1917 Commercial Model

[Odessa Straight]

I have this .45 S&W D.A. .45 that I'm trying to find out more about. I know from searching and reading here that it's a commercial version of the M 1917 revolver.

The serial # is 178XXX as on the butt and cylinder. It's in excellent condition cosmetically and mechanically with a couple of chips in the bottom edges of the checkered walnut grips. I think this 1917 was made in the mid 1920s and the guy I got it from said that it was once carried by some law enforcement officer in Virginia. I've shot in a couple of local pistol matches with it, but don't want to take a chance of getting it out of time or beating it up. I probably should just buy a newer Model 25 for the pistol matches and give this old girl a much deserved rest.

If anyone can give me any more information about this fine old revolver it would be appreciated.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

1917 revolvers are real popular items here among the members. I have a commercial model with a 1806xx serial number that shipped in January 1936.

There should be a SN under the barrel as well. The front sight on your revolver has been modified into a ramp. It started out life as a half moon style.

The right grip may still have the SN written in pencil.

Also, the finish looks to be parkerized. Standard finish for the 1917 was blue.

All in all, you have a nice 'un.

 

[beagleye]

Shoot iiittt!!!

I don't think that gun wants rest. I think it want to shoot and then be cleaned then repeat. If you take care of it, I don't think you will hurt it by shooting it, normal pressure loads of course.

 

[Odessa Straight]

Thanks, I appreciate any info..and advise to just go ahead and shoot it . The finish doesn't look and feel like Parked guns I have. I think my cheap camera makes it look Parked. All of the lettering is still very sharp (except the "Lorton Va stamp added later).

One marking I forgot to mention just below the, "Made In The U.S.A" stamp, is a light stamp that has some letters I can't make out and then Lorton Va. Is that an import stamp? I've heard of Lorton prison, but doubt that mark is anything more than an import stamp.

Since any real collector value has already been greatly reduced, it's crossed my mind to send this 1917 to a smith who will either shorten the barrel to 4 inches and install a new front sight or use another 4 inch barrel to make it "legal" for IDPA pistol matches.

 

[bigmtnman]

Isn't, or wasn't there a prison in Lorton Va. This may have been an issued guard's weapon.

 

[Odessa Straight]

Looking around, online, I did find there was a Lorton Penitentiary until a few years ago (the guards did carry firearms), but my guess is that somehow this revolver went from the U.S. and was imported back into the U.S. and that's an import stamp. I made the stamp out to be
..Odin Lorton Va.. and I see, online, other firearms with that same stamp. The front sight is really well done. I mean I wish it was left original, but the face of the ramp even has very fine serrations cut to help block the glare when sighting. She's an elegant old girl, cut sight, stamp and all, and I'll probably not bring myself to have her hacked on anymore with new barrel or sights.

 

[mtb1bkr]

Smith wouldn't work on your gun, they don't work on older guns, I don't remember the age cuttoff, but I know the non-model marked guns are all too old. I wouldn't say any collector value is greatly reduced, the work to it seems to be done well, and may very well have been an armory mark from the prison. As far as Odin, it could be the name of a guard, there are a lot of Odin's listed around Lorton Virginia.

Bill