U.S. Marked Smith & Wesson S&W Model 1917 .45 ACP Hand Ejector Revolver C&R
SOLD FOR: $1700
LSB#: 220209FH041
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .45 Hand Ejector U.S. Army Model 1917
Serial Number: 15140
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 “GHS” at the top corner behind the cylinder. The butt is marked “U.S. / ARMY / MODEL / 1917” and “No / 15 / 140”. 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. The bottom of the barrel is marked “”UNITED STATES PROPERTY””. The barrel flat, yoke cut, rear face of the cylinder, and front face of the ejector star are all marked “S”. The front face of the ejector star is also marked “7”. The interior of the right grip panel is faintly marked with the serial number in pencil.
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 scrapes and small gauges, the most noticeable are on the right panel down at the bottom. There are some scattered nicks, scratches, and compressions, some of the most noticeable are on the left panel. There are scattered light handling marks. 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 light gray. The rifling is sharp and there is no erosion
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. There is finish loss on the edges. There are some scattered little nicks and little scratches, some of the most noticeable are on the cylinder and on the barrel. There are scattered small scuffs that have caused finish loss and thinning, the most noticeable are on the barrel and cylinder. There is a thin line through the finish on the cylinder. There are some scattered spots of oxidation, some of the most noticeable are on the sideplate, barrel behind the front sight, and on the grip frame. There are some scattered light handling marks. The markings are clear. The screwheads show light use, the grip screw shows moderate use. 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 and has almost not 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 & 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. This one is an early model with the serrated hammer and given its nice looks collectors of WWI revolvers as used by the U.S. will likely show interest. Please see our photos and good luck!