestridge]

I'll clean it out..

 

[sodacan]

1917 revolvers are really fun shooters. The S&W is a much more refined gun in terms of finish and mechanics. The Colt is purely utilitarian. The finish is "interesting" and it has a tractor pull double action. It's a beast. It is very cool to shoot a piece of history. Pictured are both, in their totally original states.