Half Moon Clips for S&W M1917 .45ACP DA Revolver

[FPrice]

Does anyone know how military personnel carried the half moon clips for their .45ACP revolvers? If they had some sort of container, does anyone have any pics to share? I am thinking about getting either an original or replica holster and other items for the S&W M1917 revolver I recently purchased.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59305

Thanks.

 

[Jim K]

There was a canvas belt pouch with three pockets in a vertical arrangement. Each pocket had its own "lift-the-dot" snap fasterner and held 2 clips, for a total of 6 clips or 18 rounds. There is a picture in Canfield's U.S. Infantry Weapons of the First World War. At one time, these were seen around gun shows, but I haven't seen one for a long time. I don't know of any repros.

The holster was the Model 1909, the same holster that had been issued with the Model 1909 revolver (which was basically the same Colt New Service as the Colt Model 1917). It was worn on the right side, butt forward. This was the old cavalry style in which the pistol was drawn and used with the left hand, while the right wielded the saber or controlled the horse.

Jim

 

[FPrice]

Jim...

Thanks for the info...I'll have to check the next gun show (Mar 8-9) and see what I can find. Guess I'll also look in SGN. They usually have a 3-5 page spread on old militaria.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I could swear that someone, a few months ago, linked a picture to some that were for sale on Auction Arms...

 

[rolltide]

I have a Webley MKVI in 45ACP and I use the full moon clips. I picked up several leather ammo pouches (russian or east german army surplus) at a gun show for about $2 each. These are leather and canvas and hold 6 fully loaded full moon clips. They have 2 canvas belt loops on the back. It is the best thing I have found, but of course the ones suggested above are the "originals" meant for the gun and that is important if you are a collector.

This makes it quite convenient to carry the gun with 6 and have 36 more rounds on tap that can be loaded nearly as fast if not faster than an auto magazine.

 

[BluesBear]

Twenty years ago ther market was suddenly flooded with WWI half-moon pouches. I bought a lot of them for $4-$5 each. IF you can find any now they go for $40-$60.

I used to carry a cut down S&W 1917 off duty in a Bianchi X-15. I hung one of these pouches upside down on the elastic strap under my right arm ala Jackass. It worked great.

 

[FPrice]

Well, I have found some replica holsters at IMA-USA. Can anyone comment on the quality of this outfit's products?

http://www.ima-usa.com/p78.html

 

[BluesBear]

IMA sells a real good product. As does Pacific Canvas & Leather Co.

 

[Brasso]

I have a 625 that came with half moon clips and the guy at the store traded them in for some full moon clips. I have to ask, what is the freakin purpose of half moon clips when there are full moon clips around?

 

[BluesBear]

Because ½ Moon clips were invented in 1917.
They are easier to load than full moons.
Tactical reloads are easier.
They are very easy to carry in pockets.
They are more robust.
It doesn't matter how the center of the extractor star is made.

1/3 moon slips didn't come along until the 1980s

Full moons came shortly later.

All three have their place.