Colt U.S. Army Model 1917 New Service .45 ACP 5.5” DA/SA Revolver, 1919 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,050.00

LSB#: LSB260221TP042

Make: Colt

Model: U.S. Army Model 1917 New Service 

Serial Number: 228880

Year of Manufacture: 1919 C&R

Caliber: .45 ACP & .45 Auto Rim

Action Type: Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT D.A. 45”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” / “PAT’D AUG. 5, 1884. JUNE 5, 1900. APRIL 9, 01. JULY 4, 1905”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”. The left side of the frame has the Rampant Colt logo and the “S20” under an eagle head acceptance mark. The butt of the frame is marked with “U.S. ARMY MODEL 1917” / “No.78040”. 

Barrel Length: 5.5”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a tall ‘shark fin’ style blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” shaped groove on the top strap.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece, smooth walnut. There are handling marks. There are noticeable compression marks and scratches on both panels. There are some minor chips on the bottom, right panel. There is some material loss on the left panel at the bottom. Inside the grips have the matching serial number penciled. There is a lanyard loop attached to the bottom of the frame. Overall, the grips rate in about Very Good condition for their age.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is defined, yet has smoothed. There is erosion and light pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 82% of its current metal finish. There is finish loss noticeably around the front and back straps. There are scratches and very minor nicks. There is corrosion freckling and staining throughout the metal surfaces. The cylinder shows a turn line. The screw heads are sharp with tool marks. The markings are clear and legible. Overall, this revolver rates in Very Good condition

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The single action trigger pull is crisp and the double action is smooth. The lockup is tight with very minimal play at each chamber. There is no endshake. 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: None.

Our Assessment:  The Colt U.S. Army Model 1917 was developed during World War I to supplement production of the M1911 pistol, adapting Colt’s large-frame New Service revolver to fire .45 ACP ammunition by use of half-moon clips. Built on one of Colt’s strongest double-action revolver platforms, the Model 1917 provided American forces with a reliable sidearm chambered for the same cartridge as the standard service pistol. The later .45 Auto Rim cartridge was introduced specifically to allow these revolvers to be fired without clips, further extending their practical use after military service. This 1919 example, marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and “U.S. ARMY MODEL 1917,” carries the correct military character of the type, including the eagle head acceptance mark, lanyard loop, and plain walnut stocks.

This revolver retains approximately 82% of its original blue finish, showing honest age and service wear with finish loss on the grip straps, scattered scratches, corrosion freckling, staining, and a visible cylinder turn line. The 5.5″ barrel wears the distinctive fixed “shark fin” front sight with a U-notch rear groove in the top strap, typical of these service revolvers. The bore is semi-bright with defined but smoothed rifling and rates 5 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion, showing erosion and light pitting throughout. The smooth walnut grips show handling marks, compression dents, scratches, small chips, and minor material loss, but remain in Very Good condition for their age and are penciled internally with the matching serial number. Mechanically, the action functions correctly with a crisp single-action pull, smooth double-action, tight lockup, minimal play, and no end shake. This is a solid and historically significant Colt Model 1917 with desirable U.S. military markings and clear World War I service lineage. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY