I'm Japanese. After World War II, the police were unarmed despite the deteriorating security situation in my country. For this reason, the US Government loaned surplus M1917 revolvers along with M1911 and other pistols. The M1917 was therefore at one time considered the typical handgun of Japanese police officers. the M1917 has since been replaced by domestic pistols, but they were still in use in the '90s! (Excuse me, I used a machine translation.)
as an MA man who loves guns. it is a damn shame Springfield armory is what it is today. playing ww2 games and not even realizing until present day that like half of those American guns came from my state. not to mention the only 30 minute drive away was pretty cool. considering how anti gun MA is in reality, compared to the likes of like New Hampshire.
@@JACOBTHASECOND same from a CT man many of the guns that "won the west" were built here. We had Colt, S&W , Winchester Ruger, Mossberg etc.. Almost all production has left now. My 10/22 was built in NH for example instead of CT
My uncle was an officer in the Brazilian army and used one of those revolvers from the first Brazilian contract. Today, this gun is with me, along with the original box.
Awesome weapon I’ve got a returned one I bought it in the 80s it’s my house gun no muzzle blast little flash it more of a thumper in recoil my wife is a fan of it over a semiautomatic
Never owned a revolver, but all of my reading tells me that if I can't get a Webley Mk VI then I want this in .455. I may have no clue what I'm talking about, but my list of desirable revolvers is very short. Also it disregards contemporary ammunition prices.
My grandfather carried one in WWI. I don't know if it was a colt or a S&W because he died before I turned 8. I never saw it as I was too young. I think my uncle got the gun, though I do not know. He also got wounded and was carrying around shrapnel in his back. God bless him I wish I could of known him more as I grew up. Thank you for this video, very thorough and complete!
When Desert Shield was ramping up, we shipped all our M9s to the desert. All we had left for SP's were a handful of various 38 Special revolvers (M15s). But we also came across several M1917 revolvers that were in the base museum (not on display). No, we didn't issue them. But depot requested we ship them back. I would assume for museum use.
When the USS FORT MCHENRY decommissioned in 2021 the armory was emptied and sent off to Crane. Inside we found an M15 38 special as well, very poorly maintained. Who knows how long it had been there, probably since the 80s
My brother was issued a WW2 Victory Model 38 Special at his request because it was lighter and everyone who worked outside the theater of operations wanted a 1911. They ended up using their sidearms because the entire country of Iraq was the theater of operations.
My grandfather got one of these off of a British paratrooper in Korea. It was made in 1917 for the British Army (in .455), but re-chambered to .45 ACP by England. I would assume it fought with Britain in WW2, and made its way to Korea before being traded to my grandfather (he had a 1911, but always loved revolvers). I still have it to this day, thanks for the cool video explaining some of the history - I would love to see a video on the British or Canadian contracts one day!
That’s a very cool story! This is less of a forgotten weapon and more of an unknown weapon for me, so it was interesting to learn about the, and then to hear from someone who has one with a real back story!
Please hold onto it my friend. They ARE lovely revolvers. Before UK laws changed, I had one for many years in .455, and single OR double action, it shot a DREAM, with lovely smooth pull but crisp break. Superb piece of craftsmanship
@@liammeech3702 The U.K. imported large quantities of .45 ACP during World War 2, as the British were using several weapons chambered for that caliber (Thompson, 1911, etc.). Converting a .455 revolver to 9mm would have been costly, time consuming, unnecessary. However, converting that same revolver to .45 ACP would not only be simpler and cheaper, but would also be able to take advantage of the surplus stores that the U.K. still had on hand. Sidenote: it's also important to remember that while some Hi-Powers were in British service during the Korean War, it wouldn't be adopted as the British standard service sidearm until 1954.
My grandfather had one of these in ww2 and my dad has it now . I’ve told him there are very few things I want after him and mom pass but this is one of them.
"I lost out" on Dad's generational family 1897 from 1897 used every day for 50 plus years feeding our Ks family farms, I learned shotgunning.When pop's passed as I had kids, and a gun safe, told dad it was the only thing "I really" wanted for the family future to an older brother who could care less, no safe, and his kid slam fired it through a wall at 12 or 13? in the 80's! Ya just never know? Dads' chioces? no matter how well you thought you know your pops? My first gun per dad's permission was a kit 1858 in 1976 age 11, I paid for and built 100% she still shoots, and shines like a Diamond!
fun fact these were popular enough that the .45 auto rim cartridge was developed for them, and yes it is just a .45acp w/ a rim- exactly as it says on the tin.
Long story, bear with me. I inherited one of these from my grandfather, who bought it at an estate sale years back. I always thought it was a true M1917- has all the military markings, US hand grips, etc. when I tried to run .45ACP with half-moon clips, I couldn’t close the cylinder. Tried different brands of clips, still no-go. Did some research on the serial number, and it is actually a 1955-era reproduction of a USGI M1917 chambered only for .45LC, not an authentic WW1 revolver. Still a really cool gun, even if she’s not of WW1 vintage.
A friend of mines Dad, was a Mule Skinner for Merrils Marauders in The CBI had the one he carried for the entire war. He gave it to his son who had it cleaned up and we shot it many times. The DA/SA trigger was one of the smoothest I have ever used.
Wanting to equip all troops with handguns made sense for WWI. I'd certainly rather have a double action revolver than try to wrestle a three and a half foot bolt action rifle around in a trench.
"Wanting to equip all troops with handguns made sense for WWI." As much as people rightfully talk shit on WW1's generals for wasting their soldier's lives "fighting the last war", Pershing was right on the money on that one.
@@georgetazberik6834 If it wasn't tanks, machine guns or mustard gas, every troop switching to their secondary becasue it was faster than reloading would have changed the face of global warfare anyway. Pershing was cash money on this.
My grandfather carried his in 2 world wars and one revolution. We, the family, still have it in our collection. It's been around. I bought one at a gun show 30 years ago. Nice!
The revolver that made it on the top spot of C&Rsenal's "The Best and the Worst Great War Revolvers" video. Love the classic S&W N-Frame. Also Ian, to add more info on its use: 1. The M1917 revolver was popular with US civilians and police during the interwar period. Not just surplus, many were newly-produced for the market. 2. The M1917 revolver was used by tunnel rats during the Vietnam War.
@@lavrentivs9891 silencers were few and far between. Revolvers were preferred over autos in the tunnels since it wasn’t uncommon that you would have to fire the weapon pressed against you or the walls around you. The slide of an auto would slam into you, your face, dirt, etc that would cause a malfunction and take it out of the fight
Eugene Sledge used one in combat as a Marine in World War II. Not issued, but sent to him in the mail from home. More M1917 revolvers were used in WWII than just the official issued- some guys brought their personal guns.
I've seen m1917 revolvers serving in Vietnam. Pilots used them, Tunnel Rats used them and even some MACV-SOG operators like "Mad Dog" Shriver used them.
