Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this Collectible double-action revolver today for a penny-start auction, this is the Colt New Service US Army Model 1917!
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SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: New Service US Army Model 1917
Serial: 268851
Date of Manufacture: 1920
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5 1/2"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Fixed Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Brown Plastic Grips with Checkering
Action: Double/Single Action
Markings: Standard / The under barrel is stamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" with the "#9898". The left side of the barrel is stamped "COLT DA .45".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
When the US entered World War One, General Pershing wanted to have every US combat soldier armed with a pistol. However, there weren’t enough Model 1911 pistols to go around, and not enough could be made fast enough. To increase the number of pistols for use, the government contracted with Colt and S&W to produce large frame double action revolvers chambered for the standard issue .45 Automatic cartridge. Both of these were designated Model 1917 Revolvers.
Since the .45ACP was a rimless cartridge, a revolver was unable to eject fired cases. To allow the use of the .45ACP, stamped steel "half moon" clip devices were developed. Each of these flat clips would hold three rounds and allow the double action revolver ejector to eject the fired cases. To load the revolver two of the clips, each holding three rounds were dropped into the cylinder. Once fired, the cylinder was opened and the ejector rod pushed, ejecting all six cases and the clips. Colt built their Model 1917 on the large New Service frame.
It was a standard New Service with a 5 1/2" barrel and a dull brushed blue finish. The early version had chambers that were bored straight through and these couldn't be fired without the flat clips since the cartridge case would fall into the chamber too far. Later production guns had chambers cut to allow the cartridges to head space in the chamber and these could be fired by loading individual cartridges without the clips, but the gun couldn't eject them. To eject a stick or rod was needed to push each case out.
The Model 1917 had two serial numbers. The official US Military serial number was stamped on the butt, but Colt also stamped a Colt factory serial number on the frame below the barrel where the cylinder crane seats, on the cylinder crane, and inside the side plate. This causes some argument among collectors about which number is the "Real" number. The government used the butt number as the serial number and when the Model 1917 was sold as surplus in the 1960's, the butt serial number was on the government paper work. The Model 1917 was made from 1917 into 1919. When the War ended, the Model 1917 was put into storage for possible future use.
In the 1930s, there was a rash of robberies at US post offices, so the government took quantities of Model 1917 revolvers out of storage and gave them to the post office. Most of these guns sat in Post Master safes until they were sold as surplus in the 1960's. During World War II, there was again a shortage of pistols, so Model 1917 revolvers were removed from storage and refurbished and rebuilt where needed. These were usually given a parkerized finish. These 1917 revolvers were issued to anyone needing a pistol, including some combat troops, MPs, and others. After the war, they were again stored away until they were declared surplus in the 1960s, and they were sold, often to National Rifle Association members through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship Program.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: New Service US Army Model 1917
Serial: 268851
Date of Manufacture: 1920
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5 1/2"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Fixed Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Brown Plastic Grips with Checkering
Action: Double/Single Action
Markings: Standard / The under barrel is stamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" with the "#9898". The left side of the barrel is stamped "COLT DA .45".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
When the US entered World War One, General Pershing wanted to have every US combat soldier armed with a pistol. However, there weren’t enough Model 1911 pistols to go around, and not enough could be made fast enough. To increase the number of pistols for use, the government contracted with Colt and S&W to produce large frame double action revolvers chambered for the standard issue .45 Automatic cartridge. Both of these were designated Model 1917 Revolvers.
Since the .45ACP was a rimless cartridge, a revolver was unable to eject fired cases. To allow the use of the .45ACP, stamped steel "half moon" clip devices were developed. Each of these flat clips would hold three rounds and allow the double action revolver ejector to eject the fired cases. To load the revolver two of the clips, each holding three rounds were dropped into the cylinder. Once fired, the cylinder was opened and the ejector rod pushed, ejecting all six cases and the clips. Colt built their Model 1917 on the large New Service frame.
It was a standard New Service with a 5 1/2" barrel and a dull brushed blue finish. The early version had chambers that were bored straight through and these couldn't be fired without the flat clips since the cartridge case would fall into the chamber too far. Later production guns had chambers cut to allow the cartridges to head space in the chamber and these could be fired by loading individual cartridges without the clips, but the gun couldn't eject them. To eject a stick or rod was needed to push each case out.
The Model 1917 had two serial numbers. The official US Military serial number was stamped on the butt, but Colt also stamped a Colt factory serial number on the frame below the barrel where the cylinder crane seats, on the cylinder crane, and inside the side plate. This causes some argument among collectors about which number is the "Real" number. The government used the butt number as the serial number and when the Model 1917 was sold as surplus in the 1960's, the butt serial number was on the government paper work. The Model 1917 was made from 1917 into 1919. When the War ended, the Model 1917 was put into storage for possible future use.
In the 1930s, there was a rash of robberies at US post offices, so the government took quantities of Model 1917 revolvers out of storage and gave them to the post office. Most of these guns sat in Post Master safes until they were sold as surplus in the 1960's. During World War II, there was again a shortage of pistols, so Model 1917 revolvers were removed from storage and refurbished and rebuilt where needed. These were usually given a parkerized finish. These 1917 revolvers were issued to anyone needing a pistol, including some combat troops, MPs, and others. After the war, they were again stored away until they were declared surplus in the 1960s, and they were sold, often to National Rifle Association members through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship Program.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
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Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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