U.S. Marked Smith & Wesson S&W Model 1917 .45 ACP Hand Ejector Revolver C&R
SOLD FOR: $1232.09
LSB#: 210418FW59
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .45 Hand Ejector U.S. Army Model 1917
Serial Number: 105488
Year of Manufacture: 1917-1919, C&R
Caliber: .45 ACP or .45 Autorim
Action Type: Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “S.&W. D.A. 45”, the top is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. / PATENTED DEC. 17. 1901. FEB. 6. 1906. SEP. 14. 1909”. The left side of the frame is marked with a flaming bomb at the top corner behind the cylinder and an eagle head over “S6” at the rear bow of the trigger guard. The butt is marked “U.S. / ARMY / MODEL / 1917” and “NO / 105 / 488”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with the serial number and an eagle head over “S24”. The barrel flat is marked with the serial number and an eagle head. The yoke and yoke cut are marked with “69757” and the yoke cut has an eagle head over “S2”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”. The rear face of the yoke and front face of the ejector are marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a half-round blade integral to a rectangular base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is “U” notch in the end of a groove in the top of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut. There are some scattered compressions, scuffs, and draglines. There are a couple dings, the deepest is on the right panel. There is wear on the bottom faces from the lanyard ring. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued with Case Colored Trigger & Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some faint surface erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The grip frame has finish loss and a few spots of light erosion on the backstrap. The edges have thinning and finish loss. There is some finish loss at the muzzle. There are some scattered scuffs, dings, nicks, and light scratches. Some of the marks through the finish have taken on a light discoloration, most noticeable on the barrel and sideplate. There are a few spots of light surface oxidation and frost, some of the most noticeable is on the cylinder. The cylinder has a turn line through the finish. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Moonclips will be required to eject .45 ACP. The double-action trigger pull is smooth, single action is crisp. The cylinder locks up with very little side to side play. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This is a Smith and Wesson .45 Hand Ejector Model of 1917 that S&W made for the U.S. Army during WWI. The Army wanted more 1911 pistols than Colt could make so they contracted with both Colt and S&W to produce the Model 1917 revolver in .45 ACP, so that both pistols and revolvers would use the same ammunition. The cylinders were designed to hold the cartridges in half-moon clips for ease of loading and extraction. The chambers were stepped so that individual cartridges could be loaded and fired when there wasn’t time to load the clips, but then the empty cartridges had to be removed manually. This revolver is properly marked with U.S. markings and looks good for a service revolver of its age. Collectors of WWI revolvers as used by the U.S. may show an interest, but this revolver would also make a great candidate for a fun new shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!