A M1917 Question ....

[Shootin' Iron]

I have an M1917, serial number 28XXX. The underside of the top strap has an oval scallop, some 1/2 inch wide x 1/4 inch (parallel with the bore) that appears to have been machined. This scallop is positioned just behind the cylinder / forcing cone gap.

As this is the one and only M1917 I have ever encountered up close and personal, and since I don’t recall ever seeing such a feature on other revolvers, my question then: is this scallop common to S&W M1917s as a means to channel and divert lead particles and powder residue?

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Many early S&W revolers had the fouling cup on the underside of the topstrap.

 

[Hondo44]

It's a holdover from the old blackpowder days. Not needed with smokeless powder and Smith soon dropped the extra machining step.