I have been offered a 1917 Colt .45 acp revolver and I thought I might see if anyone has any input or information. Yes, I am asking about a Colt on a S&W forum, but it's my understanding that Colt and S&W made 150,000 of these. And, I've always been given excellent information via this forum on my other Smiths.

The guy is asking $500 for it and it looks like it was parkerized and it has non-original grips. I read that CMP parkerized some of these and the S&W versions and then re-issued them for WW2. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone and if so does that sound like a fair price?

Thanks,
Travis

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I took a look at that revolver too on the local site. All the factory stampings, the "United States Property" on the underside of the barrel, the "US Army 1917" on the butt, and the eagle head with the #20 stamped on the left upper frame all show signs of a hefty sanding/polishing. That, coupled with the Parkerizing of the entire pistol, including the hammer and trigger, put that revolver into below average shooter grade IMHO.

The finish, plastic after market stocks, signs of heavy sanding/polishing, hole drilled through the ejector rod, don't command the $500 price. I think I wouldn't be interested in a purchase that went above $350/$400. As a matter of fact about a year ago I bought a Colt 1917, original finish (but very worn, almost completely gone), all stampings still very deep/clear, original stocks long gone, but wearing a nice set of 1920's commercial Colt New Service stocks, and a letter from Colt (a $100 value) dating the revolver to a Jan 4, 1918 shipment to the Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory for $500. If you are looking for a shooter grade 1917, I would wait. Again just my opinion... As always, YMMV.

Excellent information! I really appreciate it! I was thinking it might be a good shooter at a significantly reduced price but I think I'll just hold on until I see something better. Thanks again!