What kind of Smith & Wesson is this?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What kind of Smith & Wesson is this?

Posted: 7/30/2011 7:38:44 PM EDT

Hey guys,

A friend of mine has fallen on some hard times (divorce, layed off, kids in college). Anyhow this belonged to his grandfather and he has no idea what it is or it's value. He brought it to me being "a gun guy" to ask so he can price it accordingly to help offset some expenses. Please tell me anything that you can. I really appreciate this, seriously.

From examination it seems to have real stag grips and the original finish, lockup seems tight as well. It chambers .45 Colt but swallows .45 ACP halfway down the cylinder. The serial number inside the cylinder area is a high 4 digit range and the bottom of the grip is a low 5 digit range. There are unfamiliar proofmarks all over the barrel, frame and cylinder. Please see pics for reference...

Posted: 7/30/2011 7:42:37 PM EDT

[#1]

tag for info

I'd guess a 1917model for use with moon clips

Posted: 7/30/2011 7:48:06 PM EDT

[#2]

Looks like a .455 2nd model that's been rechambered for .45 Colt. I see it's been to England and back; the British bought a lot of these during WWI; the original chambering was .455 Webley.

Posted: 7/30/2011 8:05:03 PM EDT

[#3]

Thanks for the info so far. What is it worth in your opinions?

Posted: 7/30/2011 8:33:55 PM EDT

[#4]

Since it's your friend's heirloom, buy it for up to $1000 if you got it and he can buy it back later at cost.

-my $.02

Posted: 7/31/2011 5:02:17 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Since it's your friend's heirloom, buy it for up to $1000 if you got it and he can buy it back later at cost.

-my $.02

This.........there will come a day when he is back on his feet and wish he still had that family heirloom. Sold on the gun market it will not bring in enough cash to make a difference in the course of his life. I hate to see anyone seperated from a tangable family history like that fine old revolver. If he never buys it back you will have the satisfaction of knowing you still have a fine old revoler and were "a friend in need".

Posted: 7/31/2011 8:03:08 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Since it's your friend's heirloom, buy it for up to $1000 if you got it and he can buy it back later at cost.

-my $.02

This.........there will come a day when he is back on his feet and wish he still had that family heirloom. Sold on the gun market it will not bring in enough cash to make a difference in the course of his life. I hate to see anyone seperated from a tangable family history like that fine old revolver. If he never buys it back you will have the satisfaction of knowing you still have a fine old revoler and were "a friend in need".

I would love to help him out but unfortunately I'm not in the position financially. He has expired every avenue available prior to digging this out of his basement. At this point I just want to make sure he knows what it is and what it's really worth so at least he doesn't get screwed worse. It's bad enough his soon-to-be ex has done enough of that lately.

Posted: 7/31/2011 1:55:35 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Since it's your friend's heirloom, buy it for up to $1000 if you got it and he can buy it back later at cost.

-my $.02

This.........there will come a day when he is back on his feet and wish he still had that family heirloom. Sold on the gun market it will not bring in enough cash to make a difference in the course of his life. I hate to see anyone seperated from a tangable family history like that fine old revolver. If he never buys it back you will have the satisfaction of knowing you still have a fine old revoler and were "a friend in need".

I would love to help him out but unfortunately I'm not in the position financially. He has expired every avenue available prior to digging this out of his basement. At this point I just want to make sure he knows what it is and what it's really worth so at least he doesn't get screwed worse. It's bad enough his soon-to-be ex has done enough of that lately.

I understand that, sometimes we are just not in a position the help as much as we would like. You should post those pics here. http://smith-wessonforum.com/ Put them in the +S&W hand ejectors :1896 to 1961" section. You will get a real no BS assesment from some of the most knowledgable people on S&W revolvers in the world.

Posted: 7/31/2011 3:27:58 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Since it's your friend's heirloom, buy it for up to $1000 if you got it and he can buy it back later at cost.

-my $.02

This.........there will come a day when he is back on his feet and wish he still had that family heirloom. Sold on the gun market it will not bring in enough cash to make a difference in the course of his life. I hate to see anyone seperated from a tangable family history like that fine old revolver. If he never buys it back you will have the satisfaction of knowing you still have a fine old revoler and were "a friend in need".

I would love to help him out but unfortunately I'm not in the position financially. He has expired every avenue available prior to digging this out of his basement. At this point I just want to make sure he knows what it is and what it's really worth so at least he doesn't get screwed worse. It's bad enough his soon-to-be ex has done enough of that lately.

I understand that, sometimes we are just not in a position the help as much as we would like. You should post those pics here. http://smith-wessonforum.com/ Put them in the +S&W hand ejectors :1896 to 1961" section. You will get a real no BS assesment from some of the most knowledgable people on S&W revolvers in the world.

Will do. I really appreciate it.

Posted: 8/3/2011 11:37:10 AM EDT

[#9]

The grips look like sambar stag. If they are from India they could be worth upto $350 for them without the gun.

Posted: 8/3/2011 1:05:51 PM EDT

[#10]

Just so you know the numbers on the crane is the assembly number and the serial number is on the bottom of the grip. It is a S&W 1917.

Posted: 8/3/2011 1:21:09 PM EDT

[#11]

A cool one.

Posted: 8/3/2011 3:06:26 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Looks like a .455 2nd model that's been rechambered for .45 Colt. I see it's been to England and back; the British bought a lot of these during WWI; the original chambering was .455 Webley.

+1

Posted: 8/3/2011 5:16:39 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Looks like a .455 2nd model that's been rechambered for .45 Colt. I see it's been to England and back; the British bought a lot of these during WWI; the original chambering was .455 Webley.

+1

That was my immediate thought.

Depending on what he wants for it, several members here may well be interested, possibly including myself (if the price was low enough, 'cause I don't have much spare money

).

Posted: 8/3/2011 8:30:38 PM EDT

[#14]

Take a picture of the back of the cylinder, showing the inside of the chambers if possible.
If it is chambered for 45 LC, there will be a shoulder in each chamber.

Posted: 8/4/2011 3:29:30 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Take a picture of the back of the cylinder, showing the inside of the chambers if possible.
If it is chambered for 45 LC, there will be a shoulder in each chamber.

There will be shoulders if it was rechambered to .45 ACP as well.
It's 4AM and I'm bored, so here's a pic of my .455 Ist model:

And here's a pic of the cylinder after rechambering to .45 Colt, note the counterbore for the rim; .45 Colt rims are thicker than the .455 Eley (Webley) rims.

Posted: 8/14/2011 6:20:33 PM EDT

[#16]

Sorry guys, I've been really busy here lately with work and the impending school year. I will get the pics of the back of the cylinder posted soon. Thank you again for all the help.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What kind of Smith & Wesson is this?

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