S&W M1917 Question

[Dalebert]

Bought an S&W M1917 today. Good overall condition. Main condition issue is some freckling on left side of barrel and top of frame. But happy with overall condition.

Frame, barrel and cylinder SNs match. Right grip panel has correct SN, but written in pencil.

Question is if writing SN on grip in pencil is correct for original manufacture or likely written on replacement panel sometime later?

Going to range tomorrow to see how it shoots.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

From what we've seen this is how they matched the originals. A pencil written number... I always liked these guns.

[Dalebert]

Great. You made my day Jim. All matching. I am stoked to finally have one of these.

[browningautorifle]

I tried for years to get one, didn't matter if it had US marks or not...finally found and old Argentine or Venezuelan contract. It was so hammered it didn't work right. This one's about perfect.

Bring your target back for us to see...

[jonnyc]

Brazilian contract.

[browningautorifle]

Brazilian contract.

I can never keep that straight.

[Dalebert]

The first target is 5 shots at 15 yards. 200 Grain Berry's plated SWC with 6 grains Unique.
Couldn't duplicate with my remaining identical loads, but that was an encouraging first 5 shots with the old girl.

Second target is 5 shots at 7 yards with a home cast, tumble lube 230 grain LRN with about 4.5 grains of Bullseye.

Nice to see sights are centered well. Of 4 loads tried, elevations were all within inch or two of point of hold at 7-15 yards. The one load was dead on, so I will probably try to replicate those for use in this gun.

The ACP brass empties, both reloads and some Herters 230 grain ball, either fell out of cylinder or could easily be extracted with finger nails. Didn't need the dowel I brought. So this one can can be shot any way you choose. At least with the loads I'm likely to shoot. Have moon clips on the way, but I like that in a pinch it will easily extract ACP brass. I had no failures to fire with the 50 odd ACP loads I place loose in the cylinder.

[browningautorifle]

Have moon clips on the way

That will make the loading so much nicer. Then you'll go through a couple hundred each time...

Targets look good, no issues there. I might be tempted to have a Hogue grip for shooting and the original for display. Seems to work better for me.

[Dalebert]

Agree on grips because mine are original to gun and don't want to damage them. Should be able to pick up something reasonable at a gunshow.

[browningautorifle]

mine are original to gun

I just can't shoot those originals is all...