Snith & Wesson Model of 1917

[RWMC]

I just inherited my grandpas' S&W 1917 .45 D.A. revolver. It has seen use, but still has a very nice commercial grade blue/black finish. Corrosive ammo at one time was fired in it, due to the very fine light pitting in the bore and on the front of the cylinder face. The barrel, cylinder and frame all have the same serial number. On the butt of the grip is "U.S. Army Model 1917", along with the serial number 128,xxx. A lanyard swivel is also affixed to the butt of the grip. On the upper right corner of the leftt side of the frame is a flaming ordnance bomb stamp. Also on the left side of the frame, behind the trigger is a small eagle head with the number 37 under it. When you open the cylinder latch, there is another small eagle head with a s2 under it stamped on the side of the frame. The same eagle head with a S2 under it is also stamed on the under side of the barrel next to the frame. "United States Property" is also on the under side of the barrel. I was always under the assumption that these military revolvers should have had a matte or parkerized finish, not a nice commercial grade finish such as the one I have. I have seen reblued guns, and to the very best of my ability I can honestly say that this revolver is not reblued. If any of you happen to have info on what finish these revolvers are suppose to have, I would really appreciate it.
Were any of these factory refinished, and then reissued to troops or police? Any info you give will be appreciated.

 

[Dr.Who]

Just to give you an idea, here is some pictures of a Smith & Wesson 1917, produced in 1918, in 95% condition based on apprasial 10 years ago. It has the smooth military grips. It is ready for a cleaning, but it will give you an idea and may answer a few questions. Hope the pictures work!


By the way this piece has been passed down in the family as well.... I'm the current caretaker... It is nice shooter as well! However, I shoot my 625 more.

 

[Smurfslayer]

Lucky Devil

I just inherited my grandpas' S&W 1917 .45 D.A. revolver.

Let me be the first to proclaim I HATE YOU Might as well add envy and some other synonyms...

ok... I feel a little better now. And I take bake the hate you comment, but not the envy. That is a superb piece, congratulations.

 

[loplop]

Congrats, that's super cool.

Dr. Who... That is one amazing piece, wish I could find a WWI 1911 in that condition

 

[plexreticle]

Kick ass fighting handgun even by today's standards.

 

[Dr.Who]

Thanks,

I have been toying with finding a Colt version in that condition.... Kind of a matched set.....

Believe it or not, it also came with a 1911 produced in 1918 from the San Francisco armory and a 2nd edition Colt offiers model .38 with pearl grips produced in 1914. The model 1917 is the nicer of the 3.

 

[Liberty1776]

RWMC - I'm sorry to inform you, but it is not legal for you to own that gun in Iowa... if you would give me your address, I could drive down Saturday and remove it to Minnesota so that oncet again Iowa will be safe for old people, puppies and little childrens...

All I will add is that my (since sold) 1917 is at the top of the short list of guns I wish I'd never sold and would do anything to have back again...

 

[22-rimfire]

West Point graduates this year have the opportunity to purchase a special production of the Smith 1917 revolver at a very reasonable price. Really nice!

 

[RON in PA]

1917 Smiths were originally manufactured with a blue finish not quite as polished as a commercial finish. Many were reconditioned in WW2 with a parkerized finish.
Your 1917 appears to have the original blue. Great guns.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I just wanted to say that from your description of the gun, you were the right person to inherit and appreciate your gun. Sounds like your grandfather had an interesting life.

 

[earplug]

A lesson for all of us

Buy and hold quality firearms.
I'd hate to pass a cheap firearm down to my grandson.

 

[RWMC]

Thanks to all for the information and kind words. When I go to gunshows, I am always saddened when I see "estate" guns for sale. To me it says, no one else in the family showed intrest in the hobby of the deceased, and the only thing the relatives saw in the heirlooms was their exchange value in green-backs, or, that the deceased didn't care to take the time to introduce a child, grandchild, or even the neighbors kid to the history/hobby in which he was involved. Greed and selfishness will both lead one down to the end of the same dead end road. May none of us here on THR be guilty of either.

 

[ryan b]

as the last part ofyour question about refinished and issued. YES is the answer I have in my collection 4 of them 2 are stamped us property with 2 also haveing police markings 1 is stamped RCMP for royal candian mounted police and one is stamped with a police department but i am not sure who all are marked us proprerty tho 3 are smith's and one is a colt.

 

[Richard]

Dr.Who, nice gun but it needs fancy grips. You should go out and buy nice grips for it now! Why? You can then send those pristine but ugly factory grips to me. Again, why? The factory grips are worth $150+ and I am not kidding. Regards, Richard

 

[Dr.Who]

Richard,

Thanks for the offer, but I'll be keeping this one original......