Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present a double-action revolver that was popular during World War I and II today for a penny-start auction; this is the Smith & Wesson .45 Hand Ejector U.S. Army Model 1917!
Various inspectors' markings have been observed, and they usually include an Eagle's head stamp with a letter and number combination. Late issues from April 1918 to the end of military wartime production are found with the Eagle's head and an "S" number. The letter/number S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S9, S24, S27, S34 have been observed on various examples of Model 1917s.
This example features the Eagle's head "S34" stamp on the barrel flat!
Various inspectors' markings have been observed, and they usually include an Eagle's head stamp with a letter and number combination. Late issues from April 1918 to the end of military wartime production are found with the Eagle's head and an "S" number. The letter/number S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S9, S24, S27, S34 have been observed on various examples of Model 1917s.
This example features the Eagle's head "S34" stamp on the barrel flat!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: .45 Hand Ejector U.S. Army, Model 1917
Serial: 178602
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5 1/2" Round Pinned
Optics/Sights: Forged Blade with Rounded Front & Ramped Rear Front and Frame Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Diamond Walnut Grips with S&W Medallions
Action: Double-Action Revolver
Markings: The left side of the frame is stamped "S.&W. D.A. 45". The top of the barrel is stamped "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass U.S.A. / Patented Dec 17,1901. Feb 6, 1906. Sep.14, 1909." The right side of the frame is stamped "MADE IN U.S.A." The serial number is stamped on the cylinder face, back of the star extractor, barrel flat, and butt.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Model: .45 Hand Ejector U.S. Army, Model 1917
Serial: 178602
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5 1/2" Round Pinned
Optics/Sights: Forged Blade with Rounded Front & Ramped Rear Front and Frame Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Diamond Walnut Grips with S&W Medallions
Action: Double-Action Revolver
Markings: The left side of the frame is stamped "S.&W. D.A. 45". The top of the barrel is stamped "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass U.S.A. / Patented Dec 17,1901. Feb 6, 1906. Sep.14, 1909." The right side of the frame is stamped "MADE IN U.S.A." The serial number is stamped on the cylinder face, back of the star extractor, barrel flat, and butt.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The M1917 Revolvers were six-shot, .45 ACP, large-frame revolvers adopted by the United States Military in 1917 to supplement the standard M1911 pistol during World War I. There were two variations of the M1917, one made by Colt and the other by Smith & Wesson. They used moon clips to hold the cartridges in position, facilitate reloading, and aid in extraction since revolvers had been designed to eject rimmed cartridges, and .45 ACP rounds were rimless for use with the magazine-fed M1911. After World War I, they gained a strong following among civilian shooters. A commercial-rimmed cartridge, the .45 Auto Rim, was also developed so M1917 revolvers could eject cartridge cases without using moon clips.
The Smith & Wesson Model 1917 is essentially an adaptation of the company's .44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model chambered instead in .45 ACP and employing a shortened cylinder and a lanyard ring on the butt of its frame. The S&W M1917 differs from the Colt M1917 in that the S&W cylinder has a shoulder machined into it to permit rimless .45 ACP cartridges to headspace on the case mouth (as they do in automatics). The S&W M1917 can thus be used without half-moon clips, though empty .45 ACP cases, being rimless, must be poked out manually through the cylinder face as the extractor star cannot engage them.
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.
The Smith & Wesson Model 1917 is essentially an adaptation of the company's .44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model chambered instead in .45 ACP and employing a shortened cylinder and a lanyard ring on the butt of its frame. The S&W M1917 differs from the Colt M1917 in that the S&W cylinder has a shoulder machined into it to permit rimless .45 ACP cartridges to headspace on the case mouth (as they do in automatics). The S&W M1917 can thus be used without half-moon clips, though empty .45 ACP cases, being rimless, must be poked out manually through the cylinder face as the extractor star cannot engage them.
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
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
