My "new" US Army Model 1917 S&W

[MXGreg]

After months of looking for the right gun (price and condition) I finally found a 1917 Smith & Wesson that I liked. I was looking for one to be a shooter and wasn't too concerned about collectability. It has a 47xxx serial number which puts it as delivered to the US government in 1918. Stampings on the frame under the grip shows it was refurbished by S&W in March 1974 at which point a new barrel was installed (no "United States Property" on bottom of barrel but serial number is correct). Other than a couple small scratches it appears to be in pretty good shape. I've put about 200 rounds through it and like all my guns it shoots better than I do.



I did find one thing that is a little curious under the left grip. It's one of those things where you wish guns could talk. The person's name carved on the back of the grip was assassinated July 20, 1923 so..........

[MNBlackjack]

How much did you have to spend on that little number to add it to your collection?

[Seismic Sam]

Have you had that gun appraised?? If that's not a forgery or fake, I'm guessing high 5 or lower 6 figures... From that period, there are 3 owners in order who are the most important:

JMB
Teddy Roosevelt
Pancho Villa

The lettering looks a little neat and Gringo to be real, but what do I know?

[Squib Joe]

Even if it were real, it wouldn't get anywhere near six figures

My guess, and this is only an informed guess, is that the stocks were carved on the inside because the original owner was part of the Border War campaign hunting Pancho Villa in late 1910s

Pancho wouldn't have carried a sidearm that wasn't flashy!

His Remington sold for 18,000 in 2007

[connsolo]

Very cool

[Seismic Sam]

Thank you for the more accurate appraisal, Squib Joe. And I think your guess is probably a good one!!

[Erik_Pakieser]

Nice find!

[MXGreg]

I'm not holding my breath that it was owned by Pancho Villa. After 95 years who knows if these are even the original grips for the gun. I'd be more willing to guess that the gun spent time doing boarder patrol duty after WW1. But it is a cool conversation piece none the less.

I picked it up off Gunbroker for the outragous price of $475. The period correct ammo box was $10 (empty) and the moon clips were $15. So, with shipping, transfer, and everything I have a total of less than $575 into it. Not too bad if I do say so myself.

[Ranger01]

You lucky F**k... I've been hunting for one of them for a long while... Finally gave up a few months ago. Congrats on the purchase (and deal).

USBP is highly likely, who knows, it may have been handled (and "fixed") at some point by Col. Charles Askins.

[Squib Joe]

It would probably be worth getting a letter from S&W, if only to confirm where the firearm was shipped. Include the picture of the grip engraving and maybe Mr. Jinks has some ideas

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/Sm ... er/LOA.pdf

[smurfman]

I highly doubt that pistol had seen any action against Pancho Villa, that little excursion happened in 1916 and ended in 1917 with the U.S. entry into WWI which was before the gun was even made. It is more likely that it was declared surplus and ended up in some border agent's or officer's holster after WWI and it was put there in some idle moment as either a diversion from monotony or as an attempt at getting a couple dollars more on the sale of this gun. There is a history of such shennanigans and maybe the best at it was Bat Masterson during his days as a sportswriter in New York City. Look it up, it is a funny read.

Otherwise, that was a good deal and one I hope to run into myself. I tried for a Colt version but failed when the price ran a hundred more than what you paid.