S&W 1917: Santa Came Early! [Now with Images]
Actually, this is more than a Christmas present. (See this post for other revos I had been contemplating.)
It is a comination...
Guy Fawkes Day
Anniversary
Birthday
Christmas
Valentine's Day
...present. (My wife & I go for one big present each year as opposed to several smaller ones.)
I have seen few enough of these old warhorses since I first learned to lust for one. Yesterday I saw two that were in the best shape I have ever seen...owned by the same guy. He was willing to sell one to me.
I found all mechanicals to be tight & performed the revo check as instructed, to the best of my ability (unless the timinig was really off, I don't know that I'd be able to detect bad timing). I was worried about the bore, but it just had not been cleaned since it was last fired (the guy I bought it from had never fired it in the seven years he owned it). It cleaned up shiny, bright, & sharp.
The metal finish is really good. I would rate it as 95%+. Some wear on the cylander leading edge. And a little off at the muzzle. No rust. IME, it looks like just a small bit of holster wear.
The grips are great, with only a few small chips out of the bottom.
This revolver spent very little time in a holster, given the wear on the finish, and has been fired seldom. I saw no buggered screws and no signs of ham-fisted cleaning damage.
This S&W 1917 was shipped in 1918.
I will take some pics this PM and post.
This will be my second WWI sidearm. It will accompany my Webley MK VI (which, in the distant past, had be converted to .45ACP/moonclips).
Oh, this is also my first large frame S&W. I think I'll have to get another one, someday. The large frame feels pretty good & balance in my hand.
$750 OTD.
I have a question for you S&W large frame guys. What is the best resource to get for proper disassembly/reassembly? I am specifically interested in some sord of hardcopy instructions. A recommendation on appropriate screwdrivers or any specialty tools would also be appreciated.
Actually, this is more than a Christmas present. (See this post for other revos I had been contemplating.)
It is a comination...
Guy Fawkes Day
Anniversary
Birthday
Christmas
Valentine's Day
...present. (My wife & I go for one big present each year as opposed to several smaller ones.)
I have seen few enough of these old warhorses since I first learned to lust for one. Yesterday I saw two that were in the best shape I have ever seen...owned by the same guy. He was willing to sell one to me.
I found all mechanicals to be tight & performed the revo check as instructed, to the best of my ability (unless the timinig was really off, I don't know that I'd be able to detect bad timing). I was worried about the bore, but it just had not been cleaned since it was last fired (the guy I bought it from had never fired it in the seven years he owned it). It cleaned up shiny, bright, & sharp.
The metal finish is really good. I would rate it as 95%+. Some wear on the cylander leading edge. And a little off at the muzzle. No rust. IME, it looks like just a small bit of holster wear.
The grips are great, with only a few small chips out of the bottom.
This revolver spent very little time in a holster, given the wear on the finish, and has been fired seldom. I saw no buggered screws and no signs of ham-fisted cleaning damage.
This S&W 1917 was shipped in 1918.
I will take some pics this PM and post.
This will be my second WWI sidearm. It will accompany my Webley MK VI (which, in the distant past, had be converted to .45ACP/moonclips).
Oh, this is also my first large frame S&W. I think I'll have to get another one, someday. The large frame feels pretty good & balance in my hand.
$750 OTD.
I have a question for you S&W large frame guys. What is the best resource to get for proper disassembly/reassembly? I am specifically interested in some sord of hardcopy instructions. A recommendation on appropriate screwdrivers or any specialty tools would also be appreciated.
Last edited:
