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Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The Barracks => Topic started by: Silver Creek Slim on April 21, 2018, 02:49:56 PM

Title: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on April 21, 2018, 02:49:56 PM
There is a S&W 1917 at the local "toy" store. Is it worth the price? Or should I look for something else?
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/765372896

Slim
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Major 2 on April 21, 2018, 03:53:11 PM
I can offer my 2 cents....

A couple of years ago a Hispanic woman brought her deceased husbands 45 ACP Brazilian contract in to my friends FFL.
She wanted to consign it with a price of $1000 ... it had been professionally refinished ( allegedly by S&W themselves ) could be ?  it was quite nice, with new walnut N frame coke bottle grips.
Nice as it was, $1000 was too steep in my opinion ....being refinished & Brazilian contract dating it and the grips being totally wrong.
I considered $650-700 as fair if not a bit generous to the widow  :(
There was no provenance the revolver was anything other than her husband's prized refinished possession , he was not a Brazilian Generalissimo or Colonel or any other such notable.

I was not alone in my opinion and after a few other offers,  "she" decided to pull it off consignment.  

Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Baltimore Ed on April 21, 2018, 04:16:29 PM
Slim, imo that's high for one as rough as that. I don't have a 1917 smith or colt but have several of both  in .455 British and rechambered to .45 lc. How long has he had it ? If he's local wait for him to relist it on GB and see if he'll deal. The longer he has it the less valuable (to him) it becomes. Of course you dont know what he has in it. Unless it has an immaculate bore, chambers and a great action I wouldn't go over 450.00. Usually if they're that rough on the outside the insides are rough too. Good luck.
The Brazilian guns used to be less valuable and less desirable than the US guns. Nowdays though with GB inflating gun prices like it has l don't know.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Drydock on April 21, 2018, 05:32:08 PM
I'd wait for it to time out, then make the guy an offer.  I might go $500 on it, because I think this is one of those guns that look worse in pictures than for real,  some of those flash shots make light "dust" rust look like heavy pitting.  The grips are beat up, but that's not unusual.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Forty Rod on April 21, 2018, 07:44:52 PM
I wouldn't sell mine for that.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on April 22, 2018, 09:23:53 AM
Thanks for the input. I'll go take a look at it.

Slim
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: smoke on April 26, 2018, 10:27:41 PM
That seems high.  There are a couple of them...USGI on ar15.com for around that money.  I am picking up a 1909 Colt NS-the USGI version in .45 Colt-for $800.  It is refinished but still a legit 1909.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on April 28, 2018, 12:25:20 PM
I'd wait for it to time out, then make the guy an offer.  I might go $500 on it, because I think this is one of those guns that look worse in pictures than for real,  some of those flash shots make light "dust" rust look like heavy pitting.  The grips are beat up, but that's not unusual.
You are correct on the picture. I'd say it is 95+% condition. It followed me home today. Got about 100 .45 Auto Rim brass with it and some full moon clips.

Slim
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Niederlander on April 28, 2018, 03:48:50 PM
Used to have one just like that I bought in college for $165.  Should have kept it and wish I still had it!
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Drydock on April 28, 2018, 03:52:57 PM
I had a feeling . . .
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Niederlander on April 28, 2018, 07:08:22 PM
Yep, bought mine when they first came in from Brazil.  Think I saw it in an ad in Shotgun News.  That was my favorite publication in college!
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on April 28, 2018, 07:29:38 PM
It was imported by Century Arms. Stamped on the grip frame under the grip panels.

Slim
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Niederlander on April 28, 2018, 07:38:46 PM
That's where mine came from.  The guy I sold it to still has it (I think).  Maybe I can get it back someday.  Bet it will cost me more than $165 if I do, though!  (I've always kept my Auto Rim brass just in case it ever comes home...........)
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on April 28, 2018, 07:41:16 PM
That's where mine came from.  The guy I sold it to still has it (I think).  Maybe I can get it back someday.  Bet it will cost me more than $165 if I do, though!  (I've always kept my Auto Rim brass just in case it ever comes home...........)

