Whats the correct finish on a 1917?

[EDELWEISS]

I have a couple of new shooters that Id like to dress up a bit. Someone before me had a lovely time "tarting" up their 1917, but now its mine. They nickled the hammer, trigger, cylinder and latch. Now, Im sure the old girl was the hit at many Bar-b-ques, but her "make-up" is starting to peel. Id like to dress her up in her original outfit, but honestly Im not sure what that should be.

She stamped US 1917, but Im not sure what finish was original. Since Im spending money to have the nickle stripped, Im willing to give her a make over. As far as my ignorant eyes can tell shes been parted together so I dont THINK??? Im spoiling any collector piece. This is more for me and to tell my kids about the kind of guns their great grand father carried in the war before Pokemon...

Ive found prices vary according to how much polish is requested and Im willing to spend what it takes to make her look young again, but Im not trying to make her look new. I just dont know what is period correct.

Any suggestions.

 

[EDELWEISS]

I have a couple of new shooters that Id like to dress up a bit. Someone before me had a lovely time "tarting" up their 1917, but now its mine. They nickled the hammer, trigger, cylinder and latch. Now, Im sure the old girl was the hit at many Bar-b-ques, but her "make-up" is starting to peel. Id like to dress her up in her original outfit, but honestly Im not sure what that should be.

She stamped US 1917, but Im not sure what finish was original. Since Im spending money to have the nickle stripped, Im willing to give her a make over. As far as my ignorant eyes can tell shes been parted together so I dont THINK??? Im spoiling any collector piece. This is more for me and to tell my kids about the kind of guns their great grand father carried in the war before Pokemon...

Ive found prices vary according to how much polish is requested and Im willing to spend what it takes to make her look young again, but Im not trying to make her look new. I just dont know what is period correct.

Any suggestions.

 

[reddogge]

I'm assuming you're talking Smith& Wesson here. They were a polished blue with case colored hammers and triggers. Stocks were boiled linseed oiled plain walnut.

 

[James57]

I have read many times that the finish on the 1917 was the regular commercial S&W blue which was quite nice by todays standards. The Colt on the other hand was not polished up to commercial standards and was not quite as nice as the S&W. This had been the case with the 1917's and 1917-1937 models that I have owned. There are far more knowledgeable people on here than I and they should be along soon.

 

[lonewolf]

Go read my post under the "Is it my imagination"..... thread as far as the type of finish on 1917's.

There ARE some "parkerized" 1917's out there that were done during a rebuilding/refinishing program in late 40's, early 50's, mostly by Augusta(GA) Arsenal(look for the AA mark) that, if NOT further "messed with", are sought after by military collectors.

SOoooo many of these 1917's, in BOTH flavors, have been refinished, recalibered, customized of the years, that it is very confusing to those who don't recall what the originals were like when thousands were sold as surplus by dealers in late 50's-mid 60's, mostly by "mail order". Depending on dealer, time period, and condition, prices were between $25-$35 !

Bud

 

[EDELWEISS]

Thanks guys! I was thinking a mid to high grade blue would look nice. Im not even too concerned about having the blemishes removed, they show charactor. Actually Im not trying to make it look new, but rather like she was a WW1 constant companion and well loved but carried ever since. If you'll forgive the continious comparisons, Id like her to look like they way my long passed grandfather used to remember his bride 50 years later.

You see, Im just old enough to remember when Uncle Sam issued weapons made with steel and wood grips. Those were the days when bullets were big soldiers were heroes!

 

[Pisgah]

If you're going for the original finish, it will indeed be a high-grade, high-polish commercial finish. I have my Grandad's WW1-issue S&W 1917, still in about 90% condition, and the finish puts many of today's guns to shame.

 

[dsf]

Originally posted by Pisgah:
If you're going for the original finish, it will indeed be a high-grade, high-polish commercial finish. I have my Grandad's WW1-issue S&W 1917, still in about 90% condition, and the finish puts many of today's guns to shame.

I agree on putting modern finishes to shame, but I wouldn't call it a high polish in the Smith & Wesson product line. I'd say somewhere above the Model 28 finish and similar to the Heavy Duty. And much better than the Colt 1917. Viewed side by side the S & W 1917 looks like it's intended for the commercial market while the Colt defintely has a military bound look.

 

[ultramag44]

Originally posted by lonewolf:
There ARE some "parkerized" 1917's out there that were done during a rebuilding/refinishing program in late 40's, early 50's, mostly by Augusta(GA) Arsenal(look for the AA mark) that, if NOT further "messed with", are sought after by military collectors.

Yes! I have a beautiful, light grey parked 1917. The arsenal must have replaced the barrel, as there is no stampings on the barrel flat.

 

[Richard]

I am pretty sure the early 1917s had a commercial blue and the later ones came with a matte finish. I may be wrong but that is what is in my head. Regards, Richard

 

[reddogge]

That's correct. All were built in commercial blue and then some were re-worked at an arsenal and parkerized for WW2 usage.

 

[handejector]

The earliest 1917's have a very nice finish, but it is slightly BELOW the high polish of the period. If you don't agree, simply lay any NICE Triple Lock, or even a NICE 455-2nd Model beside a 1917 and compare. Even the early 1917's do not have an equal polish to those guns. A post WW I Commercial 1917 makes the military guns look a bit drab. The 1917 finish cannot be called the "commercial blue" of this period.
As the war progressed, the Gov was not happy with production rates, and actually seized the factory- "nationalized" it! You will see a slight decline in polish on the later guns.