Problem is - what do you do without those half-moon clips... :) You have to make sure to keep them after reloading or trust the army to always supply them. I guess you can also use a flathead screwdriver to get the cases out... Kind of what I used to carry a flathead screwdriver for back in the 90s, for a machine gun...
Really interesting episode about a somewhat overlooked US firearm. I had an interesting encounter with this very firearm as a 10 year old boy. At the end of the war, S&W and Colt were still producing the revolvers. The US military didn’t need as many revolvers since the 1911 automatic was being produced, also. There were other government agencies that ended up with the 1917 revolvers and one of the largest was the US Post Office. The idea was to arm the Post Office to prevent any robberies of mail or stamps. The vast majority of these revolvers ended up stored inside a vault, most, never to see the light of day. My dad had been appointed postmaster in my hometown in late 1961 (the postmaster job was a political appointment, at that time). I loved to go with him and visit his office. I was sitting at his desk a few weeks after he had started the job. I was opening and checking out each drawer on his antique desk. When I opened the lower right drawer, there was a large box marked, “US Post Office”. I took the top part of the box off and there, in the original shipping box, was a Smith and Wesson Model 1917! I was impressed! Dad had come back in and I ask him what this revolver was for. He said that it had been issued to the office but that it wasn’t on any inventory listing. I said, “Let’s take it home!” Of course, he said “No” and that he was shipping it back to the head Postal Inspector in St. Louis. I never saw that revolver again. I always wondered if someone else thought, “Let’s take it home”.
Still do to this day. There is a secret compartment in the Grumman LLV’s that stores a decrepit female mail clerk armed with this gun waiting to spring out.
Yes, they were. You can still find the US Postal Service marked holsters for them occasionally. Ian doesn't mention the production differences on the early SW pistols that had a grooved hammer and also the three letter inspectors marks on the early pistols as well.
John Pershing was a veteran of service on the frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Mexican Punitive Expedition. Some combination of those experiences probably drove his desire that every Soldier have a back-up weapon to their bolt action rifles. Alvin York pulled out an M1911 when he was rushed by multiple Germans and he didn't have time to reload.
My former boss was a warrant officer med-evac chopper pilot during the Vietnam war. He was issued a S&W 1917 new in the box. That revolver apparently "fell" out off the chopper and ended up at his home in Florida after he was discharged. A S&W Victory Model was issued to him as a replacement for the S&W 1917. When he requested a bit more firepower, they gave him two M3 Grease Guns.
I had a Colt and a S&W models of 1917 revolvers. I still have a S&W model 25 in .45acp. Half-moon clips, because they grasp the cartridges from the outside of the cylinder will catch on the boss cast into the left side of the frame to retain the cylinder as the ejector rod is pushed to the rear. Star clips that grasp 6 cartridges from the inside never foul this boss and eject with no drama.
I've never realized this when thinking about considerations of half vs full moons. But it does make sense. I have never owned or operated a moonclip revolver myself, but they are on my "Aquire List". And I believe a S&W 1917 is the only one I want that utilizes moon clips. Possibly a 1917 Colt or S&W Model 25 if the price is right.
@@tylerwilliams6022 I have an M1917 I bought for $79 in 1973 and a stainless 625 'Model of 1989' with the short cylinder and the full lug 5" barrel I bought in 1992. The 625 is, well, heavy but because of that recoil is almost nothing. It's an absolute treat to shoot!
@@rangerlongshot I will be 40 this year, and I kick myself for not getting certain milsurps when I should have. I could have atleast picked up a Mosin or SKS, or Makarov when they were still somewhat decently priced. I'm beyond jealous of the deals you must have seen in your lifetime. I'm not really into plastic or striker fired guns. Moreso WWII and Vietnam era milsurps and am also getting into western themed arms. Once I hit early adulthood I found that I am more of a 1911 guy than anything. Which is odd because as a kid I thought they were rather pedestrian and had no interest in them. But then again at age 16 I foolishly thought I had the world figured out. I've also come to love and appreciate Hi Powers too!
I surprised myself with how I fell in love with the big frame revolvers after I picked up a Colt M1917. They just shoot so comfortably. Been looking to add the S&W to complete the pair, but they seem to be harder to find and/or more highly cherished by their owners....
Mine has the S&W logo on the right side, the Lanyard loop, and crossed flag stamps, but no US 1917 marks, bomb stamps, nor "property of the United States" under the barrel (the barrel has been shortened to 4"). The cylinder was originally .455 Eley, but has been reamed to 45LC. I also picked up a 45 ACP cylinder. I don't have half moon clips, but I do have full moon clips. It has black plastic grips rather than wood.
I have one of the .455 British contract ones. Best .455 ever made. It is great to shoot, especially for a 'log chop' shoot. Perfect combination of that 265gn stopping power and a well made handgun. The firing pin is central which makes the LP primer friendly to the firearm. I also shoot a MkVI Webley 1918 model which is a bit roughly made (most of the skilled makers having volunteered for the front), however the pin gets damage by the shoulders of the LP primer. The original .455 was made for the larger diameter soft copper primer used in British firearms like .303 and .455. A note for reloading .455 projectiles with the hollow base - always wad the powder to keep it close to the primer. Wool wads work but I use card cut from the side of a cereal box. Not using a wad gives generally lower and inconsistent velocity, plus lures the ignorant into using more powder than you should. A .455 cast projectile weighing 275gn and travelling 955fps may seem cool but the cost of microwelding the cylinder retaining ring back on and finding replacement grips for the spalled ones from the recoil is not worth the excitement.
Yay, I finally own a gun in one of your excellent videos. Mine is in excellent condition considering it’s over 100 years old. My gun has a story. My uncle and cousins ran a dry cleaners. They specialized in smoke damage remediation with insurance companies. The 1917 S&W I was given came in to their facility in a coat pocket after a house fire. The house was in a notorious area known for old time mafia and gangsters. For a year they tried to return the gun and the owner refused to accept it or have any knowledge of it. It sat in a safe for over 40 years. When they closed the business they gave it to me. The revolver shoots nice and has one of the smoothest double actions of any of my handguns. I only wish that gun could talk. But knowing it’s history it probably wouldn’t talk even if it could.
I had one, sold it. I liked the trigger pull of the Colt 1917 more. An old Gun Digest Annual I have has an article on modifying the S&W 1917 to also use .45 Colt. I was going to do that, but then S&W came out with their M25-5 and just buying one of those was easier. 😊 S&W like Colt kept on making these right up till WW2 began. As stated here there was a bunch of them made for Brazil in 1937 with a Brazil crest on the side plate. Many of those came back into the US in the 80s and were sold relatively cheaply in Shotgun News. I once had one of those too. I believe I paid $109.95 (used Colt versions were about $420 in that era). Gosh I miss the prices in Shotgun News back in the 80s. :) The US Army MP Command (no longer exists) used to prefer the 1917s for use inside CONUS and used them till the mid 1960s when spare parts started to run out.
