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WW1 Vintage Colt U.S. Model 1917 Revolver in .45 ACP ** Nice Representative Example ** SOLD Guns International #: 101610981 Seller's Inventory #: M21-251 Category: Military Revolvers - US - Colt Revolvers - Double Action Pre-War Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Member Since: 4/27/15 State: Kentucky Zip: 40503 Country: United States Phone: (859) 276-1419 Fax: (859) 278-0838 Platinum Seller Number of Active Listings: 179 Total Number of Listings: 14860 Seller: FFL Dealer Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check Description: If you have been looking for an affordable yet handsome and original Colt U.S. Model 1917 .45 ACP revolver here is your chance.  Used by U.S. soldiers in both WW1 and WW2, the Model 1917 revolver is one of the more famous revolvers in modern military history.  Chambered in the .45 ACP cartridge, the Model 1917 revolver was added to the U.S. Military's arsenal during WW1 as a inexpensive and easy-to-produce sidearm to supplement 1911 production, which could not keep up with demand.  As the U.S. Military grew larger and larger during WW1, the contracted firms making the semi-auto 1911 pistol just could not keep up.  The Colt 1911 design required extensive machining and labor to manufacture a reliable example, so the U.S. Government decided to add a large-frame double-action revolver to the arsenal.  The obvious choice was the Colt Model 1909 in .45 Long Colt which Colt already had all of the tooling for, however the need to keep all of the ammo the same required that it be chambered in .45 ACP.  The Model 1909 was reworked to use the .45 ACP cartridge, and the U.S. Model 1917 Revolver was born.  Both Colt and Smith & Wesson were awarded contracts to build the 1917, which both firms produced until just after WW1 ended.  The Colt-manufactured double-action/single-action U.S. Model 1917 was based on the robust and large New Service frame and featured a 5.5" inch barrel, a 6-shot fluted cylinder that was cut to accept full-moon and half-moon clips, a "Military Blue" factory finish, a butt-mounted lanyard loop, and smooth American Walnut grips.  The Smith & Wesson Model 1917 was very similar but based off of S&W's large frame design.  The Model 1917 revolver proved itself an excellent combat revolver in WW1, it was tough, reliable, accurate, and powerful.  The Model 1917 went on to serve during the interwar years in the 1920's and 30's, and then again was issued during World War 2 to make up for the shortage of 1911A1's.  While it was initially intended to be a "second line" weapon issued to troops unlikely to see front line combat, the Model 1917 ended up serving all over the world in both the Pacific Theater and European Theater, with both second line troops as well as front line soldiers.  This particular example was made by Colt and remains in all-original condition except for the grips, which appear to be replacements.  It still wears it's original factory "Military Blue" finish rather than the parkerized finish applied to many WW2 reissued 1917's, and shows no U.S. arsenal rework marks (or import marks).  As you can see from the pictures the factory blue finish shows a lot of wear on the barrel, the front section of the frame, and both the front and rear gripstraps, while the cylinder, the sides of the frame, and the protected areas still show a lot of bright blue finish.  The original factory metal polish lines are still very visible on this Colt, and most of the factory markings are crisp and clear except for the very lightly-struck Rampant Colt logo on the left side of the frame.  The serial number of 203380 appears on inside the cylinder crane on the frame, as well as on the cylinder crane itself.  The U.S. Military serial number of "48898" is stamped on the butt below the "U.S. Army Model 1917" stamp.  There is a 3rd set of numbers "2588" stamped on this Colt on the frame below the serial number, below the serial number on the cylinder crane, and on the bottom of the barrel beside the "United States Property" stamp.  We have not yet determined when those were added.  The bore in this Colt is good to average, with nice strong rifling throughout the barrel but with a little frosting in the grooves.  The condition of the 6 chambers of the cylinder is consistent with the bore.  The grips on this Colt are replacements, possibly period and hand-made.  The action on this 1917 is "in time" and all of the controls are in working order.  This Colt should be a fun shooter if the new owner so chooses.  All in all, this Colt U.S. Model 1917 revolver would be a great choice for someone that wants a representative example of the U.S. Model 1917 .45 ACP revolver that looks good but they can shoot and handle without harming it's collectible value.                SOLD Curio/Relic: Yes Handgun Caliber: .45 ACP (.45 Auto) Manufacturer: Colt Model: U.S. Model 1917 Serial Number: 203380 Condition: Good Metal Condition: Good Bore Condition: Good / Average Action: Double-Action / Single-Action Finish: Military Blue Sights: Fixed Iron Sights