COLT 1917 vs NEW SERVICE-WHATS THE DIFFERENCE

[EDELWEISS]

OK,its time for me to admit my ignorance again.  I have a OLD Colt that some previous owner shortened the barrel so there are no markings.  All I really know is that its 45.  How do I tell if its a New Service or 1917?  The "cut down" was pretty crude and Id like to TRY to put it back to original status, but again Im not sure what that should be.

Can anybody tell me the difference or better can you offer pictures and point out the differences.

Thanks

[John Traveler]

The Colt New Service revolver was introduced in the early years of the 1900's as a large frame revolver chambered in many rimmed calibers, including .44
special, .38-40, .44-40, .45 Colt, .455 webley, etc.  Later calibers included .38 special and .45 ACP.  It was made up to 1940 and production did not resume after WWII.

The Colt M1917 was only made during 1917-1918 to fulfill a US Military requirement for a .45 ACP revolver due to a shortage of M1911 pistols.  S&W came up with the idea of using half-moon clips for loading, firing, and extracting the rimless .45 ACP cartridge in a revolver.  Both companies produced about 150,000 revolvers each, with a utilitarian brushed or dull blue finish.  The pre and post WWI revolvers had higher polish Colt bluing.  The earliest production of several thousand guns had bored thru chambers, and could only be fired using half-moon clips.  All later Colt production, and all S&W production used the stepped .45 ACP chamber which allowed firing without half-moon clips.

To be properly called a M1917, the revolver has to be chambered for .45 ACP, carry US Property markings on the barrel, be fitted with a lanyard loop, and have a serial number within the range of New Service models.  Various Government markings on the butt and frame also apply.  If your gun is missing some or all of these features, it is a civilian New Service revolver.

HTH
John

[EDELWEISS]

OK???, So if mine has no markings on the barrel because it was chopped off ,AND the cylinder is bored straight, AND its 45 caliber(exactly which 45 I havent yet figured out), AND the finish is virtually not existent , CAN I safely call it a New Service?  My plan is to put a full length barrel on it and re-finish it, to look "WW1-ish".

The re-finish presents some issues of its own, as the gun must have spent time under water???  Theres no pitting but it looks and feels like a piece of slate.  If you can imagine large wavey sections on everything including the barrel and cylinder.  Ive had it checked and even though I have no intention of shooting it, the smith says it should be OK with moderate loads.  The amazing think is the "Horsey" is still visable.  I was going to see about a bead blast first then a matte blue.

What kind of grips should it have?  The plastic stag that it came with dont fit well.  I had considered ivory(poly), if the military look doesnt go well.

Any suggestions?

[stuffit]

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

Take a trip over here if you want to find a panel of exerts (no aspersions on anyone here, certainly not)  But these guys are the best source I've encountered on the kind of information you seem to be seeking.
 
stuffit

[John Traveler]

The revolver is definitely a Colt New Service model.  What will determine if it is an M1917 is the chambering and the serial number.

Does it have, or used to have, a butt-mounted lanyard swivel?

Does a .45 Colt cartridge fit into the chamber?  Does a .45 Auto Rim fit?  Does a .45 ACP fit using a halfmoon clip?  An M1917 will accept .45 ACP with clip and the .45 Auto Rim by itself.  If your gun is NOT an M1917, the cylinder will not close on the thicker rims of the AR or the ACP with clips.

If the gun is an M1917, it is worth restoring with a .45 ACP barrel and plain oiled walnut grips.

[gooser]

John Traveler, I have a 1917 in .357 mag, with a 8 3/8 bbl. It had the lanyard ring and US Army with a number stamped on the butt.I put pachmyer grips on it and kept the originals along with the lanyard ring and swivel. I have been told it was an officers gun. It also has a micro rear sight on it.I have pics posted in the double action forum, 1917 bull barrel topic.
 Have you ever heard of one in this caliber?
 Thanks,
 gooser

[John Traveler]

Your M1917 revolver has been re-cylindered and re-barreled.  The .357 cartridge was not introduced until the mid-1930's.

Some civilian New Service revolvers may have been produced during 1935-1940, but they are somewhat rare.  The closest standard production was a run made for the Border Patrol in .38 Special.

The lanyard ring and Micro sights are additional clues that this is a custom gun.  The Micro sight was not introduced until the late 1940's-early 1950's became a favored Colt aftermarket rear sight for a couple generations.

If you check your serial number, it will probably fall within the WWI production range as the US Army markings on the butt..

[gooser]

 Thanks J.T.           

[EDELWEISS]

Thanks guys, heres what I can tell you.  The only marking I can find besides the serial #(3273xx), is the "horsey".  The butt has a hole for the missing lanyard ring but no other markings and the cylinder is bored straight. 

Any ideas?