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This Colt 1917 (manufactured cir. 1919) started out life as a typical Military Colt revolver. It came from a pawn shop in Columbus, OH.
The Colt was a real beater. It could barely function, and was determined to be unsafe to shoot. It was nothing more than a "wall hanger", but the revolver was solid, which made it a perfect candidate for a project gun.

I sent the Colt 1917 off to Dave Sams http://www.samscustomgunworksusa.com/ with a list of things I wanted done to the revolver. Mr. Sams said he could do it, and agreed to take on the project.

Here is what was done to the revolver. Revolver sent to Dave Sams 04/22/2009. Received back 10/22/2009.
*Tech inspection
*Build up & re-fit bolt (rebound lever contact)
*Build up & re-fit rebound lever
*Re-fit ratchet
*Install crane ball detent
*Re-time cylinder hand
*Build up & re-fit bolt (cylinder stop contact)
*Cut & re-crown barrel to 2"
*Install Colt style "half-moon" front sight & calibrate
*Shorten ejector rod & re-thread
*Action job. Smooth, polish, lighten, single & double action
*Make oversized cylinder latch & ream frame
*Straighten bent ejector rod
*Re-finish satin matte blue

The Pawn Shop Colt 1917 is good to go for another 100 years!
Now the search is on for a holster.

Before pictures:


After pictures:

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"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
- Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, US Navy, 16 March 1945.

I am in love. WOW, that is awesome!!

New life for an old warhorse! That is a sweet revolver.

Sweet snubbie ! Hats off to Mr Sams and you for sharing it with us. It need a 5 shoot custom sharkskin !

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GO-FOR-IT

That is a gorgeous piece of work.

What a cool transformation; that is an awesome looking revolver.

Very cool! All I would add is a Tyler T-grip...but thats just me. Great find, and really nice work.

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http://www.northtexastactical.com

Bocephus...GREAT revolver and from a great 'smith too!! That is EXACTLY the weapon that I wanted when I had to "settle" for Mr. Sams to build my "Fitz" Agent a year or two ago. I couldn't find an affordable 1917 at the time, and most of them I found I would have never dreamed of cutting up, so when I found the Agent I opted to use it instead. I'd love to hear how the action/trigger on the old warhorse is now..if I know Dave it is like butter! Great project, and thanks for posting!--John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

JR,
I remember your "Fitz Agent". Wonderful piece. That's what turned me onto Dave Sams!

Believe me, when I bought this Colt I had my reservations. When I picked it up, and saw it, I was thinking "what did I do, what have I gotten myself into?"
After I got the Colt home, cleaned it up, and was able to inspect it closer, I got to thinking, maybe there is some hope for this old War Horse. I realized the action was trash! But the revolver as a whole was SOLID (barrel/receiver), perfect speciem for a project. So off it went to Dave Sams, and the rest is history.
Mr. Sams worked wonders with the Colt 1917. The revolver is solid, and the action is as smooth as silk/Butter!
Probably better than when it left the Factory 90+ years ago.

_________________
"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
- Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, US Navy, 16 March 1945.

Hey buddy.....I forgot to mention, if you want some new stocks for her, Dave also makes some pretty nice ones of his own. I have seen a few examples, but the real expert on these would probably be Jim Keeney! Glad she turned out to be a winner for you....I just keep coming back for more..and more..and thinking....

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

OMG, that is a beautiful piece.

I hate you.

Call me when you get tired of it.

ML

wow , now thats a pocket pistol
robbt

Since posting this thread there has been some updates to the Colt.
I added Elk Horn grips from Patrick Grashorn http://www.grashornsgunworks.com/
WyattBurp made the holster, and I'm still waiting on the Tyler T grip.

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"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
- Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, US Navy, 16 March 1945.

Nicely done!

What pawn shop in Columbus? I might go digging for treasure.

Inspirational is all that I have to say. Might see what I run across myself.

Very nice, I think I would like one with a three inch barrel. Tony

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Tony T
The only guns I like are those with triggers..