S & W D.A.45 value

kallard1

April 03, 2003 19:58

I have a S&W hand ejector revolver. It is nickle plated, checkered wood grips (thumb rest), stamped 89731 bottom of barrel, stamped
524 42 visible when cylinder is open. I took off grips and it is stamped U S Army 1917, and the number 89731 again. 3 1/2" barrel.Any idea of its value??

K J Allard

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  Python

  April 03, 2003 21:28

  Kallard;
  The model 1917 S&W revolvers, like any old gun, condition and rarity are the determining factors. The model 1917 is not rare, Colt and S&W production was, as memory serves, a million plus. They are very good servicable, well made revolvers. The half moon clips to hold the .45 ACP cartridges are a bit of a pain to manipulate, but, had good points as you could carry many preloaded "moons". In good to excellent condition you can expect a price of somewhere between $250 and $350. At least thats what I've seen them going for recently and the shows. By the way, I've never seen such a revolver with a factory nickel finish. All the '17's were blued with one example that was parkerized. Nickel finishs were never favored by the U.S. military. I suspect this was done some time after the government sold it off as surplus. Unless by some chance it was a presention piece to some General. You might research the piece to be sure. This WOULD make it rare and therefore more valuble. I suspect, however, this will not be the case, just been nickled sometime in the past. If it has adjustable sights this would also be a premium, The thumb rest grips and in all likelyhood after market.

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  Ampersand

  April 04, 2003 04:04

  These have gone up a lot in the past couple of years. Don't ask me why. I don't think they are all that great except as plinkers. I see sellers asking $500 plus but I keep seeing the same guns over and over as they do not look like they are getting any bids at these asking prices. None were nickeled so yours has been refinished. No collector value now. Someone might pay up to $250 for one like this, maybe more if they really fell in love wit it. To me, it is a $150 gun and even then I don't care enough for them to buy it at that price. Remember that heat treating on cylinders before WWII was iffy and especially on guns made in 19-teens. No warm loads if you shoot it.
  
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