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Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The Barracks => Topic started by: cpt dan blodgett on June 04, 2018, 08:34:44 PM

Title: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug (pics added bottom of thread)
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 04, 2018, 08:34:44 PM
I hope this is not a case of a fool and his money. I am sure you folks can tell me if it was a good deal or if I over paid.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/772808873

As soon as I hear if the seller will accept my C&R I will have to send him some bucks, find some 45 AR brass or half moon clips and a holster hopefully all will be in place prior to muster.  

Also ordered a half moon clip pouch and left handed 1917 holder from world war supply (same place I got the 1910/18 cartridge belt

Just heard from him we are good to go with my C&R FFL

Question guys 1/2 moon clip or Auto Rim or both???
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Drydock on June 04, 2018, 11:01:09 PM
Looks like a deal to me.  And both.  And some RIMZ clips as well.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Major 2 on June 05, 2018, 02:31:07 AM
Looks just fine, well played ..... 
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Pitspitr on June 05, 2018, 06:07:25 AM
Looks good to me!
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: St. George on June 05, 2018, 08:18:33 AM
Refinished - original Brazilian Contract and genuine WWI US-issue were commercially blued - this has been Parkerized, or bead-blasted and blued.

Replaced grips - originals are checkered walnut, with 'diamonds' surrounding the screw hole.

Replaced lanyard swivel - originals were casehardened.

Someone cleaned this up quite a bit.

That said, the things to worry about will be bore condition (they shot a lot of corrosive) and timing.

If the bore's pitted, jacketed Ball will work well, and unlike Colts - S&W parts are readily available.

Scouts Out!
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Major 2 on June 05, 2018, 12:14:14 PM
I mentioned, in some other thread...a Brazilian contract my FFL had on consignment.
Consigner was widow of the previous owner....

It was professionally refinished polished blue and had S&W N frame thumb rest walnut grips....
Pretty gun but not for the asking $1000.

This one sold for $500 in 45 ACP ....  you did fine

  

 
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 05, 2018, 12:50:18 PM
Thanks for the assessment.  We will see how it shoots.  $125 or so should put it back into original config but given the parkerized refinish it will never be anything but a shooter.  Hopefully the sellers idea of a decent bore reflects a good bore that shoots well

Having just had cataract surgery on left eye, I can see sights again almost as well as years ago when I could shoot. Luckily shoot pistols left handed.  Unfortunately the right eye is not bad enough to fix and sights on rifles are pretty blurry.  Maybe next year the eye will be bad enough to fix as last year the left eye was not bad enough to fix but was this year.

Refinished - original Brazilian Contract and genuine WWI US-issue were commercially blued - this has been Parkerized, or bead-blasted and blued.

Replaced grips - originals are checkered walnut, with 'diamonds' surrounding the screw hole.

Replaced lanyard swivel - originals were casehardened.

Someone cleaned this up quite a bit.

That said, the things to worry about will be bore condition (they shot a lot of corrosive) and timing.

If the bore's pitted, jacketed Ball will work well, and unlike Colts - S&W parts are readily available.

Scouts Out!
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 05, 2018, 12:53:05 PM
Looks like a deal to me.  And both.  And some RIMZ clips as well.

Well AR brass Half moon and RIMZ clips all on order.

Now the hard decision for expansion era match.  03 and 1911 or 03 and  1917 or given the weakness of the left arm after rotator cuff surgery maybe just rifle.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on June 05, 2018, 06:32:00 PM
Well AR brass Half moon and RIMZ clips all on order.

Now the hard decision for expansion era match.  03 and 1911 or 03 and  1917 or given the weakness of the left arm after rotator cuff surgery maybe just rifle.
I'm doing 1917s: revolver and rifle.  :)

Slim
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 08, 2018, 12:03:44 AM
I know they cannot be used but 10 full moon clips arrived to day.  The half moon clips still in bound.  Did not hear from the guy today telling me the USPS MO and C&R FFL arrived so maybe tomorrow.  It is a long way from Arizona to Fleetwood PA (About 50 miles North of Philly)
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Drydock on June 08, 2018, 09:39:13 AM
Full moon clips may be used in the Expansion Era side match.  They actually predate the Half Moon clips, which did not come about until 1917, because the army wanted something easier to carry.  Neither can be used in the Victorian match, of course, but neither can the big S&W.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: St. George on June 08, 2018, 01:56:56 PM
Out of curiosity, when did full moon clips come to be, for what caliber, and are there originals (and patents) available to view like there are for the half-moon clips?

Scouts Out!
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Drydock on June 08, 2018, 02:03:31 PM
https://patents.google.com/patent/US923068
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Drydock on June 08, 2018, 02:07:55 PM
http://www.guns.com/2013/03/30/revolver-speedloaders/
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 08, 2018, 04:59:07 PM
Thanks for the clarification on the Moonies.  Today the World War Supply holster Left Handed and half moon clip pouch arrived.  Would have saved a couple of bucks getting the Half Moon Pouch from Pac Canvas and Leather but with a second shipment charge it is probably a wash.  Also got email from seller confirming receipt of Payment and my C&R.  He is sending the 1917 out tomorrow should have tracking number then.  The half moon clips should arrive any time between now and the 13th.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Niederlander on June 09, 2018, 08:45:15 PM
I gotta stop looking at these posts.  I just traded a New Service I didn't especially like for two Smith 1917's.  Still like to get my original one back though.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Bat 2919 on June 09, 2018, 10:30:22 PM
I gotta stop looking at these posts.  I just traded a New Service I didn't especially like for two Smith 1917's.  Still like to get my original one back though.

