My Last Handgun, what I chose when Canada shut down civilian handgun ownership.

[.38 Special]

Good eye I’m into the oddballs, though I’m trying to kick the habit. .318, .577, .375 Flanged. The .318 sits as a project still, I do a fair bit of gunsmithing in the the winter here, and have a .318 Lothar Walther blank and an Oberndorf Sporter sitting together. Even found the reamer, headspace gauge, and dies. I just need the time to do it, it may be sold as a project before I get there. Following the .318 is a .375 Kemano Oberndorf. View attachment 1125633
View attachment 1125634

Decades ago I turned down an opportunity on an original Westley Richards magazine rifle in .318 and I still kick myself for it. It was offered at $1250 USD which, while an absolute bargain, was still enough at the time that I would have had to eat ramen for a while afterwards, but oh how I wish I'd done it.

 

[garandsrus]

Anyone have the book to get an idea of manufacture date? Serial is AEY20XX

Makes it an 80s 17-4 I believe, just curious which 80s.

I couldn’t find AEY in the S&W 4th Edition but the letters around it suggest 84 or 85. Mine is from 1951 and is a “Pre-Model 17”

 

[WVRJ]

Ardent,you are doing a fine job of living life and you have impeccable taste.Hopefully Trudeau and his minions will someday be ousted and you can enjoy owning more handguns.Thank you for reminding me how grateful we Americans should be.

 

[ms6852]

I believe you made a wise choice in choosing this model for your last gun. It is a beauty.

 

[Ardent]

Exciting little twist for me, found a brand new old stock S&W 48-4 .22 Mag cylinder for the 17-4. Will slug it next and see what Smith was putting on the 17-4 for bore size. Always liked the .22 Mag and nice to have the option.