I think all in all, the Enfield 1917, the S&W / Colt 1917 and the Colt 1911 were the best small arms of World War one. Not perfect, just the best. Thanks Ian. Great job as always 👏.
I've got one of these that I bought at auction. It's got a factory letter stating that it was made in 1919. A cool thing besides the authenticity is the fact that in the 1950's someone sent it back to S&W and had it fitted for an extra cylinder in .45 Long Colt. It just takes a minute to swap cylinders to a different caliber. Somewhere along the line, it also got a nice trigger job and shoots great. And, yeah, I bought it because that's what Indiana Jones used and I bought it to expand my movie gun collection.
The Brazilian contract guns were broken into two series -- about half delivered before World War II, with the earlier hammer safety mechanism, and about half delivered after World War II with the later hammer safety mechanism. I have one of the early series... Damned fun gun to shoot, but I gave up on clips and bought a couple hundred Auto Rim cases from Star Line.
my grand dad has my great grandad's M1917 revolver that's nickle plated, engraved, and has a 1st calvary division emblem on the ivory grips. it's awesome
I think Pershing's idea of giving every infantryman a sidearm makes some sense in the context of the war on the Western front. It had been long-established by the warring powers that the long rifle - even a relatively short long rifle like the 1903 - loses most of its effectiveness in the cramped conditions of an enemy trench. If every Doughboy had a 1911 at their hip, or at least a 1917 Revolver, the American infantryman would be well-equipped for trench combat without having to resort to shovels and knives.
My great uncle was a WWII Coast Guard officer and this was his sidearm. His sister ( my grandmother) ended up with it, including the leather holster. Legend has it my grandfather allegedly bulged the barrel and cut the barrel down just forward of the ejector rod. I was able to procure a surplus Brazilian contract barrel and replace the barrel. It’s an occasional shooter now and its DA/SA trigger is still buttery smooth and lives in my safe next to my S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman (progressive cousins [ S frame which eventually became the current N frame]). GREAT VIDEO!
As reloading became more common in the 60's and 70's, there was some experimenting with these done to create a 'poor man's big-bore magnum' of sorts using standard cases, as the guns were relatively cheap and common back then which the 41 and 44 magnums weren't. It wasn't a good idea since the rounds might get used in something else with catastrophic results.
My late grandfather gave me an m1917 one Thanksgiving while i was in town. He had purchased it years ago from a truck driver down on his luck out on the road. He had never fired it, but it stayed in his sock drawer for years. I fired it once with my brother using some corbon 45 auto rim. Great pistol with interesting history. It is one of my most prized possessions.
This is one of those revolvers that I love looking at and fondling but never have enjoyed shooting. I think seeing War Daddy carry one in Fury made me finally jump on the band wagon. Such neat revolvers.
My dad had one back in the 80s. We cast wheel weights for bullets with cheap alox. Used blue dot powder because it took the least amount of powder to get it out the barrel. We probably shot that thing 3 or 4 thousand times. It was one of the most fun revolvers I ever shot. And with a proper load it was wicked accurate. He sold it in the mid 90s cheap. Then in the late 90s we saw them at gun shows for 800 to 1000. He really regretted selling it. And never would tell how cheap he sold it for.
When I was in the USAF. My roommate had one. He said it belong to his grandfather who fought in WW1. It was in good shape. His grand dad was with the Rainbow Div. Good video
I own one, and it is my favorite camp/adventuring/apocalypse revolver lol The only thing I don't actually like about the gun is the feel of the grip. I wrapped mine with athletic tape, both to protect the stocks and to pad agaisnt the harsh recoil. Though I would not recommend this - at all - I've shot modern defensive loads through it, without any issues, and it makes it a good outdoors companion. It'll also shoot all the cheap, crappy 45 ACP that doesn't feed well in other guns. It really is a fantastic handgun, even today, and if I could only have one it would probably be that one.
By the way, as I understand it, Smith was the first one to add the step to catch the case mouth, Colt relied entirely on the half-moon until they were in production.
Because the ACP is less-aggressive than a Long Colt, the weight of the gun tames recoil even more. This was a grail piece, for me, and worthy of the quest. Five-digit serial number, too, which only makes it more special, to me.
Ian, once again, you nailed it with a great review on a very princely old war horse. I have had one for over fifty years now, and never an issue. Many years ago, I converted mine from .455, to .45 long Colt, which also uses .45 acp., and shortened the barrel to 4" Out to fifty yards and farther it will stop any hostility, and give the wearer peace of mind in any weather. Today it sees time at the local shooting range, intriguing onlookers. Thank you for the very pleasant video
I remember the first time I ever saw this gun was in Rising Strom 2 vietnam. I used it a lot as a tunnel rat. The fact you could make your first shoot single action saved me so many times. Because in game the pistol because much more accurate in single action, and landing the first shot is vital in tunnel fighting.
The S&W M1917 revolver makes an appearance in the movie Fury, Brad Pitt's "Wardaddy" carries and uses one with plexiglass "sweetheart" grips holding a picture of his girl back home.
I used to own a SW Model 1955 in .45 ACP, to go along with my Gold Cup .45 Auto and my Colt Commander .45 Auto. It was a great pistol, very accurate, and nice to not have to reload 2 different calibers. I didn't know the history of the half-moon clip revolvers before. Awesome.
Finally! A "forgotten weapon" I can say I've got experience with! I use one round to defend myself and my dog from a bear. It was charging us, but one shot of .45 auto rim made his northbound charge an east bound retreat at speed. My favorite memory of both the dog who wanted to advance and put himself between me and the bear, and the Revolver that made it so all three of us had more time.
I have one of the latter Brazilian contract ones. Improved rear sight, but otherwise identical (other than markings of course). The Braz. contract guns had a square notch rear sight instead of semi-circle, and the initial order used commercial diamond grips rather than smooth military style ones.
These revolvers were very popular with tanker crews since if they had to fire a pistol in the confines of a tank, a revolver was preferred because it wouldn't send spent casings bouncing around the interior. Italian tankers preferred the older Bodeo revolvers in WWII for the same reason.
I love the 1917 revolvers. I prefer the smith over the colt. I think it's the best revolver issued in WW1 which is hilarious because it was our backup pick.
You can shoot the S&W without half moon clips and push the empties out with a stick or whatever if it were necessary, but not the Colt. The Colt doesn't have the step in the cylinder like the S&W for the case mouth to headspace on. Excellent engineering on the S&W! Without the half moon clips the Colt is useless.
The US during World Wars is that one friend that carries so many guns in his truck that he has enough to lend out to his friends and still have left over guns.
Lend/lease we (the UK) didn't finish paying for WW2 supplies from the US until the early 2000's - that means some of my tax money went to US manufacturers for a war that ended long before I was even born. Not complaining just saying.
