Did I get lucky? Brazilian Contract S&W 1917

[Obi Sean Kenobi]

Hi all,

I've been on the lookout for a vintage 1917 (although preferably a HE2) with little success (within my budget) since joining COW.

Suffice it to say that I've had little success surfing the net through gunbroker and it's ilk.

Stupidly, I suppose, I didn't even check my local gun shop, I mean what were the chances I'd find one right in my backyard, right? Wrong.

Yesterday, on a whim, I dropped by the local gun shop and found a Brazilian 1917 in the consignment section. The price? $550.00

I almost didn't recognize it with the goofy presentation grips on it, and with the missing lanyard ring. Closer inspection revealed the hidden treasure!

It has a very low serial number, indicating it was one of the first batch of 25,000 shipped to Brazil. I think it's in very good condition for its age.

I don't have much on its history. I asked the dealer to get a message through to the elderly man who had it on consignment to see if I could ask some questions about the guns history.

I took the grips off, and the lanyard ring set up is ready to go.

Thoughts? I paid $525.00 total.

Did I get lucky? Or am I a rube??

Pics:





Album:
http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/obi_s ... ent&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Regards,
Sean

Ps - anyone have a link to replacement lanyard rings and grips like on the Bapty??

[Indiana Charles]

A fine looking piece. I would say you paid a very reasonable price for it; I see guns like it on Gunbroker going for between eight and nine hundred dollars US (sometimes even stretching into the low thousands).

Speaking of Gunbroker, you can try there for replacement grips and lanyard ring.

http://www.Gunbroker.com

I don't know how frequently the grips show up but lanyard rings pop almost daily. Just search for "S&W 1917" and scan the results. Congrats again on the shootin' iron


-I.C.

[ChrisMD]

How is the finish under the grips? Look for any hidden pitting, especially near the springs. Thats where ive seen em get sketchy. But overall looks like a nice pistol. Since its a Brazilian contract gun you dont need to feel guilty about chopping that barrel.

[Solent MKIII]

Numrich has a S&W lanyard ring for $16.20.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/358810.htm#358810B" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ChrisMD]

Also, its always a good idea to get the timing checked on surplus revolvers. All of these are optional and ive gone without doing them, but it cant hurt to get it checked.

[Obi Sean Kenobi]

Do you all think these grips will fit it?

http://bit.ly/GB8fNR" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Michaelson]

Probably not. From the description, these came off a K22, which is a K frame.

Your big 1917 is an N-frame....much bigger than the K.

Look for N-frame grips.

Regards! Michaelson

[IndianaRedmon]

Very nice Brazilian contract M1917. Enjoy it I do mine.

[Redinight]

Wow! I say you did fine. I just saw one at a local gun show with cheap replacement grips and the bluing so bad the gun looked silver? He wanted 450 and I walked on....

[Cajunkraut]

Numrich has a S&W lanyard ring for $16.20.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/358810.htm#358810B" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ya might need one of these to mount that swivel.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/358830B.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Solent MKIII]

Whoops! I didn't notice that was missing from the frame as well - definetly a required part! How's your 1917 project coming along, Obi Sean? Any updates?