Colt .45 Army Revolver Model 1917

[SARGE]

Gents,

 

I recently picked up an early Colt .45 Army Revolver Model 1917 that I thought I would show.  This revolver has been in the family for a very long period of time and was willed to me by my Brother-in-Law.  This Colt has all matching serial numbers  and is fully armorer inspected.  This is an early Model 1917 Army with a low five digit Army number on the butt.  All the inspection markings are intact along with the "United States Property" marking on the underside of the barrel.  This revolver is marked "Colt D.A. .45" on the left side of the barrel and takes the Long Colt .45 cartridge.  It has not been modified to take .45 ACP ammunition in half moon clips.  

 

The only modification to the big chunky revolver is that the swivel on the butt has been professionally removed to civilianize it.  The revolver came with an unmarked saddler made brown leather holster.  The circa 1920s holster is fully lined and has a full size belt loop down the back of the hand tooled leather holster.  The family have been long time Western ranchers so it was carried by a cowboy after the war it seems.  

 

 

[doyler]

Nice Colt George. 

[usmcdoc67]

Great old guns. I've got the S&W version.

[Marchville1918]

it has a nice look, but if it is a 1917 model it was made for 45 ACP ammo .  

[GWS]

I suspect this is a Model of 1909 Colt revolver. Could you please take a picture of the serial number so we can verify this? Thanks.

 

 

Steve

[Marchville1918]

another point to mention is that unlike the S&W 1917s, the early Colt 1917 revolvers had the cylinder chambers bored straight though, possibly giving the impression it was for the long colt cartridge.  all the 1917s were 45ACP.

[Charlie Flick]

Neat gun.  Unless it has had a barrel change it is indeed a Model of 1917.  One can tell that by just looking at where the barrel meets the frame.  On the M1909 guns the tube is completely straight while the M1917 guns have a visible "shoulder" where the barrel meets the frame.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[GWS]

Again, a photo of, or just the serial number would solve this.  I agree with Marchville and  Charlie Flick on both counts. Thanks.

 

 

Steve

[SARGE]

Interesting, as I have not looked too closely at this revolver until now.  It indicates "U.S. Army Model 1917" on the butt just above the Army applied five digit number.  So I took it at its word.  There is a shoulder where the barrel meets the frame that is marked "Colt D.A. .45" on the left side of the barrel. The Colt address and patent info is on the top of the barrel. Property markings are on the bottom of the barrel. The cylinder was loaded with old "Western / .45 Colt" (Long Colt) rounds when I got the pistol.  These rounds fit and function perfectly.  I also thought that the Model 1917 cylinders had been reworked for the shorter Colt ACP rounds utilizing half-moon clips but I have been wrong before and will be again.  The s/n on my revolver is 168XXX.  

 

Thanks for commenting.

 

 

[silverplate]

Nice old revolver. One of my favorites. Thanks for posting.

[SARGE]

Thanks silverplate.  Frankly, I am as happy with the vintage cowboy holster as I am with the revolver.

 

 

[silverplate]

I agree Sarge. The holster adds individuality to an otherwise standard issue sidearm.

[Spathologist]

Love these New Service revolvers.  I have a M1909 and a M1917, and shoot them once every couple of years with light loads.

[kwill]

I agree that it is a M1917 and if .45 Colt cartridges fit then the cylinder has been reamed to allow them to fit.

[SARGE]

Thanks kwill.