@@jb8086 According to Wiki - The last payment was made on 29 December 2006 for the sum of about $83m USD (£45.5m) to the United States, and about $23.6m USD (£12m) to Canada.
I bought a 1955 SW Target version of this revolver back in the 1970s when I couldn't find a nice 1917. I was enamored with 45 ACP at the time. The half moon clips are not foolproof as they sometimes tilt outwards and skip over the extractor star during extraction. The more recent full moon clips hold 6 rounds and extract very reliably.
Very nice. One of my favorite revolvers. I believe S&W introduced their large frame 'hand ejector' with the extra lock in the brand new .44 special cartridge in 1907 or 1908 (just a lengthened .44 Russian). I heard the Smiths were more accurate than 1911's in the National Pistol Matches of the 1920's. The gap started to close when Colt introduced the pre-war National Match in the early 30's (that would make for a lovely FW episode). By the way, the Colt 1917, based in the New Service, was larger than the Smith. Thanks! Another awesome video!
Cool Smith and Wesson I’m a smith and Wesson man myself especially when it comes to revolvers just because 1 they are more reliable and 2 I prefer pushing forward then pulling backwards it’s a easier motion to do especially under stress like a timer
small nitpick: the Triple Lock was originally offered in .44 Special only, not .45 Colt far as I know Smith didn't offer any revolvers in .45 Colt until the mid-1970s (25-3 limited production, then 25-5 serial)
In the late 1960s bought one of these from a former WWI US Cavalry officer's aide. Still have it, still shoot it. I was at the range a few months back when a local police dept. was having a range day, and everybody had a great time firing this 100 year + old firearm. Of course, most of the guys had Glocks, and to a man were surprised at the unique recoil of the 1917, in that the entire firearm seems to rise instead of snapping back. Makes for quickly getting back on target, and except for the excessive double action trigger pull, could make a viable competition gun. Ian, thanks for this interesting and informative report. I would have liked seeing you fire it.
I have 2 of those that were my Gun Smith Grand Father's favorite hand gun. One he carried every where he went for years and years, well worn from all the use but well cared for. It still shoots fine. There is a depression era story associated with it that he and my dad both told me at different times, of it being used to put deer meat of opportunity on the table during a particllary hard time one winter out of season . The other one is as new condition in the factory paper , only shot once that I know of .
The triple lock is a big part of why Elmer Keith was able to pioneer the .357 and .44 magnums by making essentially .38 and .44 special +p+ with heavy bullets of his own design. The m1917 revolvers specifically was responsible for the .45 auto-rim. A rimmed .45 acp that does not need clips.
I did enjoy the video Ian! One thing I'd like to see more in your videos is how the trigger feels like. Is it heavy? Light? Sloppy? Etc. Most of us will never get to touch these old guns, so I'm always curious to hear how they feel.
I almost got one of these for my first handgun, would've been a steal at $400. I paid for it online and opted for in-store pickup st my lgs, and they called me to tell me it was at their Branchburg location and they'd ship it over here. Well lo and behold it had already sold and nobody removed it from the website.
And this model proved effective against swordsmen in an Egyptian market.
Indeed it did
Thank God for diarrhea! One of the greatest sight gags in movie history. IMHO anyway.
I'm just jonesing to have one now!
Especially if you are suffering from food poisoning.
@@xXx_T0M_xXx I see what you did
I'm Japanese. After World War II, the police were unarmed despite the deteriorating security situation in my country. For this reason, the US Government loaned surplus M1917 revolvers along with M1911 and other pistols. The M1917 was therefore at one time considered the typical handgun of Japanese police officers. the M1917 has since been replaced by domestic pistols, but they were still in use in the '90s! (Excuse me, I used a machine translation.)
Have you every watched Kurosawa's Stray Dog?
@@CollaborativeDataAccounts Unfortunately, I have not seen it.
Many cops in the US were still carrying model 10s through the early 90s.
Nice bit of added lore, thanks for sharing.
@@denisurodoma7623 You should watch it, it's one the best films ever made.
Back when Connecticut and Massachusetts were the heart of the gun industry in the US.
Before politics and taxes drove the gun companies away.
Living in NH means I picked up an M17 at the factory outlet. They had an M250 out on a table, and that thing is a beast.
Before the communists took over.
as an MA man who loves guns. it is a damn shame Springfield armory is what it is today. playing ww2 games and not even realizing until present day that like half of those American guns came from my state. not to mention the only 30 minute drive away was pretty cool. considering how anti gun MA is in reality, compared to the likes of like New Hampshire.
@@JACOBTHASECOND same from a CT man many of the guns that "won the west" were built here. We had Colt, S&W , Winchester Ruger, Mossberg etc.. Almost all production has left now. My 10/22 was built in NH for example instead of CT
My uncle was an officer in the Brazilian army and used one of those revolvers from the first Brazilian contract. Today, this gun is with me, along with the original box.
Awesome weapon I’ve got a returned one I bought it in the 80s it’s my house gun no muzzle blast little flash it more of a thumper in recoil my wife is a fan of it over a semiautomatic
I have one of those Brazilian contracted guns.
Ian, the next time you get the urge to run a revolver in a match designed for semi-autos, try one these with full moon clips.
This is one of my favorite historical revolvers
Same...I still have one of the Brazilian contract guns I got back in the 90s. Prewar Smiths are finely made and pretty undervalued today.
Never owned a revolver, but all of my reading tells me that if I can't get a Webley Mk VI then I want this in .455. I may have no clue what I'm talking about, but my list of desirable revolvers is very short. Also it disregards contemporary ammunition prices.
When Hermann Goring was captured this was the personal sidearm he surrendered. There is film/video of it.
My grandfather carried one in WWI. I don't know if it was a colt or a S&W because he died before I turned 8. I never saw it as I was too young. I think my uncle got the gun, though I do not know. He also got wounded and was carrying around shrapnel in his back. God bless him I wish I could of known him more as I grew up. Thank you for this video, very thorough and complete!
"Hope you guys enjoyed the video". How does one answer such understated excellence? How could we not?
When Desert Shield was ramping up, we shipped all our M9s to the desert. All we had left for SP's were a handful of various 38 Special revolvers (M15s). But we also came across several M1917 revolvers that were in the base museum (not on display). No, we didn't issue them. But depot requested we ship them back. I would assume for museum use.
When the USS FORT MCHENRY decommissioned in 2021 the armory was emptied and sent off to Crane. Inside we found an M15 38 special as well, very poorly maintained. Who knows how long it had been there, probably since the 80s
My brother was issued a WW2 Victory Model 38 Special at his request because it was lighter and everyone who worked outside the theater of operations wanted a 1911. They ended up using their sidearms because the entire country of Iraq was the theater of operations.
@PassivePortfolios my uncle was there as an MP and it was common for them to be issued to women because of the lower recoil supposedly.
