Colt New Service Model 1917 Army .45 ACP DA/SA Double Revolver, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1000
LSB#: 210918MW23
Make: Colt
Model: New Service Model of 1917 US Army
Serial Number: 42694
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (Per R. L. Wilson’s The Book of Colt Firearms, Third Edition, Pgs. 359, 364)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT D.A. 45”, the top is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D AUG. 5, 1884. JUNE 5, 1900. JULY 4, 1905”. The underside of the barrel is marked “”UNITED STATES PROPERTY””. The crane cut is marked “H”, “X”, “150222”. The crane is marked “150222”. The side plate is marked with a rampant colt. The left side of the frame near to the hammer has an inspection stamp, “JMG” in a stylized circle. The bottom of the frame is marked “U.S. / ARMY / MODEL / 1917” and “No / 5 / 971”.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a tall Patridge style blade. The rear sight is a “U” shaped groove in the top of the receiver.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut. The wood is overall dark in appearance and each panel has several small dark compressions. The lower edge of the left panel has a few more notable nicks. The underside of the panels have several light compressions. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Good-to-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with well-defined rifling. There is no erosion. Some minor stubborn fouling can be seen.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 45% of its metal finish. The barrel has for the most part gone to a light patina and has light nicks and scuffs throughout along with one cluster of moderate pitting from surface oxidation on the left side. The frame has several spots of moderate surface oxidation along with nicks and scuffs in spots. The cylinder has moderate thinning on the edges and light scuffs throughout. The grip frame has gone to white. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. Markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Good-to-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has no play whatsoever with the trigger depressed on all chambers. The single action trigger pull is crisp and the double action is smooth. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: A brown leather holster.
Our Assessment: This revolver was made for the U.S. Army, who wanted a revolver capable of using the same ammunition as the 1911 semi-auto. The .45 ACP rounds were loaded in 3 round half-moon clips. This revolver had stepped chambers in the cylinders, the intention of which was to allow .45 ACP rounds to be fired without the half-moon clips should none be available, although the fired cases couldn’t be ejected. This pistol will also fire and eject the .45 Auto Rim, which was a special cartridge developed for Colt and S&W 1917 revolvers so they didn’t need the use of clips. This example is in overall Good-to-Very Good condition and has a fair bit of wear, but mechanically it is tip-top, and the bore is clean. This is an early days example with a low serial number, so collectibility is high regardless of wear. There is an inspector’s stamp on the left side of the frame that we believe indicates it was inspected by J.M. Gilbert, Lt Col, inspector of Colt Model 1917 revolvers. This revolver ought to get the attention of the Colt collectors out there, especially those with an interest in WWI firearms. Good luck and happy bidding!