Here is a find that I made just this year. It's one of those that just pop up out of nowhere and would never expect to find at your average gun show. I just couldn't pass this one up.

What I found is an S&W .45 Hand Ejector Model 1917 U.S. Army service revolver. Normally these aren't that hard to obtain but this one is rather special. It did come complete with the original U.S. Army flap holster and belt. But the best surprise about this gun came when I checked the serial number. And seriously, this is no joke! The serial number of the gun is 45. That's right! A low two digit serial number and all the numbers match. The serial number is the same as the caliber of the gun. This is one of the 1st guns made for the war!

This gun has it's original bluing which survives about 85%-90%. The bluing is worn off the front strap and back strap of the grip frame. It has the standard 5-1/2" barrel for the Model 1917's, five-screw frame, and fixed sights. Lanyard ring on butt of the gun. This is a used gun from the war and there are some nicks and scrapes from use. The bore is excellent, no rust or pitting. The rifling is strong and crisp. Lock-up is perfect with no play.

This is a very early gun which has the smooth concave walnut grips and the concentric cut hammer. The grips still have traces of the penciling but I am unable to make anything out. Right side of barrel is marked S.&W. D.A. 45 and the bottom is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY". The name and patent dates are on top of the barrel. Bottom of butt marked U.S. ARMY MODEL 1917 with serial No. 45. There is no flaming bomb ordnance stamp or an inspector's eagle head stamps. The only ordnance mark on this gun is the GHS cartouche which is found on the upper left side of the frame next to the hammer.

The SCSW3 states 169,959 were made and with mine such a low number it's quite easy to figure out what year mine was made. I paid $1200 for everything and believe its worth it. This is one that will definately get factory lettered! I am real curious to know what that last big paragraph has to say about my gun. It will be posted here when I get it.

Any comments out there!

jsmith









My camera just doesn't have the fine resolution for details.

What a nice package. What a cool serial number. I mean two digits is great, but 45? Priceless....

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Dave

I know what you mean. What are the odds of finding a gun out there in which the caliber and serial number are the same. Two digit serial numbers are rare and single digit numbers are almost unheard of. I have never seen a single digit in the 15+ years I have been into guns.

Now if I only had the same luck in playing the lottery.

That is a superb find, a real jewel with that low serial number and a matching holster. The concave grips are neat, too.
Great score.

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John

JsSmith. You can clear up some confusion for some of us with such a low number 1917. The early colt 1917s were straight bored where you absolutely had to use clips. Some people have also claimed the early S&Ws were too. I really didnt think so. Is your 1917 straight bored or is it have the slight step for head space where moon clips are optional?

The chambers in my 1917 are stepped. I can use the .45 ACP with or without the moon clips. Normally I do because I don't like to pluck the spent shells by hand. And it makes for easier loading.

The cylinder on my gun is original one and is numbered to the gun.

From my understanding, all S&W Model 1917's have stepped chambers. The early Colt's were bored straight through but they changed to the stepped chambers. If you ever find an S&W Model 1917 that is bored straight through examine it carefully. There were a small number of them made in .45 Colt and are rare. But there are some out there that have been modified later on. I have seen a few of these over the years.

yessir, you hit a 'homerun' on that find, same gun, caliber & serial number..........I saw it with a few Rugers over the years .357 Blackhawk and 10/22, rifle, same serial numbers as the model........
very nice, ...question, the grips I see are the early or same ones from the 1910 models, has the dish at the top...do you know when they changed them to the full, round grips? and was it only the military models as well as the commercial??
Again, awesome find...........

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

That's one question I don't even know. A few experts on S&W's that I showed this gun to even told me that they rarely see the concave grips or the concentric cut hammer on Model 1917's. They must have changed to the full smooth walnut grips early on. According to the SCSW3, the commercial models had checkered diamond walnut grips.

With any luck, the factory letter will hopefully answer that question for me.

Here's one other interesting fact about the Model 1917's that few people know about. For most of the war, the government actually took control of the company. They were dissatisfied with S&W's production. My guess is when the government took control, they simplified everything, including the grips to speed up production.

I own US Army 1917, Ser # 1643, and it has the grooved hammer and the dished grips too, so it was after that.

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S&WCA #2018

Very nice, thank you for sharing this wonderful find.

Congratulations

rayb

jsmith,
An outstanding find, and I congratulate you!
My memory of the changes you asked about is kind of vague (sold my early M-1917 several years ago), but here's what I seem to recall:
The concentric-grooved hammer disappeared first, by the 25000-range;
Next went the dished grips, shortly thereafter.
Then the 'GHS' inspector's mark on the frame's left side was replaced by the flying bomb.
Your outfit is, IMHO, truly a notable one, and really should be lettered.
Good going!
Don

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OGCA Life
NRA Life

It dosen't get much cooler than this. Very nice.

My gun is definately going to get factory lettered. As a matter of fact, I just filled out the S&W Letter of Authenticity in great detail with pictures of my gun. I just mailed it out to Roy Jinks today on 7/27/2009. The usual turn around on the factory letter's is about 2-3 weeks. Even I am curious to see what the letter is going to say. This is the first early two-digit serial numbered gun that I have ever owned. This letter will be posted here as soon as I get.

Here's something to think about! What are the odd's of finding a gun out there whose caliber is the same as it's serial number?

While I am waiting on the factory letter there is a favor I would like to ask. I'm asking all those out there who have S&W Model 1917 U.S. Army Revolvers if they would share them here on this post. Any with early serial numbers would be greatly appreciated.