@@poip202 that's understandable. Some people hated the 1911 and the Beretta which felt like holding a brick.
@@PassivePortfolios also forgot to add that he was a national guard guy so it was either a smooth bore 1911 or a model 38 hahaha
My dad had one of these. Finding the half moon clips was hard, but looking for them was a great bonding experience
My grandfather got one of these off of a British paratrooper in Korea. It was made in 1917 for the British Army (in .455), but re-chambered to .45 ACP by England. I would assume it fought with Britain in WW2, and made its way to Korea before being traded to my grandfather (he had a 1911, but always loved revolvers). I still have it to this day, thanks for the cool video explaining some of the history - I would love to see a video on the British or Canadian contracts one day!
That’s a very cool story! This is less of a forgotten weapon and more of an unknown weapon for me, so it was interesting to learn about the, and then to hear from someone who has one with a real back story!
Please hold onto it my friend. They ARE lovely revolvers. Before UK laws changed, I had one for many years in .455, and single OR double action, it shot a DREAM, with lovely smooth pull but crisp break. Superb piece of craftsmanship
Why did they revert it back to .45? Britain was moving to 9mm, so that seems like a waste of resources.
@@liammeech3702 I have no idea!
@@liammeech3702 The U.K. imported large quantities of .45 ACP during World War 2, as the British were using several weapons chambered for that caliber (Thompson, 1911, etc.). Converting a .455 revolver to 9mm would have been costly, time consuming, unnecessary. However, converting that same revolver to .45 ACP would not only be simpler and cheaper, but would also be able to take advantage of the surplus stores that the U.K. still had on hand. Sidenote: it's also important to remember that while some Hi-Powers were in British service during the Korean War, it wouldn't be adopted as the British standard service sidearm until 1954.
I own a S&W M1917 that was parkerized and re-issued in World War 2. It's one of my favorites.
My grandfather had one of these in ww2 and my dad has it now . I’ve told him there are very few things I want after him and mom pass but this is one of them.
"I lost out" on Dad's generational family 1897 from 1897 used every day for 50 plus years feeding our Ks family farms, I learned shotgunning.When pop's passed as I had kids, and a gun safe, told dad it was the only thing "I really" wanted for the family future to an older brother who could care less, no safe, and his kid slam fired it through a wall at 12 or 13? in the 80's! Ya just never know? Dads' chioces? no matter how well you thought you know your pops? My first gun per dad's permission was a kit 1858 in 1976 age 11, I paid for and built 100% she still shoots, and shines like a Diamond!
fun fact these were popular enough that the .45 auto rim cartridge was developed for them, and yes it is just a .45acp w/ a rim- exactly as it says on the tin.
I remember when it was common to find 45 Auto-Rim ammo in gun shops. Slowly disappeared in the 90s.
@@donwyoming1936I think Double tap still makes 45 auto rim
Holy heck, I did not know about that cartridge. And I see that Buffalo Bore is still making it! Wow.
I have 3 boxes of reloads my dad bought somewhere I am afraid to try in the gun.
Long story, bear with me. I inherited one of these from my grandfather, who bought it at an estate sale years back. I always thought it was a true M1917- has all the military markings, US hand grips, etc. when I tried to run .45ACP with half-moon clips, I couldn’t close the cylinder. Tried different brands of clips, still no-go. Did some research on the serial number, and it is actually a 1955-era reproduction of a USGI M1917 chambered only for .45LC, not an authentic WW1 revolver. Still a really cool gun, even if she’s not of WW1 vintage.
That's really interesting ! Wonder if they didn't find a huge crate of LC cylinders and made a "tribute replica" or whatever to clear stock?
🤔
Interesting, and really not that long. 😁
@@badnewsBHSeconded! Thanks for sharing
The Long Colt N-frames comes out in the 70’s. Everything before that was .45 ACP.
@@andywindes4968 ok zero.
A friend of mines Dad, was a Mule Skinner for Merrils Marauders in The CBI had the one he carried for the entire war. He gave it to his son who had it cleaned up and we shot it many times. The DA/SA trigger was one of the smoothest I have ever used.
Wanting to equip all troops with handguns made sense for WWI. I'd certainly rather have a double action revolver than try to wrestle a three and a half foot bolt action rifle around in a trench.
In WW1 type trench warfare, a powerful revolver was essential since there were not enough 1911's to arm the troops.
"Wanting to equip all troops with handguns made sense for WWI."
As much as people rightfully talk shit on WW1's generals for wasting their soldier's lives "fighting the last war", Pershing was right on the money on that one.
Specifically, it would have advantages if you got into the enemy's trench, or they got into yours and the fighting was all at close range.
I have to agree the rifles weren't bad by any means but they weren't the best for trenches.
@@georgetazberik6834 If it wasn't tanks, machine guns or mustard gas, every troop switching to their secondary becasue it was faster than reloading would have changed the face of global warfare anyway. Pershing was cash money on this.
My grandfather carried his in 2 world wars and one revolution. We, the family, still have it in our collection. It's been around. I bought one at a gun show 30 years ago. Nice!
The late Sean Connery would comment, “Your’s is a Smith & Wesson. And you’ve had your six!”
The revolver that made it on the top spot of C&Rsenal's "The Best and the Worst Great War Revolvers" video.
Love the classic S&W N-Frame.
Also Ian, to add more info on its use:
1. The M1917 revolver was popular with US civilians and police during the interwar period. Not just surplus, many were newly-produced for the market.
2. The M1917 revolver was used by tunnel rats during the Vietnam War.
I thought the tunnel rats prefered silenced weapons due to the nature of firing small arms in enclosed spaces. How come they used these revolvers?
@@lavrentivs9891 The revolvers were still much less loud than M1911s. I suspect its because of the cylinder gap.
@@lavrentivs9891 silencers were few and far between. Revolvers were preferred over autos in the tunnels since it wasn’t uncommon that you would have to fire the weapon pressed against you or the walls around you. The slide of an auto would slam into you, your face, dirt, etc that would cause a malfunction and take it out of the fight
@@jacobackley502 Thanks for the reply, you learn something every day =)
Eugene Sledge used one in combat as a Marine in World War II. Not issued, but sent to him in the mail from home. More M1917 revolvers were used in WWII than just the official issued- some guys brought their personal guns.
I can't believe they made a whole Brazilian of them.!
They made holes in Brazilians???
@@JohnSmith-pl2bk
We call then "fun holes" in English.... idk how to say it in Portuguese
No, Brazil bought 25,000 in 1937.
Bush, sweating nervously, "how many is a Brazilian?"
@@pars5027yes, and I own two of them
I've seen m1917 revolvers serving in Vietnam. Pilots used them, Tunnel Rats used them and even some MACV-SOG operators like "Mad Dog" Shriver used them.
5:50 The half-moon clip Ian explains is one of the coolest workarounds I've seen in a while. Yankee ingenuity at work.
