S&W U.S. Army Mod 1917 - The Firearms Forum

BlackGun · 10-28-2003, 10:50 AM

We have just received a Smith & Wesson, marked on the butt as U.S. Army Mod 1917. On the barrel it has S& W D.A.45. The gun is rough and need a lot of TLC. Can anyone identify this piece and tell us it's value before restoration!

BlackGun · 10-28-2003, 10:51 AM

another picture

BlackGun · 10-28-2003, 10:51 AM

another one!

BlackGun · 10-28-2003, 10:08 PM

No stop! Thud!

BlackGun · 10-28-2003, 10:10 PM

Soooooooooooo! I'm proud of my work ! Still what do I have?

10-29-2003, 05:55 AM

BG, looks to me like you turned that sows-ear into a silk-purse

From what I see, it has a 6 digit s/n, that is throwing me off, for it to be an early mdl. hand ejector.

SouthernMoss · 10-29-2003, 07:11 AM

Wow, BlackGun! Awesome job! It doesn't even look like the same gun.

Xracer · 10-29-2003, 07:16 AM

Your revolver is just what it says it is...a Smith & Wesson Model 1917.

As the U.S. approached entry into WWI, the Gov't realized that they would need a lot of sidearms for our rapidly expanding military. Colt, Remington, and Springfield Armory were at maximum capacity producing M1911s, and they couldn't make enough sidearms to satisfy the need.

Both Colt and S&W had large-frame revolvers that could be easily converted to .45ACP, so the Gov't contracted with them to produce them for our military forces.

The Colt New Service became the Colt Model 1917, and Smith .44 Hand Ejector (2nd Model) was converted to .45ACP to become the S&W Model 1917. S&W made 153,311 Model 1917s.

Your gun had the wrong grips and was missing the lanyard loop (it went thru that hole in the butt). In the condition it was in with the pits, finish, wrong grips, missing lanyard loop......I'd say it was worth about $150.

Refinishing destroyed any collector value.....but in the condition it was in, it didn't have much anyway.

So, give it a nice blue job, tune it up, and you've got a nice big-bore shooter.

10-28-2003, 10:50 AM	#1
BlackGun Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 4,512	S&W U.S. Army Mod 1917 We have just received a Smith & Wesson, marked on the butt as U.S. Army Mod 1917. On the barrel it has S& W D.A.45. The gun is rough and need a lot of TLC. Can anyone identify this piece and tell us it's value before restoration! Attached Images __________________ He who angers you, controls you! an armed man is a citizen an unarmed man is a subject a disarmed man is a slave --> Last edited by BlackGun; 10-28-2003 at 09:53 PM..

10-28-2003, 10:51 AM	#2
BlackGun Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 4,512	more pictures another picture Attached Images __________________ He who angers you, controls you! an armed man is a citizen an unarmed man is a subject a disarmed man is a slave

10-28-2003, 10:51 AM	#3
BlackGun Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 4,512	a 3rd picture another one! Attached Images __________________ He who angers you, controls you! an armed man is a citizen an unarmed man is a subject a disarmed man is a slave

10-28-2003, 10:08 PM	#4
BlackGun Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 4,512	12 hours later No stop! Thud! Attached Images __________________ He who angers you, controls you! an armed man is a citizen an unarmed man is a subject a disarmed man is a slave

10-28-2003, 10:10 PM	#5
BlackGun Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 4,512	OK! Soooooooooooo! I'm proud of my work ! Still what do I have? Attached Images __________________ He who angers you, controls you! an armed man is a citizen an unarmed man is a subject a disarmed man is a slave

10-29-2003, 05:55 AM	#6
Zigzag2 Adnanced Senior Member Posts: n/a	BG, looks to me like you turned that sows-ear into a silk-purse From what I see, it has a 6 digit s/n, that is throwing me off, for it to be an early mdl. hand ejector.

10-29-2003, 07:11 AM	#7
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Wow, BlackGun! Awesome job! It doesn't even look like the same gun. __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

10-29-2003, 07:16 AM	#8
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Your revolver is just what it says it is...a Smith & Wesson Model 1917. As the U.S. approached entry into WWI, the Gov't realized that they would need a lot of sidearms for our rapidly expanding military. Colt, Remington, and Springfield Armory were at maximum capacity producing M1911s, and they couldn't make enough sidearms to satisfy the need. Both Colt and S&W had large-frame revolvers that could be easily converted to .45ACP, so the Gov't contracted with them to produce them for our military forces. The Colt New Service became the Colt Model 1917, and Smith .44 Hand Ejector (2nd Model) was converted to .45ACP to become the S&W Model 1917. S&W made 153,311 Model 1917s. Your gun had the wrong grips and was missing the lanyard loop (it went thru that hole in the butt). In the condition it was in with the pits, finish, wrong grips, missing lanyard loop......I'd say it was worth about $150. Refinishing destroyed any collector value.....but in the condition it was in, it didn't have much anyway. So, give it a nice blue job, tune it up, and you've got a nice big-bore shooter.