Absolutely Beautiful S&W 1917 .45ACP WWI -- Like New

[alfsauve]

Absolutely great, almost mint condition, 1917.   

Auction started at $0.01 ---------------------  of course within 14 hours it was up to $1,000.
http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=10932349

[Pecos Bill]

Alf, while I appreciate these revolvers I'm not very good at IDing them. Did they enclose the US Property stamp under the barrel in quotes? Don't remember seeing it like that. Gun just looks too good.

Pecos

[alfsauve]

Go to the auction site to see many more pictures.


I'm thinkin' the same thing Pecos.  Is this a reproduction?  Too perfect.  All matching s/n's.  Almost pristine condition.  Even if it were it's be worth it.

It's at $1,010 and there's still 13 days to go in the auction.   If it's authentic it may top $2k. 

Even though I lean more toward the "classic" stainless steel models I could be tempted, but too rich for my blood.  This is a beauty to look at though.

[twyacht]

You could cut cheddar cheese with that front sight. A true beauty. However, given the skeptics, I would have provided a Letter Of Authenticity from S&W....

Especially for what they advertise as 98-99% condition....

[tombogan03884]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765797_-1_757779_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

Not nearly the same.  The Model 22 recreation of the 1917 still appears to have the "infernal" lock and is no where as pretty as the original.   Different grips and different stamping.

If authentic, the gun up for auction is a piece of history in pristine shape.

TW:  yeah, for what this might bring a $50 authentication letter from S&W would seem to be in order.  It could drive up the price as well.

From what I can tell it has all the markings according to "the book"  and the s/n is in the right range to be early WWI.

A near mint one in the 75xxx range with factory letter and factory installed target sights went for $14k+ not too long ago.

  
LATE BREAKING NEWS (10:15pmEDT):   Just got an email back from the seller and he does NOT have a letter from S&W.  He should have.  It could add several thousand to the bidding.  I'm sure as word gets around the S&W community over the next week, it'll will be held up to scrutiny by collectors.

[Pecos Bill]

Put this up on the SWCA forum and the guys there think it's straight. Sure wish I had some ready cash!

Pecos

[tommy tornado]

It may have never been issued.  There are still unissued examples of Civil War guns on the market.  If that is not the case, then my guess would be a re-blue or restoration.  I have a 1917 Colt and Smith but they are not in great shape.  The Smith was refinished at one point and the US Property stamps were buffed out.  Still has the flaming bomb and it is a fun shooter.

[Ping]

She is a beauty. I would not want to even fire it.

[alfsauve]

So for comparison, one just went up on  Gun Auction (formerly Auction Arms).  It's a tad more "used".  I found it interesting to compare the markings with the pristine one and it does appear everything is the same.   This one is serial number range 59xxx so it is early WWI as well.   You could get this one for only a thousand and then have it refinished to original look.


http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=10934354