Well, I guess 2 S&W's for one Colt was a fair trade ;)  I agree, find a way to get that Colt back ;D
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 10, 2018, 12:06:42 AM
Sorry to hear about the Golt busting out of the corral.  Treat my guns like children generally cannot give them up for adoption.

The half moon clips and the unloading tool arrived today.  Now just need the tracking number the 1917 was supposed to ship today but who knows.  Hope it arrives soon as I start the Journey to the plains on thursday the 21st.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Niederlander on June 10, 2018, 07:56:08 AM
Well, I guess 2 S&W's for one Colt was a fair trade ;)  I agree, find a way to get that Colt back ;D
Don't get me wrong.  I LOVE Colt single actions, but Smith & Wesson perfected the double action!  Looking forward to seeing you soon, Bat!
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Baltimore Ed on June 10, 2018, 11:42:56 AM
Mr. Niederlander, did you ever get your barrel swap completed on your Smith? I'm planning on finally getting mine shipped to Fords this week. Been primarily working on my 2 rifle builds and shop cleanup. Managed to bend my drill chuck arbor on my mini mill. Learning curve smacked me right in the kisser. Luckily the plastic gears survived. The Little Machine Shop has replacements for 12.00. Bought 2.

 
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Niederlander on June 10, 2018, 11:54:48 AM
Yep!  In fact, I'll be shooting it at the Muster later this month.  Shoots great, too!
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 11, 2018, 01:39:26 PM
The freshly adopted child arrived today via USPS. mailman left it on front porch glad I got to it first before a thief or she who does not know I bought it found it.  Looks like WWI frame as the top strap has rounded corners and a U notch rear sight.  Barrel and frame serial number match.  Cylinder does not.  Frame 48xxx cylinder 20x xxx.  Parkerizing looks good except for the drag ring on cylinder.  Good news bad news:  Good news can see front sight ok with left eye.  Badnews cannot hold it up at arms length with left arm have to cheat with bent elbow and upper arm against chest.  Kind of a click thing just before left off in double action mode not sure if that is normal or indication of some wear.   Overall like the piece and the barrel looks good.

Hope to make it to the range Wednesday or Thursday to see how I shoot with it.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Pitspitr on June 11, 2018, 02:33:28 PM
glad I got to it first before a thief or she who does not know I bought it found it.
A couple of months ago I bought a S&W 1899 "parts" gun. I don't have a C&R so it had to go through a FFL. The FFL's wife mentioned it to my wife before I did. OOPS, OUCH!
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 11, 2018, 02:57:47 PM
BUSTED111111
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: Good Troy on June 11, 2018, 03:44:15 PM
A couple of months ago I bought a S&W 1899 "parts" gun. I don't have a C&R so it had to go through a FFL. The FFL's wife mentioned it to my wife before I did. OOPS, OUCH!

Try my strategy....."Look what I bought you, Mary!"
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 13, 2018, 09:27:57 AM
500 45 Auto Rim brass arrive yesterday. If anyone coming to the muster needs any can bring some for the $23 per hundred it cost me to get from Midway or 11.50 per 50
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: smoke on June 13, 2018, 08:06:28 PM
Great thread...I have been following it since day one.  No idea why I have tagged it before now. ???

Anywho...WE NEED PICS!!!
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug with pics
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 14, 2018, 11:39:17 AM
As requested
This otherwise G rated thread has now become unabashed gun porn!  Brazilian shield does not show very well

Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 14, 2018, 11:43:00 AM
more
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 14, 2018, 11:47:19 AM
yet more,  The half moon clip unloading tool is being used as the stand.  Loaded half moon and full moon clips displayed also.  You can put 2 half moons in a pouch also a full moon with the 2 half moons.  Very hard to snap with 2 and 1
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug (pics added bottom of thread)
Post by: Jake C on June 14, 2018, 12:40:52 PM
Nice gun! I'm a big fan of the S&W M1917s. Maybe because they scratch my WWI itch, my Wild Bunch era itch, and my Indiana Jones itch all at the same time.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug (pics added bottom of thread)
Post by: smoke on June 14, 2018, 02:06:38 PM
Cap. dan...really good pics. Thanks for posting them.

Do you need the tool only for the half moon clips and not the full moon?
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug (pics added bottom of thread)
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 14, 2018, 04:19:19 PM
You actually dont really need the tool for either but does make getting empties out of the clips easier.  When loading the half moon clips I find it easier to load the two end rounds then put in the center one.  That may not be the same for other folks but it seems easier to generate force going into the center slot.  It also help to slightly turn the rounds as you are pushing them in, sorta rolling them into the notch. 

The moon clips seem easier to get shells into than the half moons.  Some of the other old time users can chime in.  I have not messed with moon or half moon clips since high school when one of my teachers would take us shooting using a webley converted to 45 ACP using half and full moon clips or 45 auto rim.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug (pics added bottom of thread)
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on June 15, 2018, 02:23:40 PM
10 yard group shot today at Ben Avery.  Recoil a bit stouter for the 1917 than same load from 1911.
Title: Re: Bit by the S&W 1917 Bug (pics added bottom of thread)
Post by: Silver Creek Slim on June 15, 2018, 06:40:23 PM
10 yard group shot today at Ben Avery.  Recoil a bit stouter for the 1917 than same load from 1911.
Yep. I noticed that also.

Slim