.45 Hand Ejector Model 1917 U.S. Army Revolver - Serial #45; Factory Lettered

J

jsmith

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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

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

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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.
 
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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.
 
great find.....

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...........
 
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.
 
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
 
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?
 
Springfield Research Service

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.
 
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
 
Two-Page Factory Letter - 8/19/2009

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:

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Here is Page 2 of that letter:

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