Smoothbore 1917s?

[TAROMAN]

At the LGS recently there was a discussion as to whether the Army ever experimented with or issued smoothbored 1917 revolvers. I have never heard of such a thing, and SCSW makes no mention of it.

Maybe a pilot's survival/small game hunting revolver like the later .410s that the Air Force issued to their bomber crews?

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
When I was Military the issue survival round was a .45acp shot shell for Model 1911. Later in addition was a small .22/.410 over-under shoulder weapon with a metal stock similar to a sten gun stock. IIRC there also were .38spl shot cartridges for the S&W/Colt revolvers.

 

[handejector]

I'd say BS.
I've never heard mention of it.

 

[TAROMAN]

Thanks,

Confirms my opinion. I was called to mediate the "discussion".
Was glad to do this, however, as I am also the one called whenever an interesting S&W comes in.

 

[sheriffoconee]

I'd say BS.
I've never heard mention of it.

I 'spect that settles it....if the Big Ape ain't heard of it, it didn't happen.....
Doesn't make sense anyway.... .mil having a contract for special barrels during WWI???? Nahhhhh, we would all know about that if it were true

 

[Jack Flash]

I was just wondering...

Of course there was a Model of 1917 revolver (two actually)...

There was a Model of 1917 bayonnet...

There was a Model of 1917 Rifle (actually issued in greater numbers than the Model of 1903!)...

Given that the US Army also issued shotguns with short barrels for use in the close confines of the trenches, is it possible there was a Model of 1917 shotgun?

Could this be what confused the folks at the gun shop?

 

[TAROMAN]

Somebody's been boring them:

For sale on GB:

Smith & Wesson 1917 parts barrel smoothbored : Barrels at GunBroker.com

Would seem to me that would constitute a "sawed off shotgun" if installed?

 

[target tech]

Yep,
I don't know if it would be considered a destructive device or AOW. Either way, it would certainly be an NFA weapon.

.............Go straight to jail do not collect $200.00.........

 

[JSR III]

Could be one that got lunchboxed or could also be one that had some error and tossed in the scrap barrel and then "saved" before rifling was done.

 

[KEN L]

Seems to me I remember reading something recently about smooth bore revolvers used by tunnel rats in Viet Nam. I'm not sure they were 1917's, but they were definitely a large frame Smith and they used some special type of ammo that wouldn't blow their eardrums out when shot in confined areas. As a matter of fact I think the chambers may even have been larger than .45 cal and the barrels were removed because they used some type of special self contained low noise projectile, or something like that. Maybe someone else remembers this and can further elaborate..............

 

[sureshotbob]

Ken I think Paladin did a post about the VN guns and if I remember right they were modified mod. 29's

 

[NE450No2]

Durring the Vietnam war there was a Special S&W that saw some use.

It was called the QSPR, the Quiet Special Purpose Revolver.

If I remember correctly it was a modified S&W Mod 58.

It fired special "silent" buckshot shells throught a smooth bore barrel.

The round was designed so thet when it fired, the buckshot was proppeled out of the case, by the powder pushing a "folded" piece of steel, that stopped at the mouth of the case, thus containing all the smoke/flash, etc. and most of the noise as well.

These QSPR revolvers were designed for use by the Tunnel Rats.

 

[586]

this is from Wikipedia


Quiet Special Purpose Revolver

Some S&W model 29s were rebuilt by the AAI Corporation to make the Quiet Special Purpose Revolvers (QSPR). These had new, short, smoothbore barrels (35 mm / 1.375 inch), with .40" / 10mm bore, and with cylinder chambers reamed to accept special QSPR ammunition which externally resembled metal-cased .410-gauge shotgun shells but internally worked as a piston to trap the gases. This special ammunition was made by AAI.[3]
This pistol was developed from 1967 to 1971 to be used by tunnel rats in the Vietnam War. The QSPR was tested on the battlefield in 1969, an improvement and testing program ran 1970 till 1971. At least officially it never entered service. The US withdrawal from Vietnam reduced interest in the QSPR weapon, and the program was ended about 1972.[3]

 

[Ed45]

I have heard of some of these "self-silenced" rounds appearing in the U.S. but don't belive the actual gun has ever been seen or collected here.

 

[handejector]

Check out the Expert Commentary





Smith & Wesson/AAI 44 Magnum Vietnam Tunnel Gun

 

[Sebago Son]

1917 Barrels.

The rifling in 1917 barrels is very shallow in any event... it would be easy to believe that a worn tube is a smoothbore...

 

[desi2358]

In my collection of old American Rifleman magazines I have read that making shot pistols out of old US 1917 revolvers was a short lived craze in the late 40's early 50's. It would probably take me a while to find the actual articles but they were interesting enough that I haven't forgotten them. The revolvers were bored out smooth and shotshells were made up in shortened 06 brass allowing for a fairly decent shot load. By putting a small bottleneck in the brass they would headspace like a 45 or the chamber could be reamed straight and they could be used with moon clips depending on the users preference. Unfortunately the Feds decided they were in violation and put a stop to such goings on. Handgun length and smoothbore was not allowed, if they had left the rifling or added a shallow slow twist after reaming we might have had a Judge back then.

 

[TAROMAN]

Bingo!

Sounds like you have nailed it!

In my collection of old American Rifleman magazines I have read that making shot pistols out of old US 1917 revolvers was a short lived craze in the late 40's early 50's. It would probably take me a while to find the actual articles but they were interesting enough that I haven't forgotten them. The revolvers were bored out smooth and shotshells were made up in shortened 06 brass allowing for a fairly decent shot load. By putting a small bottleneck in the brass they would headspace like a 45 or the chamber could be reamed straight and they could be used with moon clips depending on the users preference. Unfortunately the Feds decided they were in violation and put a stop to such goings on. Handgun length and smoothbore was not allowed, if they had left the rifling or added a shallow slow twist after reaming we might have had a Judge back then.

 

[sandspur6]

I was just wondering...

Of course there was a Model of 1917 revolver (two actually)...

There was a Model of 1917 bayonnet...

There was a Model of 1917 Rifle (actually issued in greater numbers than the Model of 1903!)...

Given that the US Army also issued shotguns with short barrels for use in the close confines of the trenches, is it possible there was a Model of 1917 shotgun?

Could this be what confused the folks at the gun shop?

YES! The 1897 Winchester pump shotguns were adopted as the Trench Shotgun Model of 1917, complete w/ handguard and bayonet lug.

 

[Muley Gil]

"YES! The 1897 Winchester pump shotguns were adopted as the Trench Shotgun Model of 1917, complete w/ handguard and bayonet lug."

Yes, and the '97s used the same bayonet as the 1917 Enfield, not the 1903 Springfield.