Close Enough Revolver

191145 · Post by **191145** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 11:40 am

I'm looking at a S&W Model 10 .38 Special with 4" heavy barrel. It has some wear on it and the grips are very similar to the US M1917. Check out the picture. Also see the picture of a 'commercial' 1917 (bright blued, no lanyard loop) for frame comparison. Not SA but good enough, and fits the 'Raiders' holster (I'm also getting a Todd's holster/belt set). Heck, I might even use it once in awhile. I've never owned a revolver, being an 'auto' guy, but they do have their uses. "SIX FOR SURE"!

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hocfutue · Post by **hocfutue** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:20 pm

The Model 10 is a solid pistol, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

191145 · Post by **191145** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:28 pm

I didn't get that one - somebody wanted it more than I did. Now I'm looking at a more beat-up one!

191145 · Post by **191145** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:46 pm

Boy, did I ever find a beat-up one! It's a real U.S. 'Victory Model' from WWII. Same as a Model 10 but Parkerized instead of blued and military 'round-top' grips. Maybe I'll get this one. I also found a very interesting U.S. holster for it - just a little different than the standard holster, but as you know, everything I have is a little 'off' from screen-accurate! I think I have moved into 'obsessive' territory about being close but not SA - like it's a challenge or something. Pics in a couple weeks IF I get them.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:49 pm

I think the photos are a little misleading.

The Model 10 is a J frame.

The Model 1917 is an N frame.

The N frame is MUCH larger than the J, probably by 1/3.

Other than that, the Smith outline is pretty much the same at a glance.

The model 10 was conceived and built as the Smith M&P in 1898, and was hoped to reach the hands of our boys in Cuba during the Spanish American war. Well, it never made it in time, but has been a favorite ever since, so you're looking at a tried and true design. It has changed mechanically over the decades, in one change being reclassified as a model 10, but the linage remains the same.

A good gun.

Regards! Michaelson

Picker · Post by **Picker** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:16 pm

Actually, Michaelson, the Model 10 is a K frame, larger than the J frames. J frames are the Chief's Special, Model 36 etc.

I own J's, K's, and N's.

Picker

191145 · Post by **191145** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:30 pm

Gentlemen; thanks for the input. I just got back from the 'fun' show where I did a side-by-side comparison of a 1917 and a Victory model. True, the 'K' frame is smaller in some dimensions than the 'N' frame, but they are VERY close in size. The biggest 'tells' on the 'K' frame gun are the smaller cylinder and barrel which are recognized from quite a distance. Still, a 'Victory' Model with 4" barrel would be exceptionally good as a 'close-enough' IJ revolver at 1/4 to 1/3 the price of a 4" 1917 (if you can even find one). There were several beautiful commercial and military 1917s at the show, starting around $850, and piles of Webleys. I just cannot see myself owning a gun as ugly as a Webley even if IJ had one. Another alternative is any S&W Model 10 4", also a 'K' frame as 'picker' mentioned. 'Victory' grips fit these and a cheap 'Parkerizing' job is only a spray can away (Brownell's bake-on coating in 'Dark Parkerizing').

Cammer · Post by **Cammer** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:32 pm

Based on everyone's comments I have been checking out the 1917 versus the Victory model, and I am really impressed with how close those two revolvers are in appearance. The Victory model really does seem to be a great "close-enough" handgun. The parkerization and the caliber are the two main issues for me. I'm not sure why, but I would love to get a 45 ACP revolver, but I could get over that and eventually find a beat up 1917. And I'm sure if I look long enough I'll be able to find a Victory model that someone has already blued, and following that carried quite a bit to put some natural distressing on the gun.

It's so funny how these sellers seem to think that something is more desireable if it's in better condition. They are always talking about how their gun is 98% or better like that is a GOOD thing!

191145 · Post by **191145** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:48 pm

I finally realized that Parkerizing was not in use when the WWI 1917s were made. I ended up getting an older blued Model 10 4" with regular tapered barrel. I already have some 'Victory' plain walnut grips to put on it and a sling swivel that looks just like a lanyard loop. Because it was old and had some bluing wear, I got it for a pretty good price compared to $1000 for a 4" 1917 (very rare cut down to 4"). This 'K' frame will fit the standard Raiders holster fine. Yes, a real 1917 .45 Cal revolver would be better, but this is definitely 'close enough'. Pics later - I still have to receive the S&W.

191145 · Post by **191145** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:04 pm

BTW, there's re-blued 1917 on Gunbroker ending in 9 hours and it's only $330 right now. At that price it would be feasible to have the barrel cut down and the sight moved back, and you wouldn't be destroying any collector value. I imagine these will pop up from time to time, so there is a definite possibility for those who want the real thing.

RaiderZee · Post by **RaiderZee** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:26 am

191145 wrote:BTW, there's re-blued 1917 on Gunbroker ending in 9 hours and it's only $330 right now. At that price it would be feasible to have the barrel cut down and the sight moved back, and you wouldn't be destroying any collector value. I imagine these will pop up from time to time, so there is a definite possibility for those who want the real thing.

Went for $650. So much for my bid . . .

191145 · Post by **191145** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:26 pm

That was a wake-up call - even a buffed-out reblue is $650? Wow. Why didn't Indy just use a 1911? I have plenty of those! Anyway, I guess I'll have my 'faux 1917' ready for pics sometime before Xmas. The plain Victory grips look just like the ones on that reblued 1917.

191145 · Post by **191145** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:27 pm

Okay, I ended up with a 1953 M&P. All I have done to it is to put the old '30s grips on. It's on a Todd's holster and belt, as yet un-distressed.

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Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:53 pm

Man, that's a pretty thing!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

hocfutue · Post by **hocfutue** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:28 pm

191145 wrote:Why didn't Indy just use a 1911? I have plenty of those!

The original concept drawings had him in Army issue pistol belt, Sam Browne, 1911, etc. That woulda been too easy!

The prop and costume folks definitely went out of their way to use out-of-the-ordinary, customized, modified, unusual, rare, etc., items for the IJ films, that's for sure.

RaiderZee · Post by **RaiderZee** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:25 pm

Wow, great job! That M&P sure looks the part. From the pic, it looks like you put a faux medallion on plain Victory grips. How'd you go about doing that?

RaiderZee

191145 · Post by **191145** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:31 pm

They're original S&W M&P grips/medallions from the '20s - '30s. The detail just did not show in that picture. Victory Model grips are totally plain, with no checkering or diamond at the screw hole. I had bought Victory grips for it ($15) when I spotted these on Gunbroker. It was a two set deal - more Victory grips and these. I got them both for $35, then sold the two sets of Victory grips for $60. I also sold the S&W Target grips that came on the revolver for $45. I love it when I can use black ink on a deal like this! Accounts Receivable! I'll get a better pic of the grips tomorrow.

This shows the detail of the medallion.

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