Small Arms of WWI Primer 104: S&W 1917

Yeah, the going theory is this one was modified.

C&Rsenal

I would hope they didn't hand out loose ammo

C&Rsenal

Hey Othias, I have a sub-5000 serial number S&W M1917 and it does have the rebated chamber and I've fired it without clips. I brought it to Michael's but I don't think we fired it that day. Marty and Bob have seen it though. It also has the ribbed hammer and CHS stamp above the latch.

Jasper Welsch

@ 30:02 -- Mae, wannabe manatee wrangler! The truth is finally revealed! Herd'em up & head'em out, yeehah! Saddle up the jet-ski & lacquer up your shot loads [for the water mocs], there's sea cows running wild! X-D

Bruce Brodnax

@ ~ 27:05 -- The superiority of the M1917 revolvers over the other Great War competition begins with the cartridge; once you have that [arrived at from decades of American frontier experience with the 1873 Colt SAA, thru failed experiments with .38cal chamberings in the Philippines, etc.] and combine it with the evolved revolver designs from the world's premier revolver makers [whose combined experience encompasses the milestones of firearm development over the preceding 80 years or so] it is unsurprising that the U.S. ended up with some kick-ass wheelguns. I own the S&W M1917's lineal descendant, a 625 in .45acp which was previously part of my (now deceased) paternal uncle's collection, and a stack of full-moon clips ['cause the half-moons cost more per piece, despite needing twice as many] because they really do make a HUMONGOUS difference. Kind of surprised that S&W hasn't taken advantage of their new X-frame by developing an appropriate moon-clip & offering a quick-loading hand cannon in .50AE. Wheee, that would be fun!

Bruce Brodnax

I can just imagine being the one guy in my company who was issued the 1917 without the rebated cylinder trying desperately to explain to my sergeant why I couldn't perform the drill like everyone else in my unit.

Wayne Dygert

To quote C. Montgomery Burns: Excellent.

Björn Ragnar

Also, interesting that some early S&W 1917’s didn’t have the rebated cylinder. Mine is in the early 11000’s and does have the rebate, so this surprised me greatly.

Waiting quite some time for this. Ecstatic that it’s here. Will now sit down with my S&W 1917 and not sleep. Thank you!!