Help identifying S&W .45 D.A. Revolver

[ABushman]

Hello folks,

I have read a number of forum threads, and there appear to be many very knowledgeable S&W historians. Hopefully, one of you can help me ID a revolver that I have inherited.

The weapon in question does not have a model number, but is stamped "S. & W. D.A. 45" on the left side of the barrel. On the top of the barrel, the patent dates are Dec 17 1901, Feb 6 1906, and Sept 14 1909. The barrel itself is 5 1/2" from the forcing cone to the muzzle. It is well-worn blued, with the standard wooden diamond-check grips, and has a swivel on the butt. The serial number range is 179XXX. I don't know what other details might be useful in identifying it - perhaps that is enough? I've attached a picture from the left side.

On a related note - once ID'd, are there any sources for replacement parts for such a weapon? As can be seen in the photo, the cylinder release latch is missing it's thumb lever - making it painful to release the cylinder.

Thanks in advance!
Allen

 

[Old Fuff]

You have a Smith & Wesson .45 Hand Ejector, U.S. Service Model of 1917. It is apparently unusual in that it is a commercial model made after World War One, rather then the more common military version. As such it is worth more money. It is chambered to use regular .45 automatic cartridges with 1/2 or full-moon clips. Commercial revolvers were manufactured from about 1920 through 1940 and in 1946.

The serial number is stamped on the butt, back of the cylinder, and bottom of the barrel under the ejector rod (swing out the cylinder to read it).

A replacement thumb piece and nut, as well as other parts can be obtained from: Numrich/The Parts Corporation at www.e-gunparts.com

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

excuse me while i drool...

if you're ever in the mood to export let me know...

 

[larry starling]

W.O.W!!!thats a nice Smith & Wesson!!!!great find!!!!!!

 

[ABushman]

Many thanks for the reply Old Fuff - that was more information than I could have hoped for!

As to the disposition of the gun, it belonged to my father - it was the handgun he taught me to shoot with 35 years ago or so. No matter the value, I think I will be holding on to it for sentimental reasons.

Thank you again.

Allen

 

[Old Fuff]

>> I think I will be holding on to it for sentimental reasons. <<

I would too ... and the value is only going to go one way. Following World War One the market became filled with inexpensive military surplus 1917 revolvers, and this substantially compromised any demand for new commercial ones. Consequentally S&W made very few of them for the domestic market. They did make a lot of them for foreigh military orders, particularly for Brazil - but that is of no concern in your particular case.

Replace the thumbpiece and nut and you're good to go.

 

[thatguy]

Colt and S&W made hundreds of thousands of these for the Army in WW I. Many were still in use during WW II and maybe even later. The last version of this gun made by S&W, I believe, was the Model of 1950. After the 357 and 44 Magnums came out in the mid 1950s most of the older large bore revolvers started disappearing from the catalog.

 

[Jim K]

S&W's 2005 catalog shows the .45 ACP Model 625 still being made. But they run over $800, just a bit more than the $29.95 the Model 1917 was bringing back in the 1950's.

Jim