1917 Help Requested

[warkittens]

Good evening forum members. I hava a question or two regarding a 1917 I am considering buying or trading for. A guy at work has a 1917 he is wanting to sell to fund the purchase of an AR-15. He asked me if I was interested in buying it and if I knew anyone selling an AR. I told him I am always interested in any gun for sale, especially a Colt, and also I have an AR I am willing to sell. We each agree to bring our respective guns to work the next day for show and tell. Now, I don't know anything about a 1917 so I am trying to research them. I see prices on Gunbroker and Auction Arms anywhere between $400 and $1600+. Obviously, condition matters a lot.

So he brings this pistol to work today and shows it to me. The condition looks to be very good. Serial number is 268xxx range. Finish is blue with what appears to be a heavy brushed steel finish, meaning you can see the steel frame and barrel were finished on what looks like a wire wheel, and then it was blued. Definetly not a polished before blueing process, if that makes any sense. It appears original because the rampant horse logo and inspectors stamps are sharp and clear. Marked "United States Property" under the barrel. Stocks are smooth walnut (?) with the serial number accuratly marked under the grips. Bottom of the grip frame is marked U.S. Army 1917 and has the lanyard loop attatched. Has an inspectors mark on the left side near the top of the frame in front of the hammer that looks like S13 (?). Chambered for .45 ACP. Cylinder locks up in typical "bank vault solid" fashion with the hammer down and trigger pulled. Bore is bright. Cylinder has machined steps for the cartridges to rest / headspace on.

So finally to my question, and I hate to ask because I know the awnser is subjective. About what would this pistol be worth? More specifically, would I come up on the short end of the stick by trading even for my AR-15, whose value is about $850 - $925. It seems I always get the wrong end of the deal when I trade guns, but I am trying to get rid of the "lesser" guns in my accumulation and replace them with higher end guns (I've bought 3 Colts in the last 2 months ). Anyone know how old it is. This guy has had it for 25 years and only shot it 6 rounds.

Sorry for the long post but I would really appreciate any help I can get before I decide to buy or trade.

[bogusbill]

From what you say, and without pictures showing otherwise, the colt does sound straight. I once owned one that looked like it was made yesterday. The finish/blueing sounds exactly like they were made. Now it comes down to conditon. It would have to look almost new for you to come out on your AR -15 trade. I would think the colt would have to be close to 90 to 95% to be a fair deal. Not many in that good of a shape exist.

[454424]

I own several rough 1917 Colts. Any usable sample is worth $300.00 to $400.00 in my estimation. A nice example, probably more like $500.00. JMHO YMMV............

[EJB3]

Warkittens,

First, welcome to the Forum!

Maybe the pictures of my lightly used 1917 (here: New purchase : Model 1917 – Feedback/opinions requested. (Picture heavy!)) will be helpful to you.

If the 1917 is a real clean example as you describe the numbers you quote seem pretty close to me, give or take. Remember: Condition, condition, condition!

Please post pictures of the 1917 if you can to help our evaluation or if you make the deal!

Good luck and best regards,

Ed B.

[broknaxl]

I'd tell him his gun and 400 bucks for the AR and see what he says, If he balks go to the gun and $300.

[warkittens]

EJB3. The pistol I'm considering looks to be in similar condition to the one in your link, perhaps 5-10% less, but no more. That is the finish I'm talking about, with the "brushed" finish (for lack of a better term). In order to date this pistol, I guess I'll need the Army serial # on the butt, and not Colts number. If he brings it back to work today, I'll post some pictures. Thanks for everyone's so far.

[EJB3]

warkittens,

I'm happy I could help. Many on this Forum have done the same for me.

Keep us advised to developments and post pictures if/when you can.

best,

Ed B.

[Dnovo]

The 1917 is the most common -by far- iteration of the New Service, the best and toughest of the early big Colt DAs. As they were built during wartime for military use, they will not have the same high gloss bluing of the commercial models but are just as rugged and cost a fraction of their commercial brethren. Great shooters and the 45ACP is a cheap cartridge to shoot. If this one is priced too high, there are many others for sale. Buy one, but don't sell off your wife to do so. Dave

[bogusbill]

Your looking for a date, 1917 IS pretty much the date, I think most of them are 1917/1918. Except for the early ones that DIDNT have the stepped chambers (The cartridges would fall ahead and almost unshootable without the half moon clips). In other words except for the non stepped clyinders, they are all the same and close together datewise and no different price range I belive due to date.

[haggis]

I can't get very exact on the date without the service (butt) number from the gun, but it's going to be in the September-October, 1918 time frame.

Buck