Auction find. Colt Army Model 1917

Maybe I'll just bite the bullet and pay for a letter from the factory. Might tell me something.
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Do it! A piece of history like that should have it's back history in order. Even if it turns out to be not too remarkable it sure would be nice to have it's 'official' pedigree available when you take it to the range or show it off to your friends and relatives. Probably a son, daughter, niece or nephew that might be nicer to you once you show it to them.

It's definitely a handsome pistol! I'd have jumped on it at that price too.

Pardon me for asking but did we ever establish if it was a .45 ACP or a .45 Colt (sometimes referred to as a '.45 Long Colt')?
 
As far as I know all the wartime Model 1917s are .45 ACP and take moon clips. I believe the original moon clips issued were half-moons, but they will take the full clips as well (the same ones I use with my S&W 625-3).
 
The Model 1917 revolvers (Colt and S&W) are chambered for the rimless .45 ACP and must use clips to extract the fired cases normally. The earliest Colts (before about New Service serial 161xxx or Army serial 11000) had no shoulders in the chambers and clips were needed to fire the revolver. Apparently most of those cylinders were later replaced.

All S&W 1917's had the shoulder and so can be fired without clips, though clips are needed for normal extraction.

Even the early Colts cannot be fired with .45 Colt. The round will fit, but the headspace is made for the .45 ACP and a clip, so it is excessive for the .45 Colt.

Jim
 
Pardon me for asking but did we ever establish if it was a .45 ACP or a .45 Colt (sometimes referred to as a '.45 Long Colt')?
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It's 45acp. I took it to the range yesterday. Shot the center out of my target from the twelve yard line. Very little recoil.
 
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I had to go out & get one, as I came across a bucket load of 45 Autorim cases at scrap price... ( another case of had to buy a gun because I had cases for it ) your's is so much nicer looking than mine... mine is an old war horse, & looks the part... but still functions & shoots well... congrats on getting one of the nicest looking 1917's I've seen...
 
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