Please Help: Colt 1917 .45ACP

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DanyV

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Hi Guys,

I Just picked up a Colt model 1917 revolver .45 ACP in very nice condition.
Although I am enclined towards autoloaders, this revolver is really growing
on me quick. Is there anyone out there who could give me a bit of history
on these guns? Also, there is one issue with it... the original wood grips
are a little loose and kind of old fashioned for my taste. Does anyone know
if more modern grips are available? The gun is all original and on the bottom
side of the barrel it has "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" ingraved on it. My
understanding is that it was made in 1919 which is hard to believe considering
how tight it seems and how well it shoots. Any info is greatly appreciated.


Kind regards.

D.
 
Colt Revolver..

1st step: Google you make and model of revolver. You should get plenty details to start.
2: Most likely a member of the board might have some little known historical fact (or fiction) on how this firearm came into use, tests, trials etc.

If it shoots well and you like it, they are the two primary factors why should should keep it. If it's worth a lot of $$'s take REAL good care of it !!
 
To start, these revolvers were made for the U.S. in WW1 Army as they could not get enough 1911's made. They asked Colt & S&W to sell them 45 revolvers in 45ACP. Smith & WEsson come up with the moon clip concept.
They are essentially commercial revolvers marked U.S. Property as they were sold to the Government. They were very well made & fitted.
Although not are they are not common & are a piece of history.
as Python 357 said, search on it. There is lots of information available.
Enjoy it.
 
As above, basically it's a Colt New Service. I sold one on here a couple of years ago. Early versions had straight bored through cylinders, and can only be fired with the clips or with 45AR ammo. Later ones have the shoulder step inside the cylinder chambers. They are a nice, big, old gun. I probably should have kept mine, but I had quite a few 45 ACP revolvers at the time and was cleaning some out. - dan
 
1917

Hey there DanyV
I probably paid as much for "The Book Of Colt Firearms" as you did for your revolver so I might as well use it to pass on some of the info in it for you.
Your gun is a variation of the New Service model and as stated it was used to supplement the need for small arms in WWI. Exactly 151,700 units were sold to the US government with the serial number range being 150000-301000. Barrels were 5 1/2" with your stamp on the underside, side plate rampant colt stamp and a variety of inspector markings. Plain walnut grips and lanyard swivels were standard. Butt markings should be U.S./ARMY/MODEL/1917/No/###/### with the first No. being 1 and the last being 151700. Calibers were either 45 Colt or 45 ACP, the latter requiring the "moon" clip.
A total of 356,000 New Service variants were manufactured through 1898-1944 so there is a chance that you might find some original grips to fit ($EBAY$) or you could try Numrich's for repros if you're not concerned with keeping the gun original and correct, if that is the case then you could just wrap them in Duct tape but of course then you would have to forfeit ownership of the gun and immediately sent it to the address I will be suppling you in a PM. Is there matching ser. no. on the inside of the grips?
Sounds like a fun gun.
Cheers,
Blair
 
Blair,

The gun is exactly as you describe. The SN starts with 17x ### but I do not see it on the inside of the wooden grips. They were loose because someone overtightened the screw and pulled it half way throurgh the wood. I carefully repaired it over the weekend so now they're tight again, yet still a little slim for my hand. I think I'll just look for one of those elastic rubber deals that stretch over the grips that I remember seeing somewhere. Funny thing is that when you flip open the cylinder, the original SN on the arm that holds the cylinder (don't know the proper term) has been x'ed over and the one matching the frame restamped above it. Can I assume that this was part of some factory reconditioning process?

Python & Colin,
I did some searching on the web and it would seem that i paid about half of they they sell for in the US, kind glad it's not worth too much because I do want to shoot it a lot. Love the small sights. I got to testfire it right on the spot where I bought it, only a couple of shots but they went exactly where I aimed which really impressed me. Yup, this one is a keeper ;-).

Dan,

I got two of the full moon clips with it for the .45 ACP. Wouldn't mind finding a few more somewhere. Still not sure if you can actually fire the longer rimmed Colt 45 out of this gun. I'm not really planning to ever even try but would like to know.

Thank you all for all the helpful info guys, looks like a new revolver fan is born :)

D.
 
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