1917 revolver parts compatibility

[Texas Pride]

Years ago I posted on THR and elsewhere about my 1917 needing a new cylinder (it is a Colt). Another member has found me and has a S&W 1917 cylinder he is offering to sell me. As neither of us have handled both the Colt and the S&W 1917s, we don't know if the parts are interchangeable.

We both tend to think they would not be, but they were military arms and those are often made to government spec. I'm aware that any cylinder will have to be fitted by a gunsmith, I just need to know whether this part would work at all for my gun.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Gordon]

Completely different !

 

[Devonai]

A quick side-by-side comparison between the Colt and the S&W will show you that they are not compatible. Here is a link that will show you the differences:

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/M1917_Revolver

 

[Texas Pride]

Thanks Gordon and Devonai for confirming this for us. It's a shame, as finding a cylinder for my Colt has not gotten any easier in the 5 years since I inherited it. But I appreciate you saving me the trouble of buying an incompatible part.