Colt 1917

Hi all. The wife and I were in my favorite "toy store" today and I found a Colt 1917 45 ACP Revolver with a parkerized finish. I checked an online website and all his Colt 1917 Revolvers were going for at least $250 more. This one is stamped US Government also and has the original stocks and lanyard ring.

The store was asking $569. I guess what I'm asking is, am I getting this for a "decent" price? As soon as I saw the US Government stamping I was "hooked".

Thanks in advance for the help.

Biker :tumbleweed:

Buy it. 1917s have gone through the roof. An average S&W 1917 will run in the $700 range these days.
Dave

Go to gunbroker.com and search Colt 1917 - there are usually a few listed for sale there. You can do some comparison shopping.
As is usually the case exact dollar value/worth depends a lot on the condition.

If, it is correct and original, that's a good price.

Any "tips" to tell if it is correct and original?

Biker

The pistol should be "blued" over a rough surface (bead blasted, well that's not exactly correct, the roughness comes from several of the final polishing steps having been dropped to speed production, sorry), the finish is often mistaken for parkerizing, it should appear dark grey or black. The serial number will be found on the bottom of the butt frame, if it is also found inside the cylinder crane recess, it's a Commercial Model dressed up as a Military. Inspection markings were applied AFTER the finish and should show a burnished or bright areas with in the grooves of the marks. Make sure the inspectors stamps match the time frame they were actually inspecting.

Dang You're Good! <~~~~~ :yup:

So far it sounds like I got a real one!

Where are the inspection stamps located?

Biker

Inspection stamps will be found on the left rear of frame near the sight, Francis L. Hosmer's "H" marking will be found on the bottom of the barrel just in front of the frame, on the rear face of the cylinder and inside the cylinder crane recess. "United States Property" will be found in the recess of the extractor rod relief on the underside of the barrel. The top of the barrel is marked;
Colt's PT.FA.MFG.CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.
PAT"D AUG. 5. 1884. JUNE 5. 1900. JULY 4. 1905...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by QKShooter

Dang You're Good! <~~~~~ :yup:

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:redface:

Here's a run-of-the mill Colt New Service M1917 shown with it's Smith & Wesson cousin.

The Colt New Service is my favorite Colt revolver. They're huge old guns that have a stately elegance all their own. I'd only be fair at close range, using one double action because of the configuration of the grip makes DA a bit of a chore. They shoot very well indeed with 250-255 lead semi-wadcutter handloads and a moderate charge of Unique. Of course they handle .45 ACP in the half-moon clips perfectly. The clips give a fairly speedy reload.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...gilvray079.jpg

lets see some pics

Dont you know OD has a Red phone to Colt they answer all hours of the day for OD

Very nice, bmcgilvray!



I wish that were true, Bud. :wink:

Deny it all ya want OD its like the bat phone you can't fool me