CLOSED Colt Model 1917 US Army .45ACP

LoboGunLeather · #1 01-10-2018, 12:34 PM

Closed, item withdrawn.

Recently acquired from an estate. Colt Model 1917 US Army .45ACP revolver in complete and unaltered condition. Finish is less than 50% with patina. Overall condition is good, strong rifling, no significant damage, complete with all parts, solid lock-up, all functions are correct.

Ramping up to entering World War I the United States identified a need for more handguns than could readily be produced with existing M1911 manufacturing facilities. Both Smith & Wesson and Colt were contracted to produce large frame revolvers adapted to the standard .45ACP cartridge, to be loaded using half-moon clips to facilitate extraction and ejection. These revolvers were produced in significant quantities and remained in military inventories through WW2, when they were re-issued to the troops.

Colt's 1917 offering consisted of a no frills, plain jane version of the Colt New Service revolver with 5.5" barrel. Markings include 'COLT DA 45' on left side of barrel, 'UNITED STATES PROPERTY' on underside of barrel, Colt trademark dancing pony on left side of frame, Colt's two-line address & patents roll mark on top of barrel, 'US ARMY MODEL 1917' and serial number '145XXX' on bottom of grip frame. Original lanyard ring remains mounted.

Not a high end collector specimen, but a decent sample of 100 year old military expediency, as well as a poor man's Colt New Service .45. Should be a decent shooter as well as an interesting piece of US military history.

Price is $675.00 including USPS Priority Mail delivery to a US FFL dealer. I have no FFL so if your local dealer requires shipment from a FFL here there will be $25.00 added for that service.

Interesting information of the Colt M1917 revolvers:

1. Colt's considered these to be New Service revolvers and marked them with appropriate serial numbers within that series, that marking being on the inside of the frame under the crane. US Army insisted on serial numbers visible on the exterior of the revolvers, so the US Army designated numbers appear on the butt of the grip-frame. These numbers are never the same. Collectors today continue arguing over which is the genuine serial number, and Colt's will use the New Service series number (inside frame) when issuing historical letters on these.

2. At the outbreak of WW2 some (not all) Colt M1917's were returned to Colt for refurbishing prior to re-issue. Those were marked with the "VP" stamp (verified proof, indicating pressure testing with high-pressure proof ammo). This revolver is not so marked. There is no known record of any other re-arsenal or refurbishing work being done on the Colt M1917's.