In the run-up to our involvement in WWI, the American military discovered that the gun industry could not produce the 1911 pistols to meet the requirements of the growing wave of new American troops. The Army turned to Smith and Wesson (and Colt) to do what they do best; build revolvers. The military wanted a revolver that could use the proven man-stopper of which they had a gazillion rounds of in stock; the .45 ACP. S&W was able to quickly adapt former models to accept the .45. The rimless cartridge created a problem in a revolver because it could not be extracted in the normal manner, so a young Smith invented the stamped metal half-moon clip that could be produced cheaply and theoretically reused over and over. The clip also had the great advantage of being a speed loader, a nice feature if you are clearing trenches with the piece. The full-moon clips in the photo were a post war invention. The troops used a "half-moon" clip that held only three rounds. I don' like the half-moon clips because they are easy to distort or break.
Colt firearms underwent the same kind of process and S&W was coerced to letting Colt make their loading clips, without charge. C’est la guerre. ;) In any case, the Colt 1917 is a different story
During WWI Smith produced serial number 1- 169,959. All but about 6,000 of them were delivered to the military with the balance sold commercially. The model 1917 Smith was made between 1917 and 1947 with a total production of just short of 211,000 produced including a 25,000 for the Brazilian government. The 1917 revolver served in WWI, WWII, Korea and even in Vietnam. (Some of the tunnel rats were fond of the weapon)
This 1917 was well within the serial sequence for WWI production, but does not have the normal US property markings. It does, however have some pieces that have military acceptance markings. I do not have the skills to determine if this bluing is original, but I have my doubts. The piece is in very good mechanical condition, and I do air it out occassionally. The civilian holster in the photo is period correct and it fits the old revolver like a glove.
One of 6,000 commercial pieces made during the “Great War” and one of about 22,000 made from ‘17 to ‘47.
Nobody like a big old bore, or do they?
Nobody like a big old bore, or do they?
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Aut Pax Aut Bellum
Re: Nobody like a big old bore, or do they?
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
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Re: Nobody like a big old bore, or do they?
The Colt 1917 I know well, but I never fired the Smith. Nice
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Re: Nobody like a big old bore, or do they?
I'd like to have an S&W also. Although I use moon clips on my Colt, I started loading .45 Auto Rim. My favorite big bore that I had at one time but unfortunately sold 
was the Model 1909 in .45 Colt. And try to replace that revolver, 1909 or New Service in .45 Colt anymore. They're out there but at obscene prices. Although they've always been on the pricy side.
was the Model 1909 in .45 Colt. And try to replace that revolver, 1909 or New Service in .45 Colt anymore. They're out there but at obscene prices. Although they've always been on the pricy side.