Offer him $200.  ;)

Slim
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Baltimore Ed on April 28, 2018, 09:03:27 PM
Glad you like your Smith there Slim. I enjoy mine a lot. With plumper grips they fit my hand better than a New Service.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Niederlander on April 28, 2018, 09:35:29 PM
Offer him $200.  ;)

Slim
Maybe I'll try that!  (Maybe even $250!)
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Forty Rod on April 29, 2018, 07:23:44 PM
I bought mine from Smith and Edwards Surplus in Ogden, Utah in 1963-1964.  I seem to remember it was $65.00 and looked like new.  NOT a returned piece or a contract gun.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Scattered Thumbs on May 01, 2018, 04:39:47 PM
Congrats on your 1917 Slim. Enjoy it. ;D
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on May 01, 2018, 06:39:26 PM
Congrats on your 1917 Slim. Enjoy it. ;D
Thanks.

Slim
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Niederlander on May 02, 2018, 06:30:04 AM
How's it shoot?  As I recall, mine was a great shooter.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on May 02, 2018, 07:15:41 AM
Shoots better than I do.

Slim
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Lucky R. K. on May 02, 2018, 08:28:39 AM

I bought the Colt version of this pistol on Gunbroker's about a year ago for $650.00.  Except for new replacement grips it was in excellent condition.  The pistol listed here is in much rougher condition and I wouldn't pay more than $450-$500 for it depending on the bore.

Lucky (http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l361/decapper/grin_zpsebe960c5.png)
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Pitspitr on May 02, 2018, 09:13:27 AM

I bought the Colt version of this pistol on Gunbroker's about a year ago for $650.00.  Except for new replacement grips it was in excellent condition.  The pistol listed here is in much rougher condition and I wouldn't pay more than $450-$500 for it depending on the bore.

Lucky (http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l361/decapper/grin_zpsebe960c5.png)

Except that this one is a S&W, so that right there makes it worth more, right Bat? Oh, Wait, Bat likes those revolvers that the cylinder turns backward too.  ::) ;) ;D
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Baltimore Ed on May 02, 2018, 09:38:51 AM
The secret to a New Service/ 1917 is to replace the mainspring (read Dodge pickup leafspring) with an Official Police or Python mainspring.  A world of difference.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Bat 2919 on May 02, 2018, 09:44:26 AM
Except that this one is a S&W, so that right there makes it worth more, right Bat? Oh, Wait, Bat likes those revolvers that the cylinder turns backward too.  ::) ;) ;D

Well, you'll have to admit that backwards turning Colt of mine (that one was a 1909, 45 Colt) made a pretty good showing for it's self at last years Grand Muster ;D
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Pitspitr on May 02, 2018, 09:54:19 AM
Well, you'll have to admit that backwards turning Colt of mine (that one was a 1909, 45 Colt) made a pretty good showing for it's self at last years Grand Muster ;D
Yes, I will have to admit that all of those backward turning Colt of yours make a pretty good showing whether it be at Grand Musters or World Zoot matches or any other place they happen to be in your hands!

Of course, I suspect that a revolver that turns the right way would make a decent showing as well if you were the one holding it!
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on May 02, 2018, 07:00:43 PM
A holster for it is on the way from Pacific Canvas and Leather.

Slim
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: smoke on May 02, 2018, 08:31:23 PM
A holster for it is on the way from Pacific Canvas and Leather.

Slim

Slim,  are you getting a copy of the standard USGI 1909/1917 holster or something different?
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Baltimore Ed on May 03, 2018, 05:53:35 AM
I really like the half flap style for these big revolvers. I've bought 3 from Wolfs Ears over the years. I don't know if they're historically accurate but they look good. When I'm trying to be competitive I use open tops. Here's a couple of mine.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on May 03, 2018, 07:10:17 AM
Slim,  are you getting a copy of the standard USGI 1909/1917 holster or something different?
Copy of the 1909/1917.

Slim
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Niederlander on May 03, 2018, 09:40:48 AM
I believe What Price Glory has them, too.
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: smoke on May 09, 2018, 05:56:40 AM
Copy of the 1909/1917.

Slim

 8)..can you post a review when you get it?  I need a couple of them.

Thanks!!
Title: Re: S&W 1917
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on May 14, 2018, 07:54:51 PM
I bought if from Pacific because World War Supply (WWS) didn't have them in stock and it was less expensive than What Price Glory.

I have bought a couple of holsters from WWS which I think are top quality for a good price.

The stitching job is not of the quality of WWS, even though WWS holsters are less expensive. It will do, but if WWS had it in stock I would have bought it from them.

Slim