5-screw question...

[75th Inf]

I came into possession of a 5-screw recently.

It was said to be a lend lease, and returned to the US after WWII.

Barrel is 5 1/2" long. At the upper rear of the frame it has the flaming bomb ordnance proof mark. At the bottom rear of the trigger guard it has a british proof.

Inside the crane is a serial number 101,xxx, and on the butt is a different one, 127.xxx*. At one time it had a lanyard ring in the butt, but it has been removed and a plug put in.

I believe the bluing is original, since the backstrap is smooth

Finish is around 70% antique. It came with a handful of full moon clips and I have been shooting it a bit with some light handloads and a 200gr cast bullet.

I understand pictures are a great help, but my wife and my new Nikon are back east at a wedding.

thanks to all,

Rich

 

[DCWilson]

That's a US Army Model of 1917. These were made for use in WWI, and a few of them were refinished and made available to the allies in WWII; yours is probably one of those.

It probably shipped originally in late 1918. It will handle .45 ACP with moon clips or without, but if you don't use the clips the extractor won't work and you will have to push the empties out with a stick if you can't pick them out with a fingernail. It will also shoot .45 auto rims just fine.

1917s have a complicated history involving a mix of military and commercial issues. About 210,000 total were manufactured over 30 years. When you can, pictures would help us figure out when and where this one was likely to have served.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome to the Forum. From your description you likely have a model 1917 Army in .45 ACP from WW I. Many were reissued in WW II for Army MPs and a few were sent overseas with both US and British forces early in the war. The bottom of the grip frame has the true SN; the one on the frame under the barrel is a factory internal code. Please do post photos when you can. Hope this is helpful.


PS Dave, now we're even

 

[75th Inf]

My thanks to both of you.

With an estimated 70% NRA Antique finish, what might it be worth?

Rich

 

[murphydog]

I'd guess about $500 or a little higher.

 

[DCWilson]

Alan's price is pretty good; I might consider a little more if it looked and felt good to me after an inspection.

 

[SDH]

Welcome to the Forum Sharpshooter!