Problem is - what do you do without those half-moon clips... :) You have to make sure to keep them after reloading or trust the army to always supply them. I guess you can also use a flathead screwdriver to get the cases out... Kind of what I used to carry a flathead screwdriver for back in the 90s, for a machine gun...
Really interesting episode about a somewhat overlooked US firearm. I had an interesting encounter with this very firearm as a 10 year old boy.
At the end of the war, S&W and Colt were still producing the revolvers. The US military didn’t need as many revolvers since the 1911 automatic was being produced, also. There were other government agencies that ended up with the 1917 revolvers and one of the largest was the US Post Office.
The idea was to arm the Post Office to prevent any robberies of mail or stamps. The vast majority of these revolvers ended up stored inside a vault, most, never to see the light of day.
My dad had been appointed postmaster in my hometown in late 1961 (the postmaster job was a political appointment, at that time). I loved to go with him and visit his office. I was sitting at his desk a few weeks after he had started the job. I was opening and checking out each drawer on his antique desk. When I opened the lower right drawer, there was a large box marked, “US Post Office”. I took the top part of the box off and there, in the original shipping box, was a Smith and Wesson Model 1917! I was impressed!
Dad had come back in and I ask him what this revolver was for. He said that it had been issued to the office but that it wasn’t on any inventory listing. I said, “Let’s take it home!” Of course, he said “No” and that he was shipping it back to the head Postal Inspector in St. Louis.
I never saw that revolver again. I always wondered if someone else thought, “Let’s take it home”.
Oh yes !
Why did the armed postmen policy change?
@@liammeech3702added cost to train postmen on carrying/using guns mostly
I read once they were issued to United States Postal Clerks to guard the Mails.
Still do to this day. There is a secret compartment in the Grumman LLV’s that stores a decrepit female mail clerk armed with this gun waiting to spring out.
Gives the phrase "Gone postal" a different meaning.
Yes, they were. You can still find the US Postal Service marked holsters for them occasionally. Ian doesn't mention the production differences on the early SW pistols that had a grooved hammer and also the three letter inspectors marks on the early pistols as well.
John Pershing was a veteran of service on the frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Mexican Punitive Expedition. Some combination of those experiences probably drove his desire that every Soldier have a back-up weapon to their bolt action rifles. Alvin York pulled out an M1911 when he was rushed by multiple Germans and he didn't have time to reload.
My former boss was a warrant officer med-evac chopper pilot during the Vietnam war. He was issued a S&W 1917 new in the box. That revolver apparently "fell" out off the chopper and ended up at his home in Florida after he was discharged. A S&W Victory Model was issued to him as a replacement for the S&W 1917. When he requested a bit more firepower, they gave him two M3 Grease Guns.
I had a Colt and a S&W models of 1917 revolvers. I still have a S&W model 25 in .45acp. Half-moon clips, because they grasp the cartridges from the outside of the cylinder will catch on the boss cast into the left side of the frame to retain the cylinder as the ejector rod is pushed to the rear. Star clips that grasp 6 cartridges from the inside never foul this boss and eject with no drama.
I've never realized this when thinking about considerations of half vs full moons. But it does make sense. I have never owned or operated a moonclip revolver myself, but they are on my "Aquire List".
And I believe a S&W 1917 is the only one I want that utilizes moon clips.
Possibly a 1917 Colt or S&W Model 25 if the price is right.
@@tylerwilliams6022 I have an M1917 I bought for $79 in 1973 and a stainless 625 'Model of 1989' with the short cylinder and the full lug 5" barrel I bought in 1992. The 625 is, well, heavy but because of that recoil is almost nothing. It's an absolute treat to shoot!
@@rangerlongshot I will be 40 this year, and I kick myself for not getting certain milsurps when I should have.
I could have atleast picked up a Mosin or SKS, or Makarov when they were still somewhat decently priced. I'm beyond jealous of the deals you must have seen in your lifetime. I'm not really into plastic or striker fired guns. Moreso WWII and Vietnam era milsurps and am also getting into western themed arms. Once I hit early adulthood I found that I am more of a 1911 guy than anything. Which is odd because as a kid I thought they were rather pedestrian and had no interest in them. But then again at age 16 I foolishly thought I had the world figured out. I've also come to love and appreciate Hi Powers too!
Mae and Othais approved. Best wheel gat of the Great War
Had a Brazilian contract back in the 80s. Unbelievably accurate with my handloads. Benched at 25 yards made one ragged whole in the bull.
I surprised myself with how I fell in love with the big frame revolvers after I picked up a Colt M1917. They just shoot so comfortably. Been looking to add the S&W to complete the pair, but they seem to be harder to find and/or more highly cherished by their owners....
Mine has the S&W logo on the right side, the Lanyard loop, and crossed flag stamps, but no US 1917 marks, bomb stamps, nor "property of the United States" under the barrel (the barrel has been shortened to 4"). The cylinder was originally .455 Eley, but has been reamed to 45LC. I also picked up a 45 ACP cylinder. I don't have half moon clips, but I do have full moon clips. It has black plastic grips rather than wood.
Moon clips are beautiful bridge of rimless cartridges and revolvers
"Mr Smith, Mr Wesson. Glad you could make it." Sam Stone 2011
You can't be Serious. I think I'm going Mental over here.
I have one of the .455 British contract ones. Best .455 ever made. It is great to shoot, especially for a 'log chop' shoot. Perfect combination of that 265gn stopping power and a well made handgun. The firing pin is central which makes the LP primer friendly to the firearm. I also shoot a MkVI Webley 1918 model which is a bit roughly made (most of the skilled makers having volunteered for the front), however the pin gets damage by the shoulders of the LP primer. The original .455 was made for the larger diameter soft copper primer used in British firearms like .303 and .455. A note for reloading .455 projectiles with the hollow base - always wad the powder to keep it close to the primer. Wool wads work but I use card cut from the side of a cereal box. Not using a wad gives generally lower and inconsistent velocity, plus lures the ignorant into using more powder than you should. A .455 cast projectile weighing 275gn and travelling 955fps may seem cool but the cost of microwelding the cylinder retaining ring back on and finding replacement grips for the spalled ones from the recoil is not worth the excitement.
Yay, I finally own a gun in one of your excellent videos. Mine is in excellent condition considering it’s over 100 years old. My gun has a story. My uncle and cousins ran a dry cleaners. They specialized in smoke damage remediation with insurance companies. The 1917 S&W I was given came in to their facility in a coat pocket after a house fire. The house was in a notorious area known for old time mafia and gangsters. For a year they tried to return the gun and the owner refused to accept it or have any knowledge of it. It sat in a safe for over 40 years. When they closed the business they gave it to me. The revolver shoots nice and has one of the smoothest double actions of any of my handguns. I only wish that gun could talk. But knowing it’s history it probably wouldn’t talk even if it could.
It could talk, but then it would have to kill you.
LOL.
