S&W 1917

[Silver Creek Slim]

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

[Major 2]

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.  

[Baltimore Ed]

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.

[Drydock]

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.

[Forty Rod]

I wouldn't sell mine for that.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Thanks for the input. I'll go take a look at it.

Slim

[smoke]

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.

[Silver Creek Slim]

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

[Niederlander]

Used to have one just like that I bought in college for $165.  Should have kept it and wish I still had it!

[Drydock]

I had a feeling . . .

[Niederlander]

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!

[Silver Creek Slim]

It was imported by Century Arms. Stamped on the grip frame under the grip panels.

Slim

[Niederlander]

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...........)

[Silver Creek Slim]

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

[Baltimore Ed]

Glad you like your Smith there Slim. I enjoy mine a lot. With plumper grips they fit my hand better than a New Service.

[Niederlander]

Offer him $200. 

Slim

Maybe I'll try that!  (Maybe even $250!)

[Forty Rod]

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.

[Scattered Thumbs]

Congrats on your 1917 Slim. Enjoy it.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Congrats on your 1917 Slim. Enjoy it.

Thanks.

Slim

[Niederlander]

How's it shoot?  As I recall, mine was a great shooter.