Smith and Wesson M1917 Question
Moderator: Cajunkraut
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Smith and Wesson M1917 Question
I found an old (but in beautiful condition) S&W M1917 at my local gunshop, but I had a question to ask before I buy it... it is going to be my "Indy" pistol (as I can't find a good HE2), but will it fit in a typical Raiders style holster offered by many of the Indy Community vendors? For info, it has a 5 inch barrel. Thanks in advance!
- Sergei
- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 2047
- Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 11:44 am
- Location: Off the grid, in from the cold - Jack's Canyon ~1119
- Contact:
Hmmmm... sounds like the right direction you are going.
You need to read these two threads:
viewtopic.php?t=2844&highlight=1917
viewtopic.php?t=3575&highlight=1917
You will quickly get spun-up on the issues and solutions.
-Sergei
You need to read these two threads:
viewtopic.php?t=2844&highlight=1917
viewtopic.php?t=3575&highlight=1917
You will quickly get spun-up on the issues and solutions.
-Sergei
- binkmeisterRick
- Stealer of Wallets
- Posts: 16926
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:22 pm
- Location: Chattering with these old bones
- Sergei
- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 2047
- Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 11:44 am
- Location: Off the grid, in from the cold - Jack's Canyon ~1119
- Contact:
The advice I received which made the most sense. If the 1917 is in great collector shape, then preserve it. It's worth more that way. If it has defects or anything that hinders it's value as a 1917 amongst the gun collecting community, then cut away. Making it a Indy gun, will by far increase the value. Just my thoughts...
-S
-S
- Rusty Jones
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 390
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 11:33 am
- Location: Raleigh, NC, Running from the Havitos (my (ex)girlfriends' parents)
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Wow! Thanks for all the help. I am particularly interested in the Raiders conversion service... good times, indeed! About a half hour after I posted this, my "gun guy" called and told me he had found an HE2 in .455 with a 6" barrel, in good shape, for about half as much as the 1917 (which was very reasonable as well). I think I'm going to pick them both up, look into converting the HE2, and keep the 1917 as is, as it is the same type my Granfather (a retired Naval Aviator) carried during WWII...
Thanks again for all the great info!
Thanks again for all the great info!
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
- binkmeisterRick
- Stealer of Wallets
- Posts: 16926
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:22 pm
- Location: Chattering with these old bones
Well done! Where were you finding these at such good prices, anyway?LeatherneckJones wrote:Wow! Thanks for all the help. I am particularly interested in the Raiders conversion service... good times, indeed! About a half hour after I posted this, my "gun guy" called and told me he had found an HE2 in .455 with a 6" barrel, in good shape, for about half as much as the 1917 (which was very reasonable as well). I think I'm going to pick them both up, look into converting the HE2, and keep the 1917 as is, as it is the same type my Granfather (a retired Naval Aviator) carried during WWII...
Thanks again for all the great info!
bink
- Michaelson
- Knower of Things
- Posts: 44484
- Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
- Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando
Glad to 'hear' you have gone this route. They're out there, but the military marked are getting harder to find, so I'm pleased you left that one alone....LeatherneckJones wrote:Agreed, Sergei... it would have been tough, especially after Michaelson pointed out that cutting would ruin the "US Army Property"...
It turned out well, indeed! Beautiful looking pistol!
Regards! Michaelson
- Michaelson
- Knower of Things
- Posts: 44484
- Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
- Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando
-
- Field Surveyor
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:03 pm
- Location: Kentucky
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
I have a local pawn shop here in Illinois... he calls it a pawn shop, but it mainly deals in used firearms... its called Arenkill's in Aurora, Illinois.Well done! Where were you finding these at such good prices, anyway?
bink
Agreed... especially since this one is in really nice shape...Glad to 'hear' you have gone this route. They're out there, but the military marked are getting harder to find, so I'm pleased you left that one alone....
Regards! Michaelson
Will do!& don't forget pics as & when you can Us UK gearheads need stuff to drool over
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Okay, next question... I have my HE2 in my hot little hands, just waiting on Mr Devore to get back to me before I send it out to be modified into an "Indy" gun... my question is, the pistol is currently in .455 Eley... should I have the pistol converted to .45 ACP, or should I leave it as the more screen authentic .455?
- J_Weaver
- Expeditionary Hero
- Posts: 2149
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:18 pm
- Location: Ramparts of Civilization
My understanding is that Indy S&W was a .455 that had been converted to .45acp.
I left my S&W chambered for .455. I found a company selling .455 ammo and I bought 200 rounds. When I get some extra cash I'll buy the dies I need to reload them. However, if you don't reload it may be best to have it converted to .45acp or .45 Colt. Personally I'd go with the .45 Colt. That way you won't have to fool with those bloody moon clips.
I left my S&W chambered for .455. I found a company selling .455 ammo and I bought 200 rounds. When I get some extra cash I'll buy the dies I need to reload them. However, if you don't reload it may be best to have it converted to .45acp or .45 Colt. Personally I'd go with the .45 Colt. That way you won't have to fool with those bloody moon clips.
-
- Field Surveyor
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:03 pm
- Location: Kentucky
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
- J_Weaver
- Expeditionary Hero
- Posts: 2149
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:18 pm
- Location: Ramparts of Civilization
Mr. Devore was still working the last I spoke to him back in the early summer. I'd say he is busy, out of town, or something. Otherwise I'm sure he would have gotten in contact with you. he is a nice fellow that really knows his business. I spoke with him about having my S&W converted. However, I couldn't bring myself to send it to the "chopping block". However, my S&W is in very good condition and it came with a letter from S&W about is history. I guess it too unique to "indyize." Anywho, if you convery your S&W Mr. Devore is the man for the job.