It probably murdered someone and that's why they don't want it back. Some stories are better not being talked about online.
Whatever possible event it may have been in would have occurred 80-100 years ago.
It knows if it were to talk, it'd end up in a pair of concrete galoshes.
I had one, sold it. I liked the trigger pull of the Colt 1917 more. An old Gun Digest Annual I have has an article on modifying the S&W 1917 to also use .45 Colt. I was going to do that, but then S&W came out with their M25-5 and just buying one of those was easier. 😊 S&W like Colt kept on making these right up till WW2 began. As stated here there was a bunch of them made for Brazil in 1937 with a Brazil crest on the side plate. Many of those came back into the US in the 80s and were sold relatively cheaply in Shotgun News. I once had one of those too. I believe I paid $109.95 (used Colt versions were about $420 in that era). Gosh I miss the prices in Shotgun News back in the 80s. :) The US Army MP Command (no longer exists) used to prefer the 1917s for use inside CONUS and used them till the mid 1960s when spare parts started to run out.
I think all in all, the Enfield 1917, the S&W / Colt 1917 and the Colt 1911 were the best small arms of World War one. Not perfect, just the best. Thanks Ian. Great job as always 👏.
Both historically and engineeringally interesting, thank you Ian
I've got one of these that I bought at auction. It's got a factory letter stating that it was made in 1919. A cool thing besides the authenticity is the fact that in the 1950's someone sent it back to S&W and had it fitted for an extra cylinder in .45 Long Colt. It just takes a minute to swap cylinders to a different caliber. Somewhere along the line, it also got a nice trigger job and shoots great. And, yeah, I bought it because that's what Indiana Jones used and I bought it to expand my movie gun collection.
The Brazilian contract guns were broken into two series -- about half delivered before World War II, with the earlier hammer safety mechanism, and about half delivered after World War II with the later hammer safety mechanism. I have one of the early series... Damned fun gun to shoot, but I gave up on clips and bought a couple hundred Auto Rim cases from Star Line.
I just checked Starline… out of stock for the foreseeable future.
@@samiam619 Bummer!
One of my favorite looking revolvers.
My great-grandad carried one of these in WWI, we still have it with the original holster.
Veinard!🤠
My great grandfather carried the Colt version in WWI and we still have it in its original holster.
my grand dad has my great grandad's M1917 revolver that's nickle plated, engraved, and has a 1st calvary division emblem on the ivory grips. it's awesome
I think Pershing's idea of giving every infantryman a sidearm makes some sense in the context of the war on the Western front. It had been long-established by the warring powers that the long rifle - even a relatively short long rifle like the 1903 - loses most of its effectiveness in the cramped conditions of an enemy trench. If every Doughboy had a 1911 at their hip, or at least a 1917 Revolver, the American infantryman would be well-equipped for trench combat without having to resort to shovels and knives.
My great uncle was a WWII Coast Guard officer and this was his sidearm. His sister ( my grandmother) ended up with it, including the leather holster. Legend has it my grandfather allegedly bulged the barrel and cut the barrel down just forward of the ejector rod. I was able to procure a surplus Brazilian contract barrel and replace the barrel. It’s an occasional shooter now and its DA/SA trigger is still buttery smooth and lives in my safe next to my S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman (progressive cousins [ S frame which eventually became the current N frame]). GREAT VIDEO!
The N-Frame is my favorite S&W frame, and .45 ACP makes a pretty good revolver round.
As reloading became more common in the 60's and 70's, there was some experimenting with these done to create a 'poor man's big-bore magnum' of sorts using standard cases, as the guns were relatively cheap and common back then which the 41 and 44 magnums weren't. It wasn't a good idea since the rounds might get used in something else with catastrophic results.
my favorite revolver of all time
My father was British Royal artillery mororcycle dispatch rider in WW2 1939-46 and always carried a .45 ACP revolver of American manufacture.
My late grandfather gave me an m1917 one Thanksgiving while i was in town. He had purchased it years ago from a truck driver down on his luck out on the road. He had never fired it, but it stayed in his sock drawer for years. I fired it once with my brother using some corbon 45 auto rim. Great pistol with interesting history. It is one of my most prized possessions.
Ensure that historical artifacts make it to a museum.
This is one of those revolvers that I love looking at and fondling but never have enjoyed shooting. I think seeing War Daddy carry one in Fury made me finally jump on the band wagon. Such neat revolvers.
My dad had one back in the 80s. We cast wheel weights for bullets with cheap alox. Used blue dot powder because it took the least amount of powder to get it out the barrel. We probably shot that thing 3 or 4 thousand times. It was one of the most fun revolvers I ever shot. And with a proper load it was wicked accurate. He sold it in the mid 90s cheap. Then in the late 90s we saw them at gun shows for 800 to 1000. He really regretted selling it. And never would tell how cheap he sold it for.
When I was in the USAF. My roommate had one. He said it belong to his grandfather who fought in WW1. It was in good shape. His grand dad was with the Rainbow Div. Good video
I seem to remember reading an article by Jeff Cooper many years ago where he was talking about still carrying an M1917 in Korea.
Just reading wikipedia and it says they were used by the tunnel rats and other specialty troops 50 years of service pretty cool .
I own one, and it is my favorite camp/adventuring/apocalypse revolver lol The only thing I don't actually like about the gun is the feel of the grip. I wrapped mine with athletic tape, both to protect the stocks and to pad agaisnt the harsh recoil. Though I would not recommend this - at all - I've shot modern defensive loads through it, without any issues, and it makes it a good outdoors companion. It'll also shoot all the cheap, crappy 45 ACP that doesn't feed well in other guns. It really is a fantastic handgun, even today, and if I could only have one it would probably be that one.
I picked up an all original WW1 issued Colt M1917 last year. I have always wanted one.
By the way, as I understand it, Smith was the first one to add the step to catch the case mouth, Colt relied entirely on the half-moon until they were in production.
Smith had a case mouth step on all of their 1917 revolvers. Colts were bored through only for the first 5000 as I recall.
I’ve got one, was issued and carried by my GG grandfather through WW1 and then by my grandpa through WW2.
Because the ACP is less-aggressive than a Long Colt, the weight of the gun tames recoil even more. This was a grail piece, for me, and worthy of the quest. Five-digit serial number, too, which only makes it more special, to me.
I have a 5 digit serial number gun to. Mine has the serrated hammer. Great pistol for sure.
Ian, once again, you nailed it with a great review on a very princely old war horse. I have had one for over fifty years now, and never an issue.
Many years ago, I converted mine from .455, to .45 long Colt, which also uses .45 acp., and shortened the barrel to 4"
Out to fifty yards and farther it will stop any hostility, and give the wearer peace of mind in any weather.
Today it sees time at the local shooting range, intriguing onlookers.
Thank you for the very pleasant video
Thanks for this overview!
Absolute favorite sidearm in Hunt: Showdown.
