I just picked up a S&W M1917 in 45 ACP. The condition is fair to good. Still some blue on the side plates, case hardening looks good, barrel is rusty "patina". correct grips with a small chip missing (no SN#) and the lanyard is still present. It is very tight and the barrel and cylinders are nice and clean with a bit of rust in the forcing cone. It has the cylinder ledge for the 45 ACP. Unfortunately (always a but...) The US Property mark, S&W Patent Mark, model and SN# on the butt are gone. However, it has numerous British Proof marks including the "not English make" stamp just under the cylinder on the right side. The "quality" of the scrubbing is pretty nice, however John Dillinger would not have approved of the the SN# is still being present on the barrel, cylinder and star. A later production date in 1918. In my youth I had its Colt sister which was beautiful but ran poorly. Hopefully this ugly duckling will be the opposite. Would the Brits have done the scrubbing or did someone on this side of the pond do it? It needs a range day so stay tuned.
Dave