Smith & Wesson Model 1917 U.S. Army Contract .45 ACP Revolver, 5.5 in Barrel, 1918, Blued, Matching Serials, U.S. Property & British BNP Proofs
This 1918 Smith & Wesson Model 1917 U.S. Army Contract revolver is a WWI-era N-frame .45 with matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder face, and extractor star. It bears U.S. military property and acceptance markings along with later British commercial proof marks, documenting both its U.S. service roots and subsequent export history.
The revolver retains its correct 5.5-inch barrel, fixed service sights, blued finish, smooth walnut service stocks, and lanyard swivel on the butt.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Details: This firearm is in great shape. There are some minor and superficial scratches and blemishes present.
What's Included
- Smith & Wesson Model 1917 U.S. Army Contract revolver, .45 ACP
Built on the large S&W N-frame and part of the .45 Hand Ejector lineage, the Model 1917 was adopted to supply .45 ACP sidearms during WWI. This example retains the correct 5.5-inch barrel and fixed service sights with a half-moon front blade and a rear groove in the topstrap. It is chambered in .45 ACP for use with half- or full-moon clips and can also fire .45 Auto Rim cartridges.
U.S. military markings include UNITED STATES PROPERTY and the ordnance flaming bomb, along with the S2 Springfield Armory sub-inspection mark. The S2 stamp identifies inspector Gilbert H. Stewart, providing clear acceptance and inspection provenance for this U.S. Army contract revolver.
Additional proofing on this revolver includes British BNP markings, crown-over-BNP, and ".45 900 7 TONS," indicating later British commercial proofing and export. The combination of U.S. martial marks and British proofs adds well-documented historical context to this piece.
Key features include matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder face, and extractor star, a blued carbon steel frame and cylinder, smooth walnut service stocks with escutcheons, an exposed hammer with a checkered spur, and a smooth trigger. A lanyard swivel is fitted to the butt, as specified for service use. The barrel carries the S&W address/patent line, consistent with the period.