I remember the first time I ever saw this gun was in Rising Strom 2 vietnam. I used it a lot as a tunnel rat. The fact you could make your first shoot single action saved me so many times. Because in game the pistol because much more accurate in single action, and landing the first shot is vital in tunnel fighting.
The S&W M1917 revolver makes an appearance in the movie Fury, Brad Pitt's "Wardaddy" carries and uses one with plexiglass "sweetheart" grips holding a picture of his girl back home.
I used to own a SW Model 1955 in .45 ACP, to go along with my Gold Cup .45 Auto and my Colt Commander .45 Auto. It was a great pistol, very accurate, and nice to not have to reload 2 different calibers. I didn't know the history of the half-moon clip revolvers before. Awesome.
Finally! A "forgotten weapon" I can say I've got experience with!
I use one round to defend myself and my dog from a bear. It was charging us, but one shot of .45 auto rim made his northbound charge an east bound retreat at speed. My favorite memory of both the dog who wanted to advance and put himself between me and the bear, and the Revolver that made it so all three of us had more time.
Such a cool revolver. Collection bucket list material.
I have one of the latter Brazilian contract ones. Improved rear sight, but otherwise identical (other than markings of course). The Braz. contract guns had a square notch rear sight instead of semi-circle, and the initial order used commercial diamond grips rather than smooth military style ones.
I have the Colt 1917 45 acp U S Army. Always thought the Smith was better looking. One just never came my way. Love my Colt anyway.
I don't think I have fired a more enjoyable revolver than this model, and I suspect that it will not be surpassed any time soon.
Thank you Ian, as always.
I have a Classics Line remake of the M1917. It is an excellent revolver.
my favorite revolver
I have a Ruger 9mm j frame with a full moon clip. Love the lineage of autoloading cartridges in revolvers. It's nice for personal logistics.
These revolvers were very popular with tanker crews since if they had to fire a pistol in the confines of a tank, a revolver was preferred because it wouldn't send spent casings bouncing around the interior. Italian tankers preferred the older Bodeo revolvers in WWII for the same reason.
I find it a very handsome pistol, also like a platonic form of a revolver, iconic.
My dad carried a S&W 1917 in Vietnam on Tunnel Rat Duty.
Thanks!
I have always wanted one of these.
I love the 1917 revolvers. I prefer the smith over the colt. I think it's the best revolver issued in WW1 which is hilarious because it was our backup pick.
You can shoot the S&W without half moon clips and push the empties out with a stick or whatever if it were necessary, but not the Colt. The Colt doesn't have the step in the cylinder like the S&W for the case mouth to headspace on. Excellent engineering on the S&W! Without the half moon clips the Colt is useless.
Only the very early Colts lacked the chamber step.
@@Rocketsong I didn't know that thanks
Thanks! I’ve always wondered about that, concerning the Colts.
The US during World Wars is that one friend that carries so many guns in his truck that he has enough to lend out to his friends and still have left over guns.
This comment brought joy to my heart. Be that friend.
USA was the country, which claimed to be neutral.
Lend/lease we (the UK) didn't finish paying for WW2 supplies from the US until the early 2000's - that means some of my tax money went to US manufacturers for a war that ended long before I was even born. Not complaining just saying.
Now that is interesting, I had no idea it took anywhere near that long.
@@jb8086 According to Wiki - The last payment was made on 29 December 2006 for the sum of about $83m USD (£45.5m) to the United States, and about $23.6m USD (£12m) to Canada.
I bought a 1955 SW Target version of this revolver back in the 1970s when I couldn't find a nice 1917. I was enamored with 45 ACP at the time. The half moon clips are not foolproof as they sometimes tilt outwards and skip over the extractor star during extraction. The more recent full moon clips hold 6 rounds and extract very reliably.
Very nice. One of my favorite revolvers. I believe S&W introduced their large frame 'hand ejector' with the extra lock in the brand new .44 special cartridge in 1907 or 1908 (just a lengthened .44 Russian).
I heard the Smiths were more accurate than 1911's in the National Pistol Matches of the 1920's. The gap started to close when Colt introduced the pre-war National Match in the early 30's (that would make for a lovely FW episode).
By the way, the Colt 1917, based in the New Service, was larger than the Smith.
Thanks! Another awesome video!
Ahh! You didn't bring up .45 auto rim! A cartridge developed for the revolvers.
Cool Smith and Wesson I’m a smith and Wesson man myself especially when it comes to revolvers just because 1 they are more reliable and 2 I prefer pushing forward then pulling backwards it’s a easier motion to do especially under stress like a timer
Glad you mentioned the Brazilian connection. I have one of the Brazilian S&Ws
small nitpick: the Triple Lock was originally offered in .44 Special only, not .45 Colt
far as I know Smith didn't offer any revolvers in .45 Colt until the mid-1970s (25-3 limited production, then 25-5 serial)
The New Service was not only chambered in 45 Colt, it was adopted by the military in 1909 until the 1911 came out to replace the 38 cal DA revolvers!
This video answered so many questions for me, very well done!
not forgotten weapons! forget the weapons. it saves lives
In the early 1960s these revolvers were selling for $24.95 at Klein's sporting goods in Chicago.
In the late 1960s bought one of these from a former WWI US Cavalry officer's aide. Still have it, still shoot it. I was at the range a few months back when a local police dept. was having a range day, and everybody had a great time firing this 100 year + old firearm. Of course, most of the guys had Glocks, and to a man were surprised at the unique recoil of the 1917, in that the entire firearm seems to rise instead of snapping back. Makes for quickly getting back on target, and except for the excessive double action trigger pull, could make a viable competition gun. Ian, thanks for this interesting and informative report. I would have liked seeing you fire it.
I have 2 of those that were my Gun Smith Grand Father's favorite hand gun. One he carried every where he went for years and years, well worn from all the use but well cared for. It still shoots fine. There is a depression era story associated with it that he and my dad both told me at different times, of it being used to put deer meat of opportunity on the table during a particllary hard time one winter out of season . The other one is as new condition in the factory paper , only shot once that I know of .
Beautiful old gun.
The triple lock is a big part of why Elmer Keith was able to pioneer the .357 and .44 magnums by making essentially .38 and .44 special +p+ with heavy bullets of his own design. The m1917 revolvers specifically was responsible for the .45 auto-rim. A rimmed .45 acp that does not need clips.
I did enjoy the video Ian!
One thing I'd like to see more in your videos is how the trigger feels like. Is it heavy? Light? Sloppy? Etc.
Most of us will never get to touch these old guns, so I'm always curious to hear how they feel.
Smith needs to make these again
they did just recently.
Nice pistol.
I almost got one of these for my first handgun, would've been a steal at $400. I paid for it online and opted for in-store pickup st my lgs, and they called me to tell me it was at their Branchburg location and they'd ship it over here. Well lo and behold it had already sold and nobody removed it from the website.