Howdy
S&W had been making large frame 44 caliber side swing revolvers since 1908. These were known as the 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, also known as the New Century, but most fondly known as the Triple Lock because of the unique 3rd latch securing the cylinder at the front of the yoke. Most were chambered for the then new 44 Special cartridge.
In 1915 the third cylinder latch was eliminated as was the large underlug, leaving the underside of the barrel clear. This model was called the 44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model. Some of these were chambered for the British 455 Mark II cartridge and sent to Great Britain.
Prior to the United States entry into World War One in 1917, Smith and Wesson approached the Army suggesting that they could supply revolvers chambered for the 45 ACP cartridge, the same round the Colt 1911 Semi-Auto pistol chambered.
Smith and Wesson made 175,000 45 ACP revolvers for the Army between April 6, 1917 and February 1, 1919. Unlike some manufacturers, which had been naming firearms for the year they were introduced, this is he only S&W revolver I am aware of that was named for the year it was introduced, namely 1917. Serial Numbers ran from 1 through 175,000.
Barrel length was 5 1/2". The amount of space between the rear of the cylinder and the frame was wider than normal so half moon clips could be used, but the chambers were square cut so the revolver could be fired with the case mouths head spacing on the front of the chamber. The extractor engaged the half moon clips, if fired without clips the empties would have to be poked or pried out of the chambers. Later, the 45 Auto Rim cartridge was developed with a thick rim to take up the extra space behind the cylinder so the empties could be ejected by the extractor engaging the rims. The finish on these revolvers was not the usual high luster finish, it was somewhat duller than normal.
Although there were some commercial models made, the ones for the Army had UNITED STATES PROPERTY marked on the underside of the barrel.
They were marked US ARMY MODEL 1917 on the underside of the butt.
Revolvers up to about SN 42,000 will have GHS stamped on the frame near the hammer, for Major Gilbert H Stewart, the inspector at the time. Later revolvers have the Flying Bomb.
Caution should be exercised with the early Model 1917s as they had no hammer block inside. It is conceivable that a sharp blow to the hammer could set off a round under the hammer. In 1933 at SN 185,000 a hammer block was installed, but it was not the modern sliding type hammer block.
In 1937 S&W signed a contract with Brazil for 25,000 Model 1917 revolvers. These had the Brazilian seal and the date 1937 stamped on the side plate. These are often known as the Brazilian 1917s and they do not command as high a price as a military 1917 from WWI.
Total production of the S&W Model 1917 was 209,791 produced from 1917 until 1946.
The S&W Model 1917 is a fine gun to add to any revolver collection. They are fun to shoot with standard 45ACP ammunition.
However I would never buy a revolver I had not personally inspected.
