Model 1917 Question

F

Fred S

New member
I just purchased a very nice Smith & Wesson Model 1917 .45 cal revolver. It is parkerized not blued. Accordig to Supicas & Nahas' "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" the 1917s were originally blued. Some where in the back of my mind I think I have read that the governmebt parkerized them during WWII during refurbishment.

The one I got looks very nice, no pitting underneathe the parkerizing and all marks are deep and crisp. The parkeinzing is that grey=green look that I've seen on military guns of the WWII era. Any ideas?

Thanks

Fred
 
Swamprat might you be a old 2 A/C trooper?

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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
 
That information is correct. The bluing on the S&W Model 1917 is not as nice as that on their commercial guns of the period, however.

Jim
 
Jim, I respectfully disagree with you about the finish. I got a 1917 about 12 years ago from SOG or Navy arms when they first came in from Brazil. I paid $200. for a handpicked one and it had a bright, sharp and shiny bore. Although there were some nicks and scratches from handling, the blue job was excellent. In fact I use it as the comparison piece for all my later Smiths, mostly acquired in the 1970s.
 
TABING - your Brazilian model 1917 was made in the 30's, and may have had the standard polished blue finish. The original model 1917's made during WWI had the "matte" blue finish. The blueing is just as nice, the polishing leaves out the last couple of stages that puts the "shine" on the gun. Think of the difference between a Model 27 with a highly polished blue finish, and a Model 28 with the "Matte" blue finish.
 
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