Ammunition Boxes for the Model 1917

StrawHat · #1 01-09-2021, 09:32 PM

I remember seeing ammunition for the Model 1917 loaded into 1/2 moons and in a box of either 18 or 24. Does anyone have a photo? I tried searching but drew a blank.

Kevin

Wiregrassguy · #2 01-09-2021, 09:59 PM

Kevin, I found these pictures after searching here.

handejector · #3 01-09-2021, 10:31 PM

There were two types of boxes.
I call the first one "Zig-Zag". Here is an unopened box and an open one----

Ammunition Boxes for the Model 1917-img_6587-jpg

I call this type "Spoons".

Ammunition Boxes for the Model 1917-img_6588-jpg

Ammunition Boxes for the Model 1917-img_6590-jpg

Wiregrassguy · #4 01-09-2021, 10:57 PM

You might also find American Munitions 1917-18 an interesting read. It was produced by the War Department in May 1919.

StrawHat · #5 01-10-2021, 07:18 AM

Guy and Lee, thank you very much. I had seen the long thin box previously but spoons is a new one!

My search and recovery days are apparently behind me! Thank you both for the assist.

Kevin

jdlii · #6 01-10-2021, 11:05 AM

I have this one, unopened, along with some out of another box.
This one came from a client of mine who owns a local pawn shop.

While this box states that the ammunition is for the 1911 automatic, additional printing on the box indicates that half moon clips for the 1917 are included.

Jack Flash · #7 01-10-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdlii

I have this one, unopened, along with some out of another box.
This once came from a client of mine who owns a local pawn shop.

While his box states that the ammunition is for the 1911 automatic, additional printing on the box indicates that half moon clips for the 1917 are included.

Very interesting. So the clips are included, the rounds are not on clips in the box (?) Makes sense as 3 will not divide evenly into 20.

It is interesting that the .45 ACP was designated by the military as "Model of 1911" just like the Colt pistol.

Ammunition Boxes for the Model 1917-img_1441-copy-jpg

Ammunition Boxes for the Model 1917-img_1441-copy-jpg

Kinman · #8 01-10-2021, 05:38 PM

They probably did that to no further confuse a G.I. looking for ammunition for his 1911, he simply would have to remove the ammo from the clips for use in his 1911, in a pinch...much in the same way a G.I. could simply drop 1911 ammunition into his S&W Model 1917 without moon clips and keep a poker handy to pop those shells that stick out. I would think a handy poker would have been a good thing to keep on your lanyard or even dog tag strap, thats where I kept my P-38 can opener.

Hondo44 · #9 01-10-2021, 06:09 PM

And right there folks is why the Army rejected S&W's original full moon clip design originally invented in the 1870's the improved efficiency of packing ammo preloaded in 1/2 moon clips!!!

Muley Gil · #10 01-10-2021, 11:35 PM

"It is interesting that the .45 ACP was designated by the military as "Model of 1911" just like the Colt pistol."

The original 1905 round used a 200 grain.

The 230 grain load and the Model 1911 pistol were both adopted in 1911.

quinn · #11 01-11-2021, 12:03 AM

I would have thought that the half moon/3 round design allowed a reload when only half the chamber was empty??

Kinman · #12 01-11-2021, 12:19 AM

I wonder...since I have never used a revolver with moon clips in a life and death situation whether anyone would have the time to mess around picking a half moon out and not dropping the others, I would be more inclined to dump a full moon quickly and reload even with rounds remaining if I had surplus full moons good to go. I have had some experience with magazine fed weapons and have dumped a mag with a few left in it for a fresh full mag.
I've always thought that was the downside to half moon clips, although easier in the pocket, tougher to do a reload, like anything practice and experience is everything. I've talked to LEO's that talked about their rookie years reloading revolvers while under fire, not funny in a life or death situation but listening to their stories you had to laugh....the gravity of the situation is not lost. The magazine makes much more sense and hopefully has saved some lives.

Hondo44 · #13 01-11-2021, 03:31 AM

Although not designe dfor that, Reloading just one 1/2 moon clip full in a cyl is a piece of cake:

Push the extractor rod 1/2 way and the clip with empty cases falls out by itself, but just as easy to flick it out with a finger and drop in a new loaded one.

StrawHat · #14 01-11-2021, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Although not designe dfor that, Reloading just one 1/2 moon clip full in a cyl is a piece of cake:

Push the extractor rod 1/2 way and the clip with empty cases falls out by itself, but just as easy to flick it out with a finger and drop in a new loaded one.

The trick is doing that under stress. Easier to dump all six and reload. Got the T shirt. If you have time to charge 1 or 3, you have time to sort empties or pick up live rounds.

Kevin

StrawHat · #15 01-11-2021, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinman

...I wonder...since I have never used a revolver with moon clips in a life and death situation whether anyone would have the time to mess around picking a half moon out and not dropping the others, I would be more inclined to dump a full moon quickly and reload even with rounds remaining if I had surplus full moons good to go...

If you are referring to WWI, 1/2 moons were the quickest option. Next fastest was loose rounds in the cylinder and flicking them out one at a time.

Trying to remember when I first encountered the modern full moon clips? Late 70s? Somewhere in that era. I know I had them in 1984 when I built my Foothills revolver (45 ACP Model 28-2).

The downside to full moons is you can not “top up” a cylinder. It is all or none.

Kevin