- J_Weaver
- Expeditionary Hero
- Posts: 2149
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:18 pm
- Location: Ramparts of Civilization
Ok, I just checked out the handgun page. The gun Indy hands to Belloq and throws in his suit case was a HE2, not a 1917. It was chambered for .45acp. The other gun that does all of the shooting was also a HE2, but it was chamber for .455. That means it was a made for the Brits in WWI. It would have originally had a 6.5" barrel. But as we all know it was shortened to 4".VP wrote:Interesting. So the Smith&Wesson was a 6 inch barrel .455 1917 that had been converted to 4 inch and .45 ACP, right? What about the Hand Ejector 2?J_Weaver wrote:My understanding is that Indy S&W was a .455 that had been converted to .45acp.
So apparently Indy never used a 1917. And apparently none of the gunswere converted to .45acp? Although the 1917 is simply the US Army version of the HE2 with plain grips and a 5.5" barrel. So Indy's revolver was a S&W HE2 chamber for .455 and a 4" barrel.
-
- Field Surveyor
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:03 pm
- Location: Kentucky
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
My pistol was just sent out to Mr Devore to be converted to the following specs...
It is currently a S&W HE2 with 6" barrel, chambered in .455 Eley, with checkered, gold medallion grips and lanyard ring
It is being converted to a 4" barrel, ramped sights, and rebored to fire .45ACP
It should be back to me in about a month, and I'll post pics... interestingly enough, I was told that there are about six other HE2s and 1917s going through the same process, all waiting to be re-blued... anyone else out there having their pistols "Indy-ized"? Or just a lot of lurkers?? Interesting!
It is currently a S&W HE2 with 6" barrel, chambered in .455 Eley, with checkered, gold medallion grips and lanyard ring
It is being converted to a 4" barrel, ramped sights, and rebored to fire .45ACP
It should be back to me in about a month, and I'll post pics... interestingly enough, I was told that there are about six other HE2s and 1917s going through the same process, all waiting to be re-blued... anyone else out there having their pistols "Indy-ized"? Or just a lot of lurkers?? Interesting!
-
- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 4136
- Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2002 2:41 pm
- Location: Messin' with Saquatch...
- Contact:
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
- Sergei
- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 2047
- Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 11:44 am
- Location: Off the grid, in from the cold - Jack's Canyon ~1119
- Contact:
Indeed it is... I started the hobby w/ jackets, that lead to the bullwhip. The 1917 was the culmination. In fact... after the 1917 was done with the DeVore conversion, I did the infamous "gun toss" in the meticously, obsessive compulsive search for that "top over" lid suitcase as depicted in Raiders - and called it the icing on the cake. It was a good moment.
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
-
- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 4136
- Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2002 2:41 pm
- Location: Messin' with Saquatch...
- Contact:
Ah..... light bulb appears over MN's head. I'll have to remember that and try to change those names when I get a chance. The links work if you copy and paste in address at least.Sergei wrote:Hey MJ, I know what the problem is with your posted pictures. Ampersands are not allowed in URLs. Rename one of your photos, removing the ampersand, or "&", edit the link so that it reflects the new name and give that a try.
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
-
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
- IndianaRedmon
- Archaeologist
- Posts: 269
- Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2005 6:19 pm
- Location: Ohio
- Contact:
Indy Bapty
Leatherneck,
GREAT looking Indy Bapty. And sounds like you got a terrific price.
Based on my research, I think the true screen Bapty WAS a .455, so yours with the gold medallion grips is spot on.
Here's mine from a local gunsmith. My blueing is a little more matte finish, but if Spielberg wants excellent copies for Indy IV, he should PM us...
My brother is doing some research on dies and loads for a .455 MkII Webley, and I'll post when available. (The Fiocchi new ammo is pricey at $35/box 50 and a little dirty, so reloads seem like a better way to go.)
Regards,
Indy45
GREAT looking Indy Bapty. And sounds like you got a terrific price.
Based on my research, I think the true screen Bapty WAS a .455, so yours with the gold medallion grips is spot on.
Here's mine from a local gunsmith. My blueing is a little more matte finish, but if Spielberg wants excellent copies for Indy IV, he should PM us...
My brother is doing some research on dies and loads for a .455 MkII Webley, and I'll post when available. (The Fiocchi new ammo is pricey at $35/box 50 and a little dirty, so reloads seem like a better way to go.)
Regards,
Indy45
- J_Weaver
- Expeditionary Hero
- Posts: 2149
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:18 pm
- Location: Ramparts of Civilization
Indy 45, Lee make .455 dies. In my research,I've found the dies are the easy part. Tts finding data that is the trick. When I get the time and money I'm gonna buy a set.
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog ... istol.html
$32.98 for a carbide three die set. Thats about as good as it gets!
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog ... istol.html
$32.98 for a carbide three die set. Thats about as good as it gets!
- ShortRound45
- Dig Worker
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2006 8:24 am
Lee dies can be purchased from Midway USA. You will also need to purchase a shell holder that will fit your press.
The shellholder is available from Lee [no.5] and RCBS [no.38]. The RCBS shellholders work in Lyman presses as well.
Order numbers and cost for Lee dies and a RCBS shelholder from Midway USA are:
Item #, Description, Cost
197309, Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 455 Webley Mark 2, $20.99
716664, RCBS Shellholder #38, $5.99
Hope this helps. I'll post what I can about loads at a later date.
The shellholder is available from Lee [no.5] and RCBS [no.38]. The RCBS shellholders work in Lyman presses as well.
Order numbers and cost for Lee dies and a RCBS shelholder from Midway USA are:
Item #, Description, Cost
197309, Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 455 Webley Mark 2, $20.99
716664, RCBS Shellholder #38, $5.99
Hope this helps. I'll post what I can about loads at a later date.