U.S. Marked Smith & Wesson S&W Model 1917 .45 ACP Hand Ejector Double Action Revolver, C&R

Sold for: $1,628

Make: Smith & Wesson 

Model: .45 Hand Ejector Model of 1917 

Serial Number: 47709 

Year of Manufacture: 1917-1918 

Caliber: .45 ACP and .45 Auto Rim 

Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder 

Markings: The yoke and the yoke cut are marked “10109” and the yoke cut is also marked with an “S”. The bottom of the grip frame is marked “U. S. / ARMY / MODEL / 1917” and “NO / 47 / 709”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with “47709” and “S”. The top of the barrel is marked “Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A. / Patented FEB.6,06.SEPT.14.09.DEC.29.14”. The left side of the barrel is marked “S. & W. D.A. 45”. The left side of the frame at the top behind the cylinder is marked with a flaming bomb proof. The underside of the barrel is marked “”UNITED STATES PROPERTY””, and the flat on the bottom of the barrel is marked “47709” and “S”. The inside of the right grip is marked “47709”. The bottom of the left side of the grip frame is marked “50”. And the bottom of the grip frame’s right side is marked “M”. 

Barrel Length: 5 3/8” 

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade atop a rectangular base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” shaped groove in the top strap. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth walnut with a lacquered finish and brass grip screw escutcheons. There are handling marks on the right grip, compression marks on the bottoms of the grips and several shallow compression marks on the left grip. The left grip also shows four areas where the finish has bubbled, perhaps due to exposure to heat or chemicals. There are no cracks or chips noted. The grips are in about Very Good overall condition. 

Type of Finish: The revolver is blued with a case colored hammer and trigger. 

Finish Originality: The finish is original. 

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. 

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel and frame show a few light sprinkles of surface frosting that are barely visible. The rear of the trigger guard, front strap and backstrap show pinprick surface erosion. The right side of the barrel shows light marks in the finish from polishing and there is a mark through the finish on the left side above the front of the ejector rod. The top strap shows a few tiny marks through the finish and there is a light mark on the trigger guard. There are two tiny compression marks on the left side of the frame. The front strap, backstrap and the lanyard ring show thinning. The cylinder has a light drag line that breaks the finish in spots and a few handling marks. The front two screws on the right sideplate are disfigured. The hammer checkering shows light wear, but the ejector rod knurling is sharp. The markings are clear and the case coloring on the hammer and trigger is vivid. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lock-up is SOLID on all six chambers. The single action trigger breaks crisply and the double action pull is smooth. We did not fire this handgun. 

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The lanyard ring is present on the bottom of the grip. 

Our Assessment: This is a Smith and Wesson .45 Hand Ejector Model of 1917 that S&W made for the U. S. Army. The revolver is properly marked, including the serial number on the inside of the right grip. This pistol is in Excellent condition with about 96% of its original finish remaining. There are only a few marks in the finish, but the front strap and backstrap show light pinprick surface erosion. The left grip has four spots where the finish has bubbled. The cylinder lockup is as good as many “new in the box” modern revolvers – and the bore is bright and sharp. This revolver is sure to find a home in a collection of S&W revolvers and/or U. S. Military firearms.