new revolver... what is it?

[Lemonade52k]

My Dad just purchased a new Smith and Wesson Revolver, we dont know much about it but from what we can tell it is a five screw model and is chambered in 45acp. on the barrel it says 45DA. any help would be very appreciated.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

At first glance, it appears to be a 1917. However, we need more info, as there were several different types of 1917s-military, commercial, Brazilian contract and post WW II.

We need the serial number from the butt. Are there any US ARMY markings on the butt? Also, a picture of the right side would be helpful.

It appears to have been nickeled. The grips are incorrect. They are probably plastc stag replacements from the 1950s.

 

[Otreb]

Looks like nickel m1917 with Franzites.

 

[Lemonade52k]

thanks for the welcome,
i was doing some exploring on the internet before i posted this thread and i also thought it may be a 1917 but the nickel was throwing me off. as soon as i can get some more information about it ill be sure to post it on here. thanks for the help.

 

[Lemonade52k]

i received some new information about the gun, the serial number that we found on the frame and on the cylinder is 15801. we couldn't find any kind of US army stampings on it as well. also it has patent numbers of 1901, 1908, and 1909. the one main question i have is if this gun came from smith with nickel plating or if it was done later on my the original owner of the gun. thank you again for all your help.

 

[glowe]

. . . i also thought it may be a 1917 but the nickel was throwing me off.

The reason why the nickel is throwing you off is that the gun has been refinished. It is obvious that the cylinder flutes and edges are rounded due to improper buffing. The proper model designation is .45 Hand Ejector, U.S. Service Model of 1917, and that one would have shipped in 1918. Looking at the picture, either the cylinder is not fully locked in battery of the ejector rod is bent as to not allow the front locking pin to seat in the ejector knob.

 

[murphydog]

Here is a post for ID information:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/326458-identify-your-gun.html

If this is the number from the flat bottom of the grip frame and rear cylinder face (the side the rounds are loaded), it is a 1917 Army; a Commercial or 1937 Brazilian will have a much later number. This number should also be on the barrel flat, near the ejector rod.

However, this number from the butt should read U.S. ARMY MODEL 1917 No. 15801, which should make the ID easy. An original pre-war model 1917 of any variety in nickel would be exceedingly rare, and with the different stocks and missing lanyard ring (from the butt) a refinish is highly likely.

 

[glowe]

. . . An original pre-war model 1917 of any variety in nickel would be exceedingly rare . . .

The US entered WWI in April 1917 and it is my understanding that the Model 1917 was introduced late in 1917?? My understanding of the Brazilian contract guns is that they used checkered stocks which are the same as commercial N frames of the 1930s era. They were stamped with the Brazilian crest. Also, Brazilian guns have a hammer block safety, which you can check.

 

[Hondo44]

Looking at the picture, either the cylinder is not fully locked in battery of the ejector rod is bent as to not allow the front locking pin to seat in the ejector knob.

I thought the same thing at first, but it's a light space between the shadow of the front sight and the front of the lock lug.

With a 15801 serial #, it should have concentric grooves on the hammer sides, although it's right on the cusp of that change.

 

[Will Carry]

You guys are awesome. I love reading "what revolver is this" posts because of all the expert replies. I learn some much from reading these posts.

 

[Jaymo]

What's not to like about a .45 caliber N frame?