Smith & Wesson Model 1917 U.S. Army .45 ACP Revolver, 5 1/2” 1917–1946, C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,625.00

LSB#: LSB250608WJ050

Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: Model 1917 U.S. Army

Serial Number: 89637

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1917–1946

Caliber: .45 ACP (uses half-moon or full-moon clips), also compatible with .45 Auto Rim

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

Barrel Length: 5 1/2″

Markings:
The left side of the barrel is marked “S.&W. D.A. 45”. The underside of the barrel is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”. The top of the barrel is marked “Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A. / Patented Dec. 17, 1901, Feb. 6, 1906, Sept. 14, 1909”. The butt is marked “U.S. Army Model 1917” along with “No. 89637”. The rear face of the cylinder and the yoke cut are also marked with the matching serial number “89637”. Ordnance acceptance marks, including the flaming bomb, are visible. The inside of the grips bear hand-inscribed markings, one side with the penciled serial number and name and the other side with the name “W.C. DAUNT”.

Barrel Configuration: Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed half-moon blade. The rear sight is a groove milled in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth walnut service stocks with a lanyard ring on the butt. The grips show moderate handling wear with some light marks and aging, but remain solid. The interior of one panel has the serial number lightly penciled and the other is inscribed with the name “W.C. DAUNT”, likely a period personalization from a soldier. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, with case-colored hammer and trigger.

Finish Originality: Original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 95% of its finish. There is thinning at the high edges, a visible turn line on the cylinder, and some scattered handling marks. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads are serviceable with minor wear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good to fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lock-up is solid with no notable play. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Our Assessment:
The Smith & Wesson Model 1917 was born of necessity during the First World War, when Colt could not supply enough Model 1911 pistols to meet U.S. Army demand. Built on S&W’s large N-frame Hand Ejector platform, the revolver was chambered in .45 ACP and paired with half-moon clips to function reliably with rimless cartridges. Roughly 163,000 were produced for the U.S. military, and they served not only in World War I, but many were reissued during World War II and beyond.

This example, serial number 89637, is a correct U.S. Army contract revolver with matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, and yoke cut. It bears the proper “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and “U.S. Army Model 1917” markings, along with an ordnance flaming bomb. The absence of the GHS inspector’s cartouche places it among those wartime deliveries that never received the mark. Importantly, the grips remain original, and inside both panels is the handwritten name “W.C. DAUNT,” likely the soldier to whom this revolver was issued.

For the collector, this piece is appealing both as a solid example of the Model 1917 and as a revolver with tangible personal history. Military sidearms of this era are highly sought after, and any link to an individual soldier only deepens their intrigue. With its strong bore, honest finish wear, matching numbers, and wartime provenance, this S&W 1917 would make a worthy addition to a collection of U.S. martial handguns or serve as an evocative representative of the American sidearms that bridged the trenches of WWI and the battlefields of WWII. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition of the rifle in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.