U.S. Marked Smith & Wesson S&W Model 1917 .45 ACP Hand Ejector Revolver C&R
SOLD FOR: $1555
LSB#: 211017DR21
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .45 Hand Ejector U.S. Army Model 1917
Serial Number: 147255
Year of Manufacture: 1917-1918, 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. The butt is marked “U.S. / ARMY / MODEL / 1917” and “No / 147 / 255”. The rear face of the cylinder, barrel flat, rear face of the yoke and the underside of the ejector star are marked with the serial number. The yoke, yoke cut, and sides of the grip frame have inspection marks. There is an eagle head over “S2” in the yoke cut. The barrel flat has an eagle head over “S34”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with an eagle head over “S24”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “”UNITED STATES PROPERTY””. The left side of the frame is marked with an eagle head over “S21” on the rear bow of the trigger guard. The bottom of the right grip panel is stamped “S”.
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 scattered nicks, scuffs, compressions, and light scratches. There is a border that has been carved into each panel at the top. There are some areas of minor discoloration. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is shallow but clearly defined. There are some spots of faint pinprick erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. There is some finish loss on the edges. There are some scattered little nicks and light scratches. There are some scuffs that have thinned the finish or caused finsih loss. There are scattered spots of finish loss from previous oxidation. There are some scattered spots of light surface oxidation and frost. The cylinder has a turn line through the finish. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double-action trigger pull is smooth, single-action is crisp. The cylinder lockup is good on all chambers, some are solid some have light 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: Included are moonclips, a moonclip tool, and a non-oroginal Smith & Wesson box.
Our Assessment: This is a Smith & 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 has its original finish. Collectors of WWI revolvers as used by the U.S. may show an interest, but this revolver would also make a decent candidate for a fun new shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!