Smith & Wesson M1917 Conversion-Mountain Gun

[CundeyCustomGunworksLLC]

I recently snagged this interesting gun for a to-good-to-be-true price. It started off its life as a WW1 era 45 ACP US Army Model 1917 with “US Property” stamps and all. At some point in its life, someone spent a fortune turning it into a 45LC mountain gun. The barrel was cut and crowned to 4”. It was drilled and tapped for a target ramp. The frame, milled, drilled and tapped for a modern Smith & Wesson adjustable rear site. The chamber mouths were machined down to headspace 45Long Colt. And the whole thing down to the sideplate screws have been nickel plated. It has a brushed nickel finish. In the spirit of a mountain gun, I put some Houge rubber monogrips on it. I cannot wait to shoot this thing!

 

[loc n load]

Nice!
That is a very interesting & well done conversion. No doubt it will be a shooter. Enjoy.
I like everything about it, all the way down to the Houge’s.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[walkinghorse]

Very nice! Color me green.
And a second welcome to the forum!

 

[6string]

I'd be interested to know how the cylinder was "machined down to headspace 45 Long Colt".

The original headspacing would've been a couple thousandths over 0.090" to account for the use of half-moon clips. The 45 Long Colt headspacing, like most domestic rimmed revolver cartridges, is usually 0.060".

My first guess was that your revolver was a .455 Second Model Hand Ejector. But, you say yours is "US property" marked.
Was the cylinder breech perhaps shimmed 0.030"?

Very interesting!
I hope you can post some more info and photos!
And, WELCOME to the S&W forum!

 

[CundeyCustomGunworksLLC]

The chamber throat was most likely reamed so that the 45 colt cartridge would fit.

 

[Muley Gil]

I turned a 1917 into a similar revolver back in the day. Used the same Ruger front sight and adjustable post WW II rear as well. I did the "milling" work with a file and a Dremel tool to fit the RS.

 

[CundeyCustomGunworksLLC]

Oh is it a Ruger front sight? Thank you for the information!!

 

[quinn]

I like it, too. That could live in my stable any day! great catch!

 

[austintexas]

I'll bet the cylinder was replaced with a Highway Patrolman cylinder or similar that was reamed to take the colt cartridge.
SWCA 892

 

[StrawHat]

The cuts in the cylinder (to lock it in place when firing, I forget the term) are close enough to the back of the cylinder I believe the cylinder was originally for a 45 ACP.

Nice revolver. If it were mine, I would need to convert it back to ACP and return the lanyard stud and loop, but that is just me.

Kevin

 

[AJ]

Nice piece. Enjoy it.

 

[Retired W4]

Yep, A very well done conversion.

 

[H Richard]

I envy anyone that has the talent to do that kind of work. Looking at the barrel contour, that took some very careful filing, grinding, polishing.

 

[Marshal Tom]

That is just plain KOOL!

 

[austintexas]

I just put a M-57 and M-17 cylinder side by side and the cuts for the bolt were the same. The M-17 cylinder was cut for a wider headspace for moon clips but the notched were in the same place.
SWCA 892

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

Very cool and unique find!

I regularly carried a 625 Mountain Gun concealed for a bit over five years. It wasn't nearly as heard as I was constantly told it should be...

I now have a 1917 with a 3.5" bbl. And adjustable sights I'm tempted to start carrying on the regular. Gotta love a 106 year old gun that can still step up to the occasion!

 

[StrawHat]

I just put a M-57 and M-17 cylinder side by side and the cuts for the bolt were the same. The M-17 cylinder was cut for a wider headspace for moon clips but the notched were in the same place.
SWCA 892

By M-57, do you mean Model 57. If so, the M-17?

But, I think I understand what you are saying. I only have two N frames that are not 45 ACP, neither of which are handy to compare.

Kevin

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Very nice, Paul! Someone definitely put some quality time into that one.

 

[T44spl]

Very interesting conversion. If you don't mind for the sake of hose who share similar interests for such a project gun. Can you show some additional photos of the muzzle crowning, top of the front ramp sight and last the milling for the rear sight please?
After looking at the cylinder carefully it appears the cylinder may be a modern cylinder reamed to fit. The forward bevel on the cylinder just doesn't seem to be the same as a pre-war cylinder.
But that could be my eyes, just did an Optometrist visit and my eyes are still somewhat dilated.

 

[Kinman]

Very cool and unique find!

I regularly carried a 625 Mountain Gun concealed for a bit over five years. It wasn't nearly as heard as I was constantly told it should be...

I now have a 1917 with a 3.5" bbl. And adjustable sights I'm tempted to start carrying on the regular. Gotta love a 106 year old gun that can still step up to the occasion!

Me Too...