Won this rusty locked up S&W 1917 snubbie at auction yesterday

Bill_in_fl

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2012
Messages
220
Reaction score
141
Location
Hudson, Fl.
Just won this cut barrel S&W 1917 .45 acp revolver at an online auction yesterday. Description said it is locked up, not operable and not to be shot in this condition (Uh...duh).




It is obvious from the under barrel lug locking pin sticking forward in the lug under the barrel, that the cylinder release is stuck in the OPEN position. Haven't received it yet, but when it arrives and I get it from my dealer, it will be immersed into a pan of Kroil penetrating oil for several days. Then I'll use a dental pick to clean as much as I can get to, and work on it until I can get it to release the cylinder. No doubt I will completely disassemble it and go over everything with a fine tooth comb (so to speak).

Once I get everything operating correctly I will sand and buff to remove all pits and corrosion and then back immersed in the oil it will go until I can get it to someone who does a really good job on hot bluing. I have a friend who knows someone locally who can do a really good hot tank blue job on it. No considerations needed regarding buffing and refinishing towards collect ability with this little rust bucket's current condition.

The only hard decision I have to make is if I want to put another barrel on it or make my own 1917 looking front sight and simply torch solder that onto the existing cut barrel (if the rifling is good) to make a snubbie like someone I know called Buckeye's S&W 1917 .45 acp snubby below.....

408.jpg


At first I was thinking I'd like to have a 5 & 1/2 inch barrel like it came with originally, so it would be kind of a match for my S&W 1917 commercial model below...
2567374250099763970S600x600Q85.jpg


But now I'm wondering if maybe I'd like a snubby and just get another full length barrel 1917 when I see another good deal.

I'm fully aware of the special tools needed to remove the barrel, wherein you shouldn't use a hammer handle on the frame to turn it off the barrel for fear of bending and ruining the frame. I know to put a replacement full length barrel on it that I need to either cast my own plastic halves for fitting to the frame to hold it securely to unscrew it from the barrel, or else get to a COMPETENT gunsmith (emphasis on COMPETENT) who has those special frame insert tools.

So what do you fellas think? Replace the barrel with a full length replacement or make a half moon front sight and solder it on the snubby barrel and keep it that way? Decisions decisions.




.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
That's a sweet snubby 1917 you've got there cgt4570
Looks like it turned out great to me too.
I like the little round ring you replaced the original lanyard loop with.
Any problems with replacing the barrel?


.
 
Last edited:
Very neat piece. Reckon the barrel decision could turn on the condition of the existing metal, including bore. I would tend to leave it at current length, and add sight, as you have suggested.

Please keep us in the loop!

Regards,

Dyson

Yes, I was also thinking my decision would be predicated on the condition of the rifling. I will keep y'all in the loop as to its restoration progress when I start on it.


.
 
Just won this cut barrel S&W 1917 .45 acp revolver at an online auction yesterday. Description said it is locked up, not operable and not to be shot in this condition (Uh...duh).

2208717290099763970S600x600Q85.jpg


2671763880099763970S600x600Q85.jpg


It is obvious from the under barrel lug locking pin sticking forward in the lug under the barrel, that the cylinder release is stuck in the OPEN position. Haven't received it yet, but when it arrives and I get it from my dealer, it will be immersed into a pan of Kroil penetrating oil for several days. Then I'll use a dental pick to clean as much as I can get to, and work on it until I can get it to release the cylinder. No doubt I will completely disassemble it and go over everything with a fine tooth comb (so to speak).

Once I get everything operating correctly I will sand and buff to remove all pits and corrosion and then back immersed in the oil it will go until I can get it to someone who does a really good job on hot bluing. I have a friend who knows someone locally who can do a really good hot tank blue job on it. No considerations needed regarding buffing and refinishing towards collect ability with this little rust buckets current condition.

The only hard decision I have to make is if I want to put another barrel on it or make my own 1917 looking front sight and simply torch solder that onto the existing cut barrel (if the rifling is good) to make a snubbie like someone I know called Buckeye's S&W 1917 .45 acp snubby below.....

408.jpg


At first I was thinking I'd like to have a 5 & 1/2 inch barrel like it came with originally, so it would be kind of a match for my S&W 1917 commercial model below...
2567374250099763970S600x600Q85.jpg


But now I'm wondering if maybe I'd like a snubby and just get another full length barrel 1917 when I see another good deal.

I'm fully aware of the special tools needed to remove the barrel, wherein you shouldn't use a hammer handle on the frame to turn it off the barrel for fear of bending and ruining the frame. I know to put a replacement full length barrel on it that I need to either cast my own plastic halves for fitting to the frame to hold it securely to unscrew it from the barrel, or else get to a COMPETENT gunsmith (emphasis on COMPETENT) who has those special frame insert tools.

So what do you fellas think? Replace the barrel with a full length replacement or make a half moon front sight and solder it on the snubby barrel and keep it that way? Decisions decisions.




.

I always loved projects like this. The Stags alone are worth a few hundred. CONGRATS!! :D
 
I guess a lot would depend on what you end up with when you get it and have it operational. If the bore and/or chambers are a total mess, you may have to replace both barrel and cylinder.

If everything is usable, I might be inclined to just properly crown the barrel, put a proper-looking front sight on it, and call it a day. As the Cajunlawyer says, a bit of initial shooting will tell more the tale. It is not hard to improvise some sort of front sight which will last for a dozen shots or so and tell you more about what you have there. ;)

If those stocks are in fact plastic, they are darned convincing-looking! Look like the real thing to me.
 
Last edited:
If the barrel and cylinder are good, I'd keep it a snubby. Lots of promise in that old revolver.

Charlie
 
Get it to working first then go to the range and see how well you can shoot it without the front sight-instinctive style-you might be surprised.

Good idea, I'll do just that. Only I don't have to go to a range, I can shoot it on my property as I live in the country on acreage.


.
 
If those stocks are in fact plastic, they are darned convincing-looking! Look like the real thing to me.

You know I thought the same thing. Although the auction description said they were plastic, I think they look very real too. Variations in the coloring unlike most plastic grips. Sure would be nice when I get it to find out that the description was wrong and they are truly stags.


.
 
It looks like it's locked up because the ejector rod has unscrewed, binding against the locking lug. Use a scrap of leather and plyers to see if the ejector rod will screw back in some. It's standard right-hand threads.
 
It looks like it's locked up because the ejector rod has unscrewed, binding against the locking lug. Use a scrap of leather and plyers to see if the ejector rod will screw back in some. It's standard right-hand threads.

Thanks I'll try that when it comes in. It also could be crud under the cylinder release button jamming it in the forward release position.



.
 
I saw that one and was real tempted to bid. I've got way too projects underway to get another one! Best of luck!
 
I would lean towards keeping it short, but with a front sight installed. Something like a 3" barrel should be very handy.

Conversion to a snub is something to think about if I get a chance to pick up another .45 HE.
 
I vote for a snub. That is some serious stag on that gun!
 
Back
Top