I believe the stamping reads "NOT ENGLISH MAKE". You might want to tell your friend that this revolver was not heat treated when it was built and that the pressures of a .45 ACP are in the proof level of the original cartridge, the .455.

When the US entered WWI, the military did not have enough .45 automatics to arm the troops, so S&W and Colt chambered their large frame revolvers for the .45 ACP, using the half moon clips for extraction of fired rounds. The US Gov't required S&W to heat treat their 1917s.

I would advise him to either shoot light loaded .45 ACPs or to find some standard pressure .45 Auto Rim.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!