My Model 1917 is serial number 45. Is there anybody out there who has a Model 1917 with a lower serial number than mine? If you do could you please share it here?

It was mentioned to me about contacting the Springfield Research Service about my S&W Model 1917 U.S. Army revolver. I have only heard a little about this service and don't know much else about it. Is there anyone out there who can fill me in on the details about how to go about this or has used them?

In the meantime, still waiting on my factory letter from Roy!

Now thats a nice find and the serial number is the cats patoot! Thats what i like about this forum, you get to see the neat stuff. Thank's for posting this one.

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Stay safe people!

That is cool with the ser# being the guns cal. I have a Revelation mod 99 22 cal nine shot revolver made in 1950 (for Western Auto) and its ser#
are just like yourb guns ser#! It is 1950922!

You have a really nice 1917!

Bob

I have been waiting on this letter for nearly a month. It just arrived in the mail today on 8/21/2009. This one being a two-page letter didn't surprise me!

To protect my privacy and to discourage any offers on buying my guns, I used a small piece of black paper to cover up my name and address on the letter.

Here is Page 1 of that letter:



Here is Page 2 of that letter:



With my gun being such a low serial number, it was pretty much a forgone conclusion it would have been in the very first shipment of guns. The second page of the letter confirms this.

I asked this in an earlier post but never got a response. Has anyone out there dealt with the Springfield Research Service? And if so, how to go about it? I believe my gun would be worthy of a letter from them.

Any comments out there!

jsmith

A new member, Todd.K, is deciding on whether or not to purchase a Model 1917 at serial #19120. It is a early variation with the concentric groove hammer and the concave walnut grips.

His post can be found at the this link:
1917--keep or return--pics

jsmith

Thanks for sharing Serial No. 45 with us along with the factory letter. A really nice rig.

Here's serial number 1185,same early characteristics as yours.Thanks for posting this.
Regards,
John Witty

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turnerriver

A new member, Magmax, has some questions about a Model 1917 he inherited.

His post can be found at this link:
S&W 1917 Hand Ejector Military

jsmith

I have one of these revolvers and I am curious as to the approximate value. It is pitted a little bit on the top of the barrel but it is in good working order. Can anyone help?

Greetings everyone, I have this gun passed on down through the family and I have no idea of its value. Can anyone help? Thanks for looking and thanks for all of you sharing your knowledge.

Attached Images

IMG_0017_4.jpg (45.0 KB, 457 views)

tink737:

Without some up close pictures of the gun and the serial number all I can give you is a ball park figure. At least $500 on up. Your gun is in the early production variety since it has the smooth concave walnut grips. Can't quite tell but it appears your gun also has the concentric groove hammer. Serial number of your gun should be under 25,000.

We can give you more info, but you need to take some up close photos of both sides of the gun to see the condition of it. And if there are any special markings on the gun please tell us. You don't have to give the full serial number, but a number would be nice.

jsmith

I was at the Niles Gun Show on October 3. There were a few persons up there who knew about my low serial numbered Model 1917 and were talking about it. There was one person who was surprised to find out that I was the one who purchased it. Even showed him the factory letter for it. I had it with me to show a dealer who I am friends with.

Recently, I just seen the dealer from whom I purchased that gun off of. He kind of regrets even selling it now.

This one is a rare find with such a low serial number I have no intention of selling it, regardless of offers. The only way I would ever part with this gun is if I find a Model 1917 with a lower serial number.

This is one of those guns I love to show off!

jsmith

jsmith
I just found this thread and see that you have me beat. I thought I had the lowest serial numbered 1917 posted on this site. Mine is No. 143. I bought it about 1961 or 62 for the grand sum of $29.95. Unfortunately a previous owner filed the front sight somewhat. It is in excellent mechanical shape and it a good shooter. I've enjoying using it these last 48 years. Never got a letter on it. I'm sure it would have been in the same shipment as yours. If I've done it correctly here are a couple of pictures. ShooterBob

ShooterBob:

I pretty much have everybody beat with my serial number. There's only 44 other Model 1917's out there before mine. And that's assuming if they even still exist.

Even with your's being a three-digit serial number is a bit rare. I have seen hundred's of five and six digit serial numbers and just a few four digits but never any three digits until now. My two-digit serial number was a rare find and at a reasonable price.

Your $29.95 Model 1917 on today's market, given the serial number, would push $1000-$1500+ easily. There is one thing I did notice about your gun. The grips are not original. All the early ones had the smooth concave walnut grips. Yours has the rounded tops.

Whatever you do, don't sell it! Model 1917's have really jumped up in value over the last several years. I have turned down many offers to sell mine, the highest of which was twice what I paid for it so far.

If you do decide to get a factory letter for your gun, the chances are good that it probably was in the first shipment along with mine.

jsmith

Ran across a Smith and Wesson Model 1917 hand extractor Army serial 43405

A member of the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association has a 1917 with serial number 11, yes 11. He has a picture of the soldier that carried it in WWI.

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Don Mundell

I have a shaved TL..... barrel is marked .455...............

With the serial number..................455

Modified it is..........but it's still a Triplelock.................

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I Love This Site

I presume you mean the cylinder has been altered. If it is now chambered for .45 ACP, please be aware that the TLs weren't heat treated like the 1917s and that standard .45 ACP pressures are much higher than .455.

I have an altered .455 Webley & Scott MK V that I need to load some lighter loads for myself.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Yes, shaved and shortened barrel to match.

I am aware of the non heat treat issue, but thank you, it encourages me to not "take my chances".

In a certain way, it is actually something to get these type of matches.

I feel special.............

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