Smith & Wesson Model 1917
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- čas přidán 11. 01. 2024
- Next we have the iconic Smith & Wesson Model 1917 revolver chambered in .45 ACP. Featured in two World Wars and just about every other theater you can think of in the early part of the last century, these have a fabulous history to explore and a Smith & Wesson heritage to boot. Great for collectors as there are many degrees of condition available which allows all types of collectors to get an example they can afford and the fact that they are chambered in the very popular and available .45 ACP means collectors that are shooters can go nuts here.
I love this revolver. This is one of those examples that by just holding it in your hand you can feel the history......who knows what this gun has seen.....how many holsters it hung in and how many different jobs it had. Come along as we talk a bit about its history.
Just a quick note.....during the making of this video, an author of one book, the S&W book I show, recommended another book for info on this specific model. I decided to check the book out but it didn’t arrive in time for the making of the video and boy, should I have waited! This book was great. The title is U.S. Handguns of World War II by Charles W. Pate. It’s a well put together book on “secondary” pistols and revolvers as it doesn’t feature the 1911 at all which is nice as every book like this is usually 95% on the 1911. There is TONS of S&W 1917 info in this book like the strike that caused the government takeover.....answer to my manufacturing question was in there.....my example was made BEFORE the takeover. Had to mention it here as this is a great book.
Thanks for tuning in and stay tuned.....more on the way.
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This revolver was and is a great design. It served in WW I, and also in WW II. In the interwar years, the Model 1917 (along with other arms) was issued to U.S. Marines who were assigned to guard Postal facilities during the occurrence of multiple armed robberies of the Post Office.
It is interesting to consider that due to the half moon, and later full moon clips, the Model 1917 could be reloaded as fast as the 7-round Model 1911 and 1911A1. It is a very capable handgun today - 106 years later.
Interesting that you never hear that these were used much in law enforcement circles even though there were so many available after war time.
My Model 1917 has a 6-1/2” barrel, but started life as .455 cal and went to England during WW1. It has numerous British proof marks and stamped “Not English Made”. When it was returned to the US, its cylinder was shaved and is now in .45 ACP and requires moon clips or .45 Auto Rim. The original military grips are gone, replaced with S&W walnut diamond grips. Big heavy gun, but fun to shoot.
Sounds like it’s had an interesting history…..imagine if you could see what it has seen. Amazing, this hobby. It’s having a relaxing retirement now having that kind of fun with you.
In 1917: "let's make the S&W tactical!"
MoonClip Designer: "Hold my Beer!"
In 1918: Colt “Why didn’t we think of that?”
Smith & Wesson: “Don’t worry, you can use it.....just supply us with beer.”
Nice. Wear and weathering around grip frame is real common on these. Carried around a lot in open top holsters.
The 1917 Colt I have is in a lot worse shape than this is as far as the finish and the grip frame has been heavily buff. All the markings on the butt are completely gone.
But it still locks up tight and shoots good.
Did you ever do a video on it? Can’t find it.
@@MilsurpGarage Yes, but it will not show up until around June of 2025.
I have more than 18 months worth of videos uploaded and scheduled 2 per week.
The tool tube has space for six cases, you don't have to drop them.
Yeah, noticed that it did that unloading the clips AFTER the video!
Great video, I love the old S&W Revolvers! I have a S&W M&P model of 1905 1st change chambered in 32 Winchester (32-20) near as I can tell it was made about 1908. Still nice and tight works great.
Nice.
You need a Schofield in 45 colt. Not the same but similar if opened right. Kicks out all the shells in one motion. Little slower to reload, but still very cool.
I would be interested in a nice S&W Russian Model No. 3 if I saw one available.
You can find new polymer moon clips that don't require a special tool to remove the cases. Its worth it.
Would get something like that for a newer production revolver.....I see EZ makes them for Ruger and Taurus revolvers, but for an old historical guy like this I’m sticking with the steel. I actually like how a tool is needed to get them detached....they can knock around and stay together nicely.
I learned a lot today! Thanks!
Nice! Thanks for tuning in!
When You Combine All That and You Have Awesome 😊❤️❤️😊
Thanks.
All I can say is TK dose some extremely slick stuff will revolvers. I want to send them my Sectury six cylinder. Or buy another Sectury six cylinder and have them do their magic.
What would they do to it?
There was a gunsmith in the 50’s ,60’s who would modify the frame,lengthen the cylinder to chamber .410 shotgun shells and cut the barrels down to the ejector rod. The shotgun shells show no rifling to match to the 1917 so this was known as “North Jersey Hitters” hint hint
That sounds like something for the video game Borderlands.
Don’t know anything about video games but my son might.