Is this a Colt M1917?

[killchain]

Hello guys. I got another one for you. A revolver this time.

On the butt of the revolver is "US. ARMY MODEL 1917, No. 46XXX"

On the top of the barrel is:
"COLT'S PT FA MFG CO HARTFORD, CT USA
PAT'D AUG 5 1884 JUNE 5 1900 JULY 4 1905"

On the bottom of the barrel it says, "UNITED STATES PROPERTY"

Inside the frame is the serial # 208XXX and the cylinder has a matching serial number.

What do I have here? Do I have an issue M1917?

 

[vaupet]

Sure looks like a Colt New Service m1917 to me.
Normally it is issued to the us army and chambered in 45 ACP.
To fire it, you need "half moon clips" IIRC.

In europe it is worth about 1000 €.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, it is a Colt M-1917 service revolver, just like it says on the butt.

No, you probably do not need moon or half-moon clips to fire it.

Early on, Colt drilled the chambers straight through, but soon changed to stepped shoulders in the chambers like the S&W M-1917 was using. That allows individual cartridges to properly headspace on the case mouth and fire, just like they do in a 1911 auto pistol.

The only thing is, they won't eject without clips, so you have to flip them out one at a time with your fingernail.

You can drop a round in the chamber and see if it falls out the front end.
If it doesn't, you don't need clips to shoot it.
But most all of the early guns were converted to the new type cylinders during the course of the war so it is unlikely yours has the early cylinder with straight through chambers.

rc

 

[dprice3844444]

also find 45 auto rim cartridges.check cheaperthandirt.com ,sportsmansguide.com,or google 45 moon clips and see what pops up

 

[killchain]

I've already found [EDIT=FULL]moon clips for it. The same ones that work in the newer S&W .45ACP's work in this one as well. Not authentic, but functioning.

 

[rcmodel]

These are worth the money for range use.

Takes the pain out of loading & unloading them.
http://www.ezmoonclip.com/page_4.htm

rc

 

[Dr.Rob]

That looks to be the original brush finish too. Look at the right side of the revolver, that 'brushed' look was there from the factory.

 

[gavelwacker]

I used to have one of those, but mine did not look as good as yours.
I used the "Half-moon clips" that held 3 cartridges. I found them easier to use than the 6 round clips.
David.

 

[Jim K]

I agree with Dr. Rob; that gun looks to be in pretty good shape, with the original finish. Don't try to "improve" it.

Jim

 

[History Nut]

I have two Colts and one S&W M1917 revolvers and all three have 5-digit service numbers. My research states that there were 150,000 made of each company's revolver. That means your revolver is among the first third of the production batch.

There are 'full moon', 'half-moon' and '1/3rd moon' clips made for them nowadays. I thought .45 Auto Rim ammo went out of production some years ago, at least, through a major manufacturer. I haven't checked in awhile so it could be back in production.

Everyone else's posts are correct as you can fire it without clips. You just need a handy pencil to push the cases out.

You have a wonderful piece of U.S. Military history so please do not "modify" it. If you do feel it necessary to change the grips to a more comfortable profile, at least keep the originals to preserve its originality. Please don't remove the lanyard loop as that is original and many of the revolvers are missing this part.

These are great revolvers from the early 20th Century so enjoy it!

 

[highlander 5]

Black Hills make 45 auto rim.

 

[rcmodel]

And Starline makes .45 AR brass if you reload.

rc

 

[Jim K]

The original serial number is the one behind the crane, sometimes called the Colt serial number or New Service serial number. The serial on the butt is the Army number, which bears no relationship to the Colt serial. There was not even a solid serial number bloc so that the numbers track together. The Army number will be in a certain range, but the range is greater than the Army production.

I have never seen a legal case, but I think for any serial number questions, like record keeping or removal of the serial number, the Army number would not be considered the serial number, more like a property number with no legal status.

Jim

 

[killchain]

The original serial number is the one behind the crane, sometimes called the Colt serial number or New Service serial number. The serial on the butt is the Army number, which bears no relationship to the Colt serial. There was not even a solid serial number bloc so that the numbers track together. The Army number will be in a certain range, but the range is greater than the Army production.

I have never seen a legal case, but I think for any serial number questions, like record keeping or removal of the serial number, the Army number would not be considered the serial number, more like a property number with no legal status.

Jim

That serial number you're talking about matches the one on the cylinder as well.

I don't plan on modifying or doing much of anything to this revolver. It's got a ton of sentimental value, I was just curious if the previous owner had gotten an authentic one.

Thanks for all the help, guys.

 

[ABNTRP]

Hi.. not to but in but I also have both Colt and S&W 1917's both are like yours and I shoot them often. They are a piece of military history. Please keep your just as is. With little doubt a soldier carried it .. and not for fun. Both Colts (fewer were made) and the S&W's saw service in WW I and WW II just as the Colt SAA's did. I have been offered $1000 straight out for either of mine..not even a consideration. //