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1917 S&W question

ginmasterginmaster Member Posts: 2,669 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited January 2007 in Ask the Experts
I have an opportunity to buy a 1917 S&W. The only this is that it has a add on rear sight and the cylinder has been opened up for .45 Long Colt. I know the rear sight can be removed to make it original but the cylinder is where my question comes. Can I still shot .45 acp through it like it is? or do I need to get another cylinder? I think the barrel is longer than this one, but this is like the one I saw. What should I offer the man?

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=63696261
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Comments

  • Laredo LeftyLaredo Lefty Member Posts: 13,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    .45 ACP and .45 Auto Rim will work in the same cylinder, but .45 ACP and .45 LC are not interchangeable.

    Since it has been modified, offer him $175 to $200 and go from there.
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If the cylinder was altered "CORRECTLY" for the 45 Long Colt cartridge. Besides reaming out the charge holes for the longer 45 L.C. cartridge. The headspace had to be adjusted for the thinner rims of the 45 L.C. No telling who did the job and how competent they were?

    My 2?, is that at the very least your going to have to get another cylinder, if you want to use .45 auto ammo. Be cause of the cost of obtaining and fitting the cylinder will be quite substantial, I wouldn't even buy it, ( unless it's a really super brother-in-law deal ) Wait for a correct 1917 to show up, that you won't have to screw with.
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  • Old FoolOld Fool Member Posts: 1,502 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Agreed, it would cost a great deal of money more to have it restored, wait for one that is correct. I would consider it "bubbaed".
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  • md1634md1634 Member Posts: 644 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Between the sight and the cylinder rework I'd wait for another one. Aside from the unknown quality of the work, if you eventualy want to sell it it may take a while to find a buyer.
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  • john carrjohn carr Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It appears to me that the gun started out in life as a .455 Webley caliber. If not for the fact that the cylinder has been bored to accomodate the longer .45 Colt round, you could have the mouth of the cylinder further trimmed to accompdate the Auto Rim or the .45 ACP with half (full) moon clips. I haven't a clue how the longer chamber would react to the shorter round as far as accuracy goes.
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  • agostinoagostino Member Posts: 414 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The only 1917 S&W's I've seen have been chambered for .45 Colt, which would also accomodate .45 Schofield. They accepted .45 ACP by utilizing full or half moon clips. They would also accept .45 Auto Rim. I recall reading that, whereas the 1917 Colts were issued, the 1917 S&W's were rejected by the Army. That would account for the fact that the ones I've seen have been in a higher state of remaining finish than the Colts.
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