.45 Hand Ejector U S Army, Model 1917

[Dino44]

This past Saturday I was out scouting for my next possible acquisition. I came across this example. I ask your help in assessing its value. The overwhelming majority of my collection consists of models dating from the nineteen fifties to the nineteen eighties and beyond. I returned today to examine it more closely and get a couple of photos. It looks all original to me. The serial #1273XX is in all the correct places. Butt, barrel flat, rear cylinder face, crane, ejector star, and in pencil on the right grip panel. Based on what I've read on the forum and in the 4TH Edition, this one has the "Flaming Bomb stamp and various others on the frame and in the cylinder flutes. There is also patent information and dates on the top of the barrel and United States Property on the bottom. The right side of the barrel appears to have British proof marks NP arm & sword 45 .900 7 Ton. The blast shield does not have a great deal of ware or bullet depressions. Timing and lock-up seem good. There is no push off and minimal end shake. the trigger functioned well but felt a little stiff or sluggish. The bore and cylinders don't appear pitted but may have a slight patina. I couldn't tell as the gun had a greasy feeling inside and out. As you may see in one photo. There is a cash offer stated of $1200. When I spoke to the owner Saturday, I told him I wanted to get better educated on this model. His parting words were, "it's been sitting awhile, if I wish to make an offer, he is open to that". Note: not captured in the photos, there is a number of dings and scratches.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

BTW October 1918 production.

Handsome revolver and thank you for sharing.

 

[peyton]

Stop sitting there and go buy the dang thing!!

 

[Hawg Rider]

Stop sitting there and go buy the dang thing!!

+1...go buy it! It may not be perfect, but it's all matching and it is 106 years old. And it may also have seen action overseas in WWI given its condition. If the owner is willing to accept a cash offer from you, perhaps start at $900 and see what happens. I think $1200 is the absolute high end, but it depends upon how much you want the revolver. My Model of 1917 (132922) is just a little younger than yours, I believe December 1918. Mine's in pretty nice shape but the stocks are from another revolver. Go get it, shoot it, and enjoy it!

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... My Model of 1917 (132922) is just a little younger than yours, I believe December 1918. Mine's in pretty nice shape but the stocks are from another revolver. Go get it, shoot it, and enjoy it!

The year of manufacture for serial number 132922 is November 1918.

U.S. Military Dates of Manufacture

 

[StrawHat]

OP,

With that acceptance date, it did not see service in WW I. The British marks? Without close ups all you can say is it was proofed at 7 tons. Some of the marks will tell you which proof house tested it. Others when. Others if it was sold out of service. But to tell anything, we need to see the marks.

Around here, that revolver would fetch $800-900.

Kevin

 

[JSR III]

I am not an expert on these although I did own 3 at one point. I'm down to 2 because the club gun now resides in the club gun museum in Warren, MA.

Your gun may not have seen action in WW1 however the British proof marks may signify that it served in WW2 as a lend lease gun.

I have 59602 from 5/1918 and 55547 also from 5/1918. I don't have a date for the club gun 0274 but it was given by S&W to a Lt. Trego who was in charge of overseeing production of this model for the US Army working out of the Springfield Armory. I always wondered about Smith and Wesson giving the head inspector a personal example???

It remains the only S&W that I have sold in 53 years of collecting Smiths and part of me still regrets it.

I agree with many of those above that say go buy it. Many are in rough shape and this one seems fine. The action may be full of dried up grease so a good bath may turn it smooth as butter.

 

[Hawg Rider]

The year of manufacture for serial number 132922 is November 1918.

U.S. Military Dates of Manufacture

Thanks Sarge...I'll update my notes.

 

[murphydog]

It was likely a WW II export to England during the time when invasion seemed imminent. But they still had time to individually proof test and stamp each gun…”yes yes, the Jerries are knocking at our doorstep but protocol has to be followed, you know…”.

 

[old bear]

It was likely a WW II export to England during the time when invasion seemed imminent. But they still had time to individually proof test and stamp each gun…”yes yes, the Jerries are knocking at our doorstep but protocol has to be followed, you know…”.

Come hell or high water, ya just gotta love the Brits and their way of doing things properly

 

[handejector]

It was likely a WW II export to England during the time when invasion seemed imminent. But they still had time to individually proof test and stamp each gun…”yes yes, the Jerries are knocking at our doorstep but protocol has to be followed, you know…”.

They were proofed after the War when they were surplussed out.

 

[Wilson Custom Guns]

A British opinion...
the marks (NP arm & sword 45 .900 7 Ton)
That is a London Commercial proof , they started using the arm and scimitar in 1904 to indicate Nitro Proof. The rest of it is .45 calibre, .900" case length, 7 tons proof pressure.

The ones we see over here that were Lease-Lend in WW2 are mostly marked UNITED STATES PROPERTY on the underside of the barrel and have Broad-Arrow acceptance marks.

If there is the UNITED STATES PROPERTY on the underside of the barrel and no Broad-Arrows it's quite likely USAAF issue from WW2 that went into the UK civilian market after the war.

I have one Sn 12415* which has no Broad Arrows and floated up from "grandad's attic" a few years ago.
This is quite a regular occurrence but the N-frame S&Ws are mostly 2nd Model Hand Ejectors and Triple locks in .455 Eley.

 

[Mike LaNier]

I have #14229, with all the appropriate markings, the concave top grips, GHS stamp, and the striations on the hammer, circa 1917; I bought it years ago for $600. Out here on the left coast, really nice ones are now going for $1500 and up, particularly if they have the belt and holster with them. S&W made a bunch of them, but they did get used up! If I was in the market, that is a nice gun...