UPDATED: MORE pics - Bought a 1917..have a few questions. Date of mfg...etc...

[ChargerBill]

​

Hand Ejector
Smith & Wesson 45
U.S. Army Model 1917
5 screw sideplate
No S&W logo stamp on sideplate
Lanyard ring
5.5 in barrel (I believe)
Has bomb stamp/logo on left side of frame in upper right corner above cylinder
Serial: 74XXX
United States Property (under the barrel)

I just paid for the gun, didn't take any photos.


Curious about what year it was manufactured.


I know a few of you might to say I paid too much, but I like the gun, lockup is tight, no end play in the cylinder on the cradle, barrel alignment is perfect, cylinder spins freely without slop. The trigger is stiff, but I'm guessing that may be a characteristic of these guns? I paid $380, but it's nickel plated, so it has no collector value…just a shooter. I didn't think the price was bad considering I can now shoot 45 acp through a revolver, which IMO is kinda cool. The guy who owns the gun shop owns about 500 different guns, mostly older collectibles, and at least 50 of them are revolvers. He did admit that the collector value was not there, but he was a little baffled at the plating because he said it looks like they plated a brand new gun, as though it was some sort of presentation gun. The gun shows no signs of damage prior to plating…no corrosion, pits, or scratches. I may want to get a history on it just out of curiosity….

I will post pics once my 10 day wait is up, but what is also odd is that it has the old plain military grips and someone put 4 small horizontal notches in it. Likely a past seller just trying to raise the price by raising intrigue and making it look like something it is not, but I may never really know.

Curious if it at least seems like a decent price for a gun I want to shoot? Also wondering if there are any limitations to the type of ammo I can run through it? (I won't run any +P) Or any well known 1917 issues I should look for before running ammo through it? (other than normal safety issues and making sure it is functioning properly)

 

[Major 2]

" I know a few of you might to say I paid too much "

I don't believe I WOULD ! $380 ? Heck that's a lot of ACP fun for the $

 

[merl67]

Any shootable N frame is worth that and then some depending on how well the nickel is done I doubt it was done at the factory, but I suppose you never know. Were the hammer, trigger, and ejector star nickle plated too? Any standard velocity 45acp or 45 auto rim will be fine.

 

[ChargerBill]

The ejector star was not, but the face of the cylinder where the moon clip makes contact was plated. I don't believe the hammer was either. The trigger might have been as I don't recall seeing color hardening, but I really don't recall. Once I saw the price and knew the collectors value was gone, I wasn't completely concerned with the small details.

Based on the gun shop owners opinion only, he thought it might have been done by Smith & Wesson because none of the stamp marks have been filled, polished down or lost...they are all crisp and clear.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Your 1917 was made in July 1918. You underpaid by at least $300 even with the plating, IMO. I may even have one like it.

 

[merl67]

Based on the gun shop owners opinion only, he thought it might have been done by Smith & Wesson because none of the stamp marks have been filled, polished down or lost...they are all crisp and clear.

Someone may have simply wanted it nickle plated there may have not been anything wrong with the blued finish. If so no polishing would be required.

 

[ChargerBill]

Your 1917 was made in July 1918. You underpaid by at least $300 even with the plating, IMO. I may even have one like it.

Yep, that's what I just bought.

 

[ChargerBill]

Someone may have simply wanted it nickle plated there may have not been anything wrong with the blued finish. If so no polishing would be required.

That would make sense.



While I will still look for an unmolested original, I am excited to go out and run a few moon clips through mine. I have .45 acp in spades, and I haven't been able to find .44 mag, .357 or .38 at decent prices lately. This way I can satisfy my desire to shoot a wheel gun and not kill the wallet doing so.

 

[mscampbell2734]

ANY functional handgun under 500 right now, much less a 1917, is a steal. Good job

 

[ChargerBill]

I just found out that this gun had to clear DROS from the seller before I can start my paperwork. Already paid in full but can't do anything until July 10. It's like waiting in the maternity ward….

 

[StrawHat]

DROS?

Kevin

 

[mikeruns]

Cool revolvers…I am one of those weirdos who buys a holster knowing what goes in it, but not owning the gun that goes in it….I have one that a 5" 1917 will fit and it is on my list….��

 

[sodacan]

The 1917 guns are really special. Pretty cool to shoot a piece of history. Yes, the trigger pull is heavy, but that would characteristic of a military revolver. I have both Colt and S&W models. The Smith is a much more refined gun in terms of fit and finish. The Colt has a tractor pull double action. They are fun range guns with standard 230 grain ball ammo. I would never consider shooting any other. 45acp revolvers are very addicting. I also have a 1950, 1955 and a 625-2. The latter was a real step out for me since the others so are much older. Consider getting a BMT moon clip tool if you shoot a lot. You'll wonder why all revolvers don't use moon clips after you experience using them.

 

[ChargerBill]

DROS?

Kevin

Maybe that's not what it is called. I know that as a buyer I have to pay a DROS fee of $42.95 as part of my 10 day wait in CA. Basically the gun has to clear DOJ in case it's a gun that is in the system as a gun used in a crime or stolen or illegally owned. Damn Commifornia…

 

[Muley Gil]

DROS-Dealer Record of Sale

Regulations: DROS Entry System | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

 

[JH1951]

Congratulations on your purchase, ChargerBill. Considering the climate today, you seem to have come across a very good deal. I am certain that you will enjoy shooting your 1917; I certainly enjoy shooting mine. I am not aware of anything you should be concerned about with respect to the 1917. If it is mechanically sound, you should be in good shape to go to the range. I shoot several of them, and moon clips are not necessary (take a pencil with you in case any casings stick in the cylinder). If you start looking for a nice collector grade piece, solicit input on the forum before grabbing your wallet. There is a lot to learn about them.

 

[Heinz]

I assume you know the ejection will function better if you load the 45 ACP into half-moon clips. I do not know if full moon clips work or not. I bought plenty of half-moon clips.

 

[JH1951]

In mine, full-moon, 1/2-moon, and 1/3-moon clips all work well.

 

[BC38]

In mine, full-moon, 1/2-moon, and 1/3-moon clips all work well.

Same with both of mine.

$380 for a functioning 1917 would have been about a $100 discount BEFORE pandemic pricing in my area anyway.

Currently, that's almost a half-price sale. Nickle or no nickle, even aftermarket. I'd buy one like you describe in a heartbeat and almost feel guilty for getting it at that price.

Looking forward to the pictures and the range report.

 

[StrawHat]

Maybe that's not what it is called. I know that as a buyer I have to pay a DROS fee of $42.95 as part of my 10 day wait in CA. Basically the gun has to clear DOJ in case it's a gun that is in the system as a gun used in a crime or stolen or illegally owned. Damn Commifornia…

Sounds like an additional tax to me.

Thank you for the explanation.

The Model 1917 is a friend of mine, I have a few. The old models all get shot with hardball or equivalent hand loads. The newer stuff, Model 22-4 and stainless revolvers have all been shot with heavier hand loads.

Kevin