Colt / S&W M1917

Polish-Jack

Polish-Jack

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Kelowna, B.C. Canada
I have recently become interested in M1917 revolver. A few buddies and I have started playing "Call of Cthulhu", a pencil and paper RPG that takes place in the early 20's. One of the guns available to us is the M1917. I have done the usual Wikipedia reading and some Google searching but I could not find anybody that is selling one. Are they a collector piece or are they as common as the GI 1911 that are floating around? I hope they do not cost an arm and a leg as I would like to get my hand on one, just for kicks.

Anybody have any interesting tidbits about the M1917 or where I might be able to buy?
 
WWI US issued models are fairly collectible, Colts being the more sought after, but the S&W is the beefier gun & better shooters.(S&W is the better gun IMHO).
You can find Canadian issued S&W models chambered in .455, seems these pop up more often then the .45acp versions and are usually cheaper due to the obselete cartridge.
Then there is the 1937 model that S&W made for Brazil. Same gun as the 1917 version more or less. I have one of the Brazil models and it is a WWI manufactured piece, WWI s/n and WWI proof marks. I've had it for a couple years and still haven't shot it.....:(
The Brazil models are usually a little cheaper then the WWI era pieces. They are identical except for the Brazillian crest.
1917crop.jpg
 
How often do the .45ACP chambered models show up on the market. That is the one I am interested in. Moon clips sound like a cool idea. Failing that, how involved is the .455 to .45ACP conversion? Can a competent gunsmith do it or does it require parts?
 
Most people (myself included) would look down on mucking around with an old collectable piece. As well, besides the cylinder modifications, a new barrel might be required due to bore differences between .455 Webley and .45 ACP. S&W is making a repro of their model 1917, as well as making a couple revolvers that take .45ACP in moon clips. If it's just the clip you want, thier are also .357 revolvers and bubba'd Webley revolvers that take clips as well
 
You will see both the commercial model or the US Army model around. They come up once in a while, I wouldn't say they are overlly rare, but they aren't common.

Its a darned big revolver, thats for sure, you know you got a big piece of metal in your hands when you're holding it. I thought the 1911 was a hefty piece, but handling a Colt 1917 for a while and then going back to the 1911 you realize just how big it is.

I have found that the Colt is a little beefier to the S&W. Trigger pulls on the Colts tend to be heavier than the S&W.

I concur with Nick, don't buy one to #### with, if you want one in 45ACP, wait for one in 45ACP, it will save one more collectable in its original config. Bubba doesn't live here. :p

1917-2.jpg
 
Have both a Colt and a Smith in .455. I would cheerfuly strangle anyone STUPID enough to bugger the cylinder on either one to make a ,45 ACP out of them.;)

Oh, and either model in either calibre is going to cost you due to the fact they have a lot of history, like two world wars behind them. I like the Smith better only because the Colt grip is uncomfortable on recoil.

On a further note, you don't even need half moon clips, (moon clips never were used in combat) and .45 Auto Rim cases allow you to load .45ACP cylinders with infividual rounds.
 
The Canadian issue S&W in .455 is commonly known as the "Second Model Hand Ejector". The Colt .455 is known as the New Service.....Many Commercial versions were actually purchased privately by canadian officers in WWI as the gummint then expected officers to buy their own sidearms! "Here, son-we're shipping you to Yurp where you will likely be killed, but you should buy a pistol with your own money...." That would be my first indication that I wouldn't want to work for anyone offering terms like that!
 
There's also the S&W First Model Hand Ejector, or Triple-Lock as it's commonly known. Produced about 5000 of them for the Brits in WW1 and about 100 commercial models were made. They switched to the 1917 after there were complaints about the barrel shroud lock getting gummed up and not allowing the cylinder to close. I was lucky enough to pick up a commercial Triple-Lock a couple years ago. The guy I bought it from said his Father carried it through both World Wars. It was one of the 'officers buy their own gun' ones. Still considered one of the best revolvers ever made.
Getting .455 Webley is